Fringe Dweller’s sculpted extension transforms an unassuming weatherboard cottage into a proud forever home. It walks multiple tightropes at once: balancing openness with privacy, strength with softness, and a rich history with our clients’ future needs. On Clifton Hill’s suburban edge, the house sits opposite the leafy Quarries Park Reserve. Our clients, Ishtar and Craig, have three children and purchased their cottage to create a long-term family home. Lying within a heritage overlay, the cottage’s traditional layout is largely preserved – only tweaked, in a wise parenting move, to form three equally sized bedrooms. The extension’s shared spaces feature rich materials, a warm palette and curved edges, creating a feeling of softness and easing transitions between zones. A staircase arcing through the living areas leads up to the lounge and main suite. Elevated above street level, these spaces can more freely relate to the park: the lounge’s attached balcony overlooks the park’s open field, while the main bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window frames magnificent foliage. Downstairs, sliding doors connect the living areas to a semi-covered deck, while the garden beyond is embraced by a self-contained studio at the rear and high walls on either side. A brick wall interspersed with permeable screens lines the site’s public edge, balancing backyard privacy with neighbourhood connection. For passers-by, it’s a strong addition to the streetscape, granting glimpses of the lush garden within. Fringe Dweller embraces its presence on the fringe of the parklands, balancing its historical context with its future as a nurturing family home.

modern front porch in san anselmo

building Lab, inc.

Curb Appeal: the entire front part of the property is transformed. building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.
Design ideas for a large modern two-storey brown house exterior in San Francisco with a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof, clapboard siding and mixed siding.

Craftsman Home

Brookstone Builders

Brookstone Builders Home Photo by The Frontier Group
Inspiration for a large arts and crafts brown exterior in Other with wood siding.

Indian Hill Renovation

Wentz Design

Photo credit: Greg Grupenhof; Whole-house renovation to existing Indian Hill home. Prior to the renovation, the Scaninavian-modern interiors felt cold and cavernous. In order to make this home work for a family, we brought the spaces down to a more livable scale and used natural materials like wood and stone to make the home warm and welcoming.

Nethermead Residence

Carlton Edwards

Won 2013 AIANC Design Award
Transitional two-storey brown house exterior in Charlotte with wood siding and a metal roof.

Stone Residence 1

Norris Architecture

A traditional house that meanders around courtyards built as though it where built in stages over time. Well proportioned and timeless. Presenting its modest humble face this large home is filled with surprises as it demands that you take your time to experience it.

Northgate Exterior

CarsonSpeer Builders

This mid-century modern was a full restoration back to this home's former glory. New cypress siding was installed to match the home's original appearance. New windows with period correct mulling and details were installed throughout the home. Photo credit - Inspiro 8 Studios

Platte Lake 1

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Design ideas for a country brown house exterior in Minneapolis with wood siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

RidgeView Residence

Zack|de Vito Architecture + Construction

Design ideas for a contemporary two-storey brown house exterior in San Francisco with mixed siding and a flat roof.

Jarrett

User

Design ideas for a country two-storey brown house exterior in Portland with a gable roof.

Lake Minnetonka Equestrian Influence

ADŌR Homes

Inspiration for a country two-storey brown house exterior in Minneapolis with mixed siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Woods Bay Build

Stoddard Construction & Design Inc.

Large country one-storey brown house exterior in Other with wood siding, a gable roof and a metal roof.

Alexandria - Modern Meets Traditional

Visbeen Architects

Graced with an abundance of windows, Alexandria’s modern meets traditional exterior boasts stylish stone accents, interesting rooflines and a pillared and welcoming porch. You’ll never lack for style or sunshine in this inspired transitional design perfect for a growing family. The timeless design merges a variety of classic architectural influences and fits perfectly into any neighborhood. A farmhouse feel can be seen in the exterior’s peaked roof, while the shingled accents reference the ever-popular Craftsman style. Inside, an abundance of windows flood the open-plan interior with light. Beyond the custom front door with its eye-catching sidelights is 2,350 square feet of living space on the first level, with a central foyer leading to a large kitchen and walk-in pantry, adjacent 14 by 16-foot hearth room and spacious living room with a natural fireplace. Also featured is a dining area and convenient home management center perfect for keeping your family life organized on the floor plan’s right side and a private study on the left, which lead to two patios, one covered and one open-air. Private spaces are concentrated on the 1,800-square-foot second level, where a large master suite invites relaxation and rest and includes built-ins, a master bath with double vanity and two walk-in closets. Also upstairs is a loft, laundry and two additional family bedrooms as well as 400 square foot of attic storage. The approximately 1,500-square-foot lower level features a 15 by 24-foot family room, a guest bedroom, billiards and refreshment area, and a 15 by 26-foot home theater perfect for movie nights. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography

Modern Craftsman

Sogno Design Group

Michele Lee Wilson
Photo of a large arts and crafts three-storey brown house exterior in San Francisco with wood siding and a gable roof.

Windsor | 2016

Coats Homes

Design ideas for a large traditional two-storey brick brown house exterior in Dallas with a hip roof and a shingle roof.

Royal River Home + Studio

BRIBURN – Architecture for Life

Irvin Serrano
This is an example of a large contemporary one-storey brown house exterior in Portland Maine with wood siding.

Mountain Retreat

HMA Architecture Inc.

This is an example of a large country two-storey brown house exterior in Sacramento with wood siding, a gable roof and a mixed roof.

Mill Creek

South Alabama Brick Company

Mill Creek with Buff, Coyote Gray natural stone
Design ideas for a traditional brick brown exterior in Atlanta.

BB Residence

Brechbuhler Architects

The front of the home is inviting with its covered porch bringing you to the custom front door. There is a nice curving driveway that allows for easy drop-off and pull-through. photo by: Karl Neumann

Mountain Modern Digs

Ward-Young Architecture & Planning - Truckee, CA

photo by Mariko Reed
This is an example of a contemporary brown exterior in Sacramento with wood siding.

Brown Exterior Design Ideas

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.