We have painted several houseboats in Seattle, they do require the renting of a barge, extra masking and prep to make sure we do not contaminate the water.

Courtney Residence

hughesumbanhowar architects

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Los Angeles with metal siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

Lawless Rereat

Searl Lamaster Howe Architects

When approached from downslope the arrangement of the house is clearly understood with the master suite atop, screened porch and sundeck below, and the living room in the foreground.

Modern Country Club, Los Altos

AK Design

Modern Landscape - large modern gray and white two-story stucco, siding and stone exterior home in Los Altos.
Photo of a large modern two-storey grey house exterior in San Francisco with wood siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

Green Roof House Sydney

RAAarchitects

Green roof with timber awning and sliding glass doors to living area below. Photograph by Brett Boardman
Mid-sized modern two-storey white house exterior in Sydney with a green roof.

Knowle House Extension

Roger Gransmore Architect

Knowle House is set on a beautiful sloped site in Cranham, between Stroud and Gloucester. A glass extension provides a new living and dining space attached to the Grade-II Listed property. The extension has large contemporary glazed doors which slide back to connect the living space to the garden patio. A green roof finishes the flat roof and a projecting cantilevered canopy provides shading to control solar gain. Rainwater is captured firstly in the green roof, which then passes playfully down a ‘rain chain’ into the flower bed. A narrow slot rooflight fills the extension with natural daylight, washing across the original Cotswold stone wall, now incorporated within the extension to provide a feature wall.

Contemporary Custom Home-Naperville

Redstart Construction, Inc.

Picture Perfect House
Large contemporary two-storey white house exterior in Chicago with stone veneer, a hip roof and a green roof.

Midcentury Home Addition and renovation

Donald Lococo Architects

Designed in 1970 for an art collector, the existing referenced 70’s architectural principles. With its cadence of ‘70’s brick masses punctuated by a garage and a 4-foot-deep entrance recess. This recess, however, didn’t convey to the interior, which was occupied by disjointed service spaces. To solve, service spaces are moved and reorganized in open void in the garage. (See plan) This also organized the home: Service & utility on the left, reception central, and communal living spaces on the right. To maintain clarity of the simple one-story 70’s composition, the second story add is recessive. A flex-studio/extra bedroom and office are designed ensuite creating a slender form and orienting them front to back and setting it back allows the add recede. Curves create a definite departure from the 70s home and by detailing it to "hover like a thought" above the first-floor roof and mentally removable sympathetic add.Existing unrelenting interior walls and a windowless entry, although ideal for fine art was unconducive for the young family of three. Added glass at the front recess welcomes light view and the removal of interior walls not only liberate rooms to communicate with each other but also reinform the cleared central entry space as a hub. Even though the renovation reinforms its relationship with art, the joy and appreciation of art was not dismissed. A metal sculpture lost in the corner of the south side yard bumps the sculpture at the front entrance to the kitchen terrace over an added pedestal. (See plans) Since the roof couldn’t be railed without compromising the one-story '70s composition, the sculpture garden remains physically inaccessible however mirrors flanking the chimney allow the sculptures to be appreciated in three dimensions. The mirrors also afford privacy from the adjacent Tudor's large master bedroom addition 16-feet away.

Projekt HD9

Schreinerei POLLINGER

Modernes Haus mit Holz-Alu Fenster. Die Fenster sind innen in Eiche. Im Haus findet mann Hebe-Schiebetüren sowie Festverglasungen und normale Fenster. Der Sonnenschutz wurde mithilfe von Raffstores gelöst.

House 71

DOWN to Earth Architects

Photo Credit: S A Homeowner
Large contemporary two-storey concrete grey house exterior in Other with a flat roof and a green roof.

Naples Modern

In-Site Design Group LLC

Daniel Newcomb photography
This is an example of a large modern two-storey stucco white house exterior in Miami with a flat roof and a green roof.

Residence On The Hill

Narofsky Architecture + ways2design

The site for this waterfront residence is located on the Great Neck Peninsula, facing west to views of NYC and the borough bridges. When purchased, there existed a 50-year-old house and pool structurally condemned which required immediate removal. Once the site was cleared, a year was devoted to stabilizing the seawall and hill to accommodate the newly proposed home. The lot size, shape and relationship to an easement access road, overlaid with strict zoning regulations was a key factor in the organization of the client’s program elements. The arc contour of the easement road and required setback informed the front facade shape, which was designed as a privacy screen, as adjacent homes are in close proximity. Due to strict height requirements the house from the street appears to be one story and then steps down the hill allowing for three fully occupiable floors. The local jurisdiction also granted special approval accepting the design of the garage, within the front set back, as its roof is level with the roadbed and fully landscaped. A path accesses a hidden door to the bedroom level of the house. The garage is accessed through a semicircular driveway that leads to a depressed entry courtyard, offering privacy to the main entrance. The configuration of the home is a U-shape surrounding a rear courtyard. This shape, along with suspended pods assures water views to all occupants while not compromising privacy from the adjacent homes. The house is constructed on a steel frame, clad with fiber cement, resin panels and an aluminum curtain wall system. All roofs are accessible as either decks or landscaped garden areas. The lower level accesses decks, an outdoor kitchen, and pool area which are perched on the edge of the upper retaining wall.

"Privacy House" - Currently Under Construction

Arielle C. Schechter, AIA

The south facing view of the Privacy House has a 13' high window wall. Primary colors inspired by flags were used to organize the exterior spaces. To the right of the deck is a floating cypress screen which affords privacy for the owners when viewed from the street. Photo by Keith Isaacs.

Woodside Modern Napa Style

The Design Build Company

Design ideas for a large modern one-storey grey house exterior in San Francisco with mixed siding, a hip roof and a green roof.

5406 Duval - Mid-Century Modern

Carty Custom Builders, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury two-storey grey house exterior in Austin with wood siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

Sandunes

ARCO2 Architecture Ltd

Sustainable Build Cornwall, Architects Cornwall Photography by Daniel Scott
Expansive contemporary two-storey house exterior in Cornwall with stone veneer and a green roof.

Modern Northwoods Residence Lakeside Exterior

Amy Carman Design

Framed by rustic fieldstone and modern black windows, the main living space, a walk-out balcony, and a wing of three guest suites all overlook the lake at our Modern Northwoods Cabin. An outdoor kitchen, green roof, private guest suite patios, and a bocce ball court (behind the fieldstone wall) are just some of the unexpected luxuries of this modern lodge.

Westlight House

McClellan | Tellone

Benjamin Benschneider
Photo of a large contemporary three-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Seattle with wood siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

Grey Duck

SALA Architects

The homeowners sought to create a modest, modern, lakeside cottage, nestled into a narrow lot in Tonka Bay. The site inspired a modified shotgun-style floor plan, with rooms laid out in succession from front to back. Simple and authentic materials provide a soft and inviting palette for this modern home. Wood finishes in both warm and soft grey tones complement a combination of clean white walls, blue glass tiles, steel frames, and concrete surfaces. Sustainable strategies were incorporated to provide healthy living and a net-positive-energy-use home. Onsite geothermal, solar panels, battery storage, insulation systems, and triple-pane windows combine to provide independence from frequent power outages and supply excess power to the electrical grid. Photos by Corey Gaffer

Osprey Landing

Josh Wynne Construction

Ryan Gamma
Large modern three-storey white house exterior in Tampa with mixed siding, a flat roof and a green roof.

House Exterior Design Ideas with a Green 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.