A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

The Runnymeade - Plan #1164

Donald A. Gardner Architects

Compact yet charming, this home includes all the details of a much larger home. The European exterior features a stone entrance and copper roofing over the bedroom/study window. The interior consists of tray ceilings in almost every common room, granting a luxurious feel to each. The breakfast room is hugged by a bow window, as is the master bedroom. For entertaining, the breakfast room, great room, kitchen and dining room are all just a step away from one another. The generous utility room is sure to please any homeowner and is just off the garage. Ideal for outdoor entertaining, the sprawling porch and patio are an added bonus, and the fireplace on the porch is a great way to keep warm during cooler months. Perfectly positioned, the bedrooms ensure privacy from one another. Two secondary bedrooms share a bath and the elegant master suite is located in the rear of the home. Built by CVS Builders, LLC: http://www.cvsbuilders.com Photo by G. Frank Hart Photography: http://www.gfrankhartphoto.com/

Traditional Front Porch

Highland Homes, Inc.

Tuscan Columns & Brick Porch
Inspiration for a large traditional two-storey beige exterior in New Orleans with mixed siding and a hip roof.

Modern Transitional Custom Home in Ann Arbor

Forward Design Build Remodel

Our clients relocated to Ann Arbor and struggled to find an open layout home that was fully functional for their family. We worked to create a modern inspired home with convenient features and beautiful finishes. This 4,500 square foot home includes 6 bedrooms, and 5.5 baths. In addition to that, there is a 2,000 square feet beautifully finished basement. It has a semi-open layout with clean lines to adjacent spaces, and provides optimum entertaining for both adults and kids. The interior and exterior of the home has a combination of modern and transitional styles with contrasting finishes mixed with warm wood tones and geometric patterns.

winter park mountain home

jennifer rhode design

This is an example of a large country two-storey brown house exterior in Denver with mixed siding, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Bow Mar Ranch Remodel

KGA Studio Architects, PC

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional one-storey white house exterior in Denver with mixed siding and a black roof.

Cedar Point: Modern Home

Timberlake Custom Homes

mid-century design with organic feel for the lake and surrounding mountains
Design ideas for a large midcentury one-storey green house exterior in Atlanta with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a brown roof and board and batten siding.

Wallingford Second Story

H2D Architecture + Design

H2D Architecture + Design worked with the homeowners to design a second story addition on their existing home in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. The second story is designed with three bedrooms, storage space, new stair, and roof deck overlooking to views of the lake beyond. Design by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com #seattlearchitect #h2darchitects #secondstoryseattle Photos by: Porchlight Imaging Built by: Crescent Builds

Modern Farmhouse

Brad Ramsey Interiors

Photo of a large country two-storey house exterior in Nashville with mixed siding, a mixed roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Modern Farmhouse with Golf Simulator

Wyrick Residential Design

black and white xblack board and batten xblack frame windows xcedar accents xcedar posts xglass entry doors xlight and bright xmodern farmhouse xpainted brick xwhite brick xnatural light xbig front porch x

Asheville, NC-Contemporary Craftsman

Wright Jenkins Home Design

Mid-sized arts and crafts one-storey black house exterior in Other with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Lakeshore Modern Farmhouse

Livingston Homes of West Michigan

Large country one-storey white house exterior in Grand Rapids with mixed siding, a mixed roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Scheming in color

May Construction, Inc.

The outpouring of color, throughout this home is striking and yet nothing is out of place it came together marvelously.
Large arts and crafts one-storey yellow house exterior in San Francisco with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof and a brown roof.

Day Brightener | Kitchen Remodel & Home Addition

Che Bella Interiors Design + Remodeling

The inviting new porch addition features a stunning angled vault ceiling and walls of oversize windows that frame the picture-perfect backyard views. The porch is infused with light thanks to the statement light fixture and bright-white wooden beams that reflect the natural light. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

Heady Lake Hartwell Addition & Renovation

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Originally built in 1990 the Heady Lakehouse began as a 2,800SF family retreat and now encompasses over 5,635SF. It is located on a steep yet welcoming lot overlooking a cove on Lake Hartwell that pulls you in through retaining walls wrapped with White Brick into a courtyard laid with concrete pavers in an Ashlar Pattern. This whole home renovation allowed us the opportunity to completely enhance the exterior of the home with all new LP Smartside painted with Amherst Gray with trim to match the Quaker new bone white windows for a subtle contrast. You enter the home under a vaulted tongue and groove white washed ceiling facing an entry door surrounded by White brick. Once inside you’re encompassed by an abundance of natural light flooding in from across the living area from the 9’ triple door with transom windows above. As you make your way into the living area the ceiling opens up to a coffered ceiling which plays off of the 42” fireplace that is situated perpendicular to the dining area. The open layout provides a view into the kitchen as well as the sunroom with floor to ceiling windows boasting panoramic views of the lake. Looking back you see the elegant touches to the kitchen with Quartzite tops, all brass hardware to match the lighting throughout, and a large 4’x8’ Santorini Blue painted island with turned legs to provide a note of color. The owner’s suite is situated separate to one side of the home allowing a quiet retreat for the homeowners. Details such as the nickel gap accented bed wall, brass wall mounted bed-side lamps, and a large triple window complete the bedroom. Access to the study through the master bedroom further enhances the idea of a private space for the owners to work. It’s bathroom features clean white vanities with Quartz counter tops, brass hardware and fixtures, an obscure glass enclosed shower with natural light, and a separate toilet room. The left side of the home received the largest addition which included a new over-sized 3 bay garage with a dog washing shower, a new side entry with stair to the upper and a new laundry room. Over these areas, the stair will lead you to two new guest suites featuring a Jack & Jill Bathroom and their own Lounging and Play Area. The focal point for entertainment is the lower level which features a bar and seating area. Opposite the bar you walk out on the concrete pavers to a covered outdoor kitchen feature a 48” grill, Large Big Green Egg smoker, 30” Diameter Evo Flat-top Grill, and a sink all surrounded by granite countertops that sit atop a white brick base with stainless steel access doors. The kitchen overlooks a 60” gas fire pit that sits adjacent to a custom gunite eight sided hot tub with travertine coping that looks out to the lake. This elegant and timeless approach to this 5,000SF three level addition and renovation allowed the owner to add multiple sleeping and entertainment areas while rejuvenating a beautiful lake front lot with subtle contrasting colors.

Backyard

Forte Building Group, LLC

Large country two-storey white house exterior in Nashville with mixed siding, a gable roof, a mixed roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Boca Grande, FL - Waterfront Cottage Style Azalea

Wright Jenkins Home Design

This cottage-style bungalow was designed for an asymmetrical lot with multiple challenges. Decorative brackets enhance the entry tower and bring a sense of arrival.

Whole Home Renovation & Addition - Westwood, MA

J.P. Hoffman Design Build

We designed and built a 2-story, 2-stall garage addition on this Cape Cod style home in Westwood, MA. We removed the former breezeway and single-story, 2-stall garage and replaced it with a beautiful and functional design. We replaced the breezeway (which did not connect the garage and house) with a mudroom filled with space and storage (and a powder room) as well as the 2-stall garage and a main suite above. The main suite includes a large bedroom, walk-in closest (hint - those two small dormers you see) and a large main bathroom. Back on the first floor, we relocated a bathroom, renovated the kitchen and above all, improved form, flow and function between spaces. Our team also replaced the deck which offers a perfect combination of indoor/outdoor living.

Buckhead Exterior Renovation

Copper Sky Design + Remodel

A bland and weathered exterior gets a second life as a modern and unique showpiece.
This is an example of a midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Atlanta with mixed siding, a gable roof and a grey roof.

Arbutus Residence

Frits de Vries Architect Ltd.

This is an example of a contemporary three-storey grey exterior in Vancouver with mixed siding, a flat roof and a mixed roof.

Adobe Exterior Design Ideas with Mixed Siding

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.