Curb Appeal: Making a split level home look less like a split level...

Год(а)/Лет назад: 7

We live outside of DC and are trying to make our home look less like a split level by painting it all one color. Initially, we wanted to add a portico to chance the look and disguise the split, but there is a stone retaining wall that would need to be moved and replaced - and it was very expensive. So now, we're looking for design ideas that don't require structural changes - so we would love ideas on colors, shutters, window boxes, trim, door, etc. There are 3 materials - siding, brick and hardieplank. Anything in general on adding low cost curb appeal.

We were thinking:
All white including trim, grey shutters and a turquoise door. Not sure what to do with the garage...faux wood? Window boxes? New plants obviously. New fence, match the garage, dark natural wood stain?

Or
Khaki/tan-ish with grey hues with black shutters, black door - bright white trim. Add trim to door and around window, bright white garage with black hinges. White fence, new plants. Planters with red flowers. Flag.

Подходящий ответ

partim

Год(а)/Лет назад: 7

Your house can be very attractive without expensive alterations.

I agree with those who suggest leaving the brick color as it is. Your current problem is that the brick color is not complemented by the colors of the garage door and siding. The front door clashes terribly with the brick color.

I searched Houzz for "orange brick" and came up with some better colors for you. You haven't given us a close up of your brick so I don't know if it a solid color or if it is somewhat variegated like the second photo. But overall, I think a medium gray would look great with your brick color, and really update the house.

Kitchen & Addition · Еще

I love the front door color below - Behr Script Ink.

Siding Replacement Projects · Еще

This is BM Sparrow, below, on the siding. I think you need a darker shade like this (it has an LRV of 21) to look good with the brick color. Your current pale color is too washed out.

Traditional Exterior · Еще

I'd also remove the shutters. You won't need them to "dress up" the house, once the colors are right. Wider trim around the windows, as in picture #3, would replace the shutters in adding interest to the windows.

Don't underestimate how much of a difference landscaping will make. Look at the 3rd picture I posted, now imagine it with your dated "foundation planting" shrubs. Professionally designed landscaping will bring your house to life.

A word on window boxes. I've had them and never will again. They need constant watering, tend to leak and stain whatever is below them, often look scraggly, and the expense to keep them full of fresh plants can really add up. And I'm an experienced gardener who doesn't mind taking a bit of trouble for good results.

I hope you love your house after you've made it your own. I grew up in a very similar split level that my father built, and I still think it is a handsomely proportioned house.

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Комментарии: 12

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
I’m sorry but if you didn’t want a split level why did you buy one. IMO this will always look exactly what it is no mater what paint you use.Embrace the style get rid of the poorly sized shutters paint the garage door the same color as you choose for the siding (I would suggest a soft gray/ green ) to work with the brick and some good landscaping.
PRO
Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
I would not paint the brick as you take a basically maintenance free product and turn it into a long term maintenance item. Like Patricia said I would either remove the shutters or put up a wider shutter that "fits" the windows. Pick a color that is not so much of a contrast with the brick to tie the pieces of the house together, including the garage door.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual renovations check my web site, Creative Visual Concepts. I do mock ups to show you how your house might look with new paint colors, etc.
FordandKate Lannan поблагодарил(а): Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
Judy Mishkin
Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
Последние изменения: Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
actually i think the poorly sized shutters are part of the original style... in any case, we buy houses for a lot of different reasons. we bought our antique victorian because of its location and it would be silly to update the outside... as would it be silly for you to try to make your perfectly lovely home something other than it is. there is nothing wrong with a split level, in any way.

save the updates for the interior.
PRO
WJM Architect
Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
partim
Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
Последние изменения: Год(а)/Лет назад: 7
As far as flower colors, red and pink make the brick look muddy. Cream, white, yellow, blue, lavender/purple are great. Bronze (not orange) asters in the fall are beautiful.

Blue-toned foliage also looks very good, such as blue rug juniper or blue-toned ornamental grasses like blue oat grass. Avoid plants with yellow variegated leaves.
stephfloyd
Год(а)/Лет назад: 6
I love the idea of painting the brick & going all white!
Bette P
Год(а)/Лет назад: 6
Последние изменения: Год(а)/Лет назад: 6

Transitional Exterior · Еще

Somerset Renovation · Еще

Exterior · Еще

Paint your siding and garage door first and leave the brick as is. The shutters are not the right size for the windows anyway, so remove them and widen your window trim, see the 2nd photo. Darkening your gutters to blend in with the roof will take away the white stripe. If your window grills are removable, take them out. Landscaping will help, see the first and third photo for inspiration. Maybe a white front door to match the large window beside it, it will read as a unit and appear larger. New lighting.
decoenthusiaste
Год(а)/Лет назад: 6
Последние изменения: Год(а)/Лет назад: 6
View from the Front · Еще
A unifying element like this roof that ties the two pieces of the house together into one can help. Get an architect involved to replicate this look. Notice they didn't replace all of the roof, just matched the shingles with new metal roofing. It will be very much at home in the DC area.

View from the Front · Еще
btydrvn
Год(а)/Лет назад: 5
All one color will decrease the split look...matching the siding closer to the brick color is the easiest .. shortest way... toward that goal...unless you want to paint the brick... then any color will work
Lyn Agre
Год(а)/Лет назад: 4
Paint the brick...the paint used would be for brick and stucco and today's products last 15 years or so. Don't be pushed into a corner because ' brick is maintenance free". If you don't paint it , it will never look different. Use a color you love and one that will go nicely with nature.
L S
Год(а)/Лет назад: 2
Did you end up painting? I am thinking about painting our split level brick white to match the siding and would love to see how yours turned out!