Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

The Bluff house front view at twilight in Pismo Beach

Schaefer Custom Homes

Photo of a large contemporary three-storey beige house exterior in San Luis Obispo with mixed siding, a flat roof and a white roof.

Beauty Between New Homes - Old Style

Medina Exteriors & Remodeling

Took a worn out look on a home that needed a face lift standing between new homes. Kept the look and brought it into the 21st century, yet you can reminisce and feel like your back in the 50:s with todays conveniences.

Woodhaven Modern

Flavin Architects

Our clients wanted to replace an existing suburban home with a modern house at the same Lexington address where they had lived for years. The structure the clients envisioned would complement their lives and integrate the interior of the home with the natural environment of their generous property. The sleek, angular home is still a respectful neighbor, especially in the evening, when warm light emanates from the expansive transparencies used to open the house to its surroundings. The home re-envisions the suburban neighborhood in which it stands, balancing relationship to the neighborhood with an updated aesthetic. The floor plan is arranged in a “T” shape which includes a two-story wing consisting of individual studies and bedrooms and a single-story common area. The two-story section is arranged with great fluidity between interior and exterior spaces and features generous exterior balconies. A staircase beautifully encased in glass stands as the linchpin between the two areas. The spacious, single-story common area extends from the stairwell and includes a living room and kitchen. A recessed wooden ceiling defines the living room area within the open plan space. Separating common from private spaces has served our clients well. As luck would have it, construction on the house was just finishing up as we entered the Covid lockdown of 2020. Since the studies in the two-story wing were physically and acoustically separate, zoom calls for work could carry on uninterrupted while life happened in the kitchen and living room spaces. The expansive panes of glass, outdoor balconies, and a broad deck along the living room provided our clients with a structured sense of continuity in their lives without compromising their commitment to aesthetically smart and beautiful design.

Custom Home

Virtue Modern, LLC

Photo of an expansive modern stucco white house exterior in Las Vegas with four or more storeys, a flat roof and a white roof.

Saddle Brook House

South Oak Studios | Custom Homes | Design-Build

Large modern two-storey stucco white house exterior with a flat roof and a white roof.

Remvoe Mansard - After

Habitation Inc

After - Front of home with mansard removed, raised parapet, added exterior insulation (R10), new lath and stucco.
Design ideas for a one-storey stucco brown house exterior in Albuquerque with a white roof.

Lovedale

Building Buddy

Renovated exterior from the back, re painted, new roof, New expanded rear external area with a modwood floor extended out towards the pool. Open skylight to a garden on the BBQ area.

Holly Hill House

Robert M. Cain, Architect

Holly Hill, a retirement home, whose owner's hobbies are gardening and restoration of classic cars, is nestled into the site contours to maximize views of the lake and minimize impact on the site. Holly Hill is comprised of three wings joined by bridges: A wing facing a master garden to the east, another wing with workshop and a central activity, living, dining wing. Similar to a radiator the design increases the amount of exterior wall maximizing opportunities for natural ventilation during temperate months. Other passive solar design features will include extensive eaves, sheltering porches and high-albedo roofs, as strategies for considerably reducing solar heat gain. Daylighting with clerestories and solar tubes reduce daytime lighting requirements. Ground source geothermal heat pumps and superior to code insulation ensure minimal space conditioning costs. Corten steel siding and concrete foundation walls satisfy client requirements for low maintenance and durability. All light fixtures are LEDs. Open and screened porches are strategically located to allow pleasant outdoor use at any time of day, particular season or, if necessary, insect challenge. Dramatic cantilevers allow the porches to project into the site’s beautiful mixed hardwood tree canopy without damaging root systems. Guest arrive by vehicle with glimpses of the house and grounds through penetrations in the concrete wall enclosing the garden. One parked they are led through a garden composed of pavers, a fountain, benches, sculpture and plants. Views of the lake can be seen through and below the bridges. Primary client goals were a sustainable low-maintenance house, primarily single floor living, orientation to views, natural light to interiors, maximization of individual privacy, creation of a formal outdoor space for gardening, incorporation of a full workshop for cars, generous indoor and outdoor social space for guests and parties.

Home Farm 1

Alix Bragg Interior Design

Inspiration for a tropical exterior in Charleston with wood siding, a clipped gable roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Stanton Heights Addition

Sarah Pack Design

This is an example of a mid-sized modern two-storey black house exterior in Other with wood siding, a flat roof and a white roof.

Serenity

Odin Industrial Design

Large modern white house exterior in Houston with four or more storeys, wood siding, a flat roof, a white roof and board and batten siding.

Hermosa Avenue

Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.

Inspired by Mediterranean villages and the bright Alys Beach style, this peaceful home is a breezy escape from the activity of daily life.
Design ideas for a large mediterranean three-storey stucco white house exterior in Los Angeles with a flat roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Wolf-Huang House on Lake Orange

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The exterior of the Wolf-Huang residence is horizontal and linear so that most of the rooms can have a view of the water. The low slung lines of the house echo the horizontality of the lake.

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

Design ideas for a large tropical one-storey white house exterior in Geelong with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Waterfront Residence - Ft. Lauderdale

Steven L. Cohen Architects and Interior Designers

PROJECT TYPE Two-story, single family residence totaling 3,478sf on the Stranahan River inlet SCOPE Architecture LOCATION Fort Lauderdale, Florida DESCRIPTION 4 Bedrooms / 6 Bathrooms plus Parlor, Lounge, Sitting Room, Meeting Library and Studio areas Resort-style swimming pool, covered patio with Gazebo and a private boat dock Caribbean-style architecture with expansive terraces, decorative columns and rafters, and metal roofing

Caza Banana Approach

Brindley Architects

The approach to the Caza comes from an allocated parking space for the occupant. New asphalt driveway was installed as part of the build with added lilli pills hedge planted as an edge to the private open space. The roof slopes away from the entry side and all water is collected to holding tanks for use inside.

Modern Entry

PM-AD

This is an example of a large modern one-storey stucco black house exterior in Dallas with a flat roof, a mixed roof and a white roof.

Calder Street House

Charles Maccora Design

Large tropical one-storey white house exterior in Geelong with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Malvern East House

Pascon Group Pty Ltd

Exterior facade & Main entry to the front of the home
Design ideas for a large modern two-storey brick grey house exterior in Melbourne with a flat roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Exterior Design Ideas with a White Roof

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.