this is the house I been building the last two years, it mainly for the bad weather we get and as much as zero maintance as possible. But I think its ugly. with that tv program tlak about curb appeal. I need ideas. What can I do to make it look better.
Skim-coating with joint compound covers texture, renews old drywall and plaster, and leaves smooth surfaces ready to paint.
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Replies
Put up a real fancy mailbox :)
I think it's the lawn. You need a prarie there. IMHO, of course.
Paint a Mail pouch chewing tobacco advertisment on the roof.
Who Dares Wins.
Hanging plants from the porch beam.
A line of shrubbery along inn fron of it.
Someting colourful to distract the eye in the front lawn away from the house - maybe a pink Flamingo?
Maybe not - try a flowering crab apple tree.
For a place to look inviting, the door itself should seem inviting. Yours appears hidden almost in the deep shade. Maybe lights or colour can bring it out.
Or if you are inclined to go the humourous route to look un-inviting to salesmen and other solicitors -
Put up a couple signs like, "Beware the rattlesnakes"
Or "Caution, Mine sweeping in progress,Watch your step"
"Mad Wife. Her bite is worse than her bark"
"Welcome. We have what you are looking for.
But the shotgun is loaded if you try to take it from us"
"Solicitors welcome, The last one tasted great - or so the dog said"
Excellence is its own reward!
you talk about snake, because of all the concrete I get about ten rat snakes a week laying on the porch etc. whole yard is frog, lizards and rat snakes.
In a word: landscaping. Soften the house into the yard with plants. I'm in the midwest and am not up on plants for your zone, so can't make recommendations. But a modest (meaning small business) landscape designer can help you make it more appealing. Do put something close to the street to minimize the expanse of hot lawn.
IMHO, as if I actually had any taste, I think that the grey paint and black shutters don't do much for you. Something a bit bolder could help. The columns are a little slim also. Maybe a bit of filling out would help as ling as it didn't detract from the house front. I would place some boards in front of the existing posts and see how it looked from the road. Other than that some landscaping would bring a bit of life to the setting. Yard looks a bit bare.
I actually like the house. I like simple, simple roof lines, and smallish. Its a house, a machine for living, not proof of manhood or self-worth. I, again just my humble opinion, think think that people ask too much of houses. In seeking all things many get don't get much of any of the attributes they are seeking.
In seeking aesthetics, openness, sight lines, even to the point of inspiration and a religious experience and safety and comfort and storage and function and cozyness and expansiveness. Too often the end result is none of the above. Far better to design for the basics first and only secondarily for all the others. Small and simple is a good start and often lends more elegance than a larger or more complicated design overreaching.
I kind of like it but I do think you can improve it's first impression considerably with a minor investment. Make it look homey put a nice bench and maybe a rocker or nice chair on the porch. Then put in some flowers around the mailbox and some along both sides of the driveway. I would also put in a small border of flowers along the front of the porch. Flower boxes would look great there but to minimize cost you might just set them in the ground and let the buyers get their own boxes. A nice copse of pampas grass would look great too ... maybe on the left side of the drive, where it blocks the view into the neighbors back yard.
I agree - landscaping - I've attached some quick ideas:
Albert Einstein said it best:
“Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Your mileage may vary ....
Damn. Instant improvement. Wouldn't change a thing.
Well, maybe twins. ......................................................
I agree with the addition of landscaping, but I would box the columns and paint white. The columns shouldn't be to large and add railings with both painted white. Maybe a curved concrete walk for the drive to the porch. The addition of some porch furniture sounds good too. Good luck,
Troy
I don't know. I think a railing on a ground level porch kind of violates the form follows function rule. I'd either put up a trellis and cover the whole front of the porch with vines, or put in a tall hedge down at the street. Or maybe a fancy brick wall.
I agree with you about the columns, though. If they stay visible, they should be thicker.
Hey.....Did you calculate the load on that roof?
Boss will tell you that, that much cleavage load will distort the lower chord of the truss causing an eruption of internal forces!
..............Iron Helix
PS....I'd be happy to do a free home inspection if this pair of bunglows goes on the market.
Works for me.
What do you think that sort of addition runs?
That sort of addition leads to a subdivision.
Very expensive.
Joe H
What do you think that sort of addition runs?
Depends on how good your soon to be ex's lawyer is {G}
_______________________
Albert Einstein said it best:
“Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Your mileage may vary ....
Q: Why is a divorce so expensive?
A: Because it's worth it.
You got those Christmas decorations up a little early this year, Bob.<G>
Design Submission 2 - consider adding some vertical elements and softening the streetscape
_______________________
Albert Einstein said it best:
“Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Your mileage may vary ....
Are you sure you don't have an advanced degrees in design and landscape architecture? Your subtle use of decoration is quite deft.
I particularly like the stream. Always wanted to have my own private trout stream. I might take up fly fishing.
I also like the chrome bits. Nice touches those. Would it be too over the top to throw in a lawn jockey? Perhaps a few flamingoes.
I like flamigos, they taste like chicken. little BBQ sauce and some cheyane pepper, whooooo doggy thats eating.
The pink ones, they are normally white until they eat a lot of our crustacean friends, taste a bit like shrimp. A chemical extracted from shrimp shells are also used to color a lot of fish. It gives salmon a nice pink color people associate with freshness.
Lawn jockeys? Geez, we're working on a high tone "while you were out" kind or upgrade. Lawn jockeys? What would the neighbors say?
Y'all come back now, y'hear!
I won't name the culprit who started me on this path with the obelisk idea; but I've figured out paint shop pro's selective copy, at least on a crude level!
_______________________
Albert Einstein said it best:
“Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Your mileage may vary ....
Johnny,
I'd be very proud, if I were you. Don't let the criticism hurt you - you asked for it. But I remember the pictures when it was just block work, and I think you've done a marvelous job.
If YOU like the colors, and YOU like the shutters, just go for a little softening of the lines. Plant some stuff that compliments the house and try to keep the plantings in a "family" of colors. A bench or rockers would be great on that deep front porch.
Enjoy your house - you've worked mighty hard for it.
Greg.
you mean like this
That's it, Johnny ! I can see a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from that picture to the one you posted at the beginning of this thread of the finished product.
Good job.
Greg
BB - I hope you don't think I'm goofing on you -just goofing with the picture - the roof picture you posted shows the house from a much more flattering angle, BTW.
"I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille!"
_______________________
Albert Einstein said it best:
“Problems,” he said, “cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Your mileage may vary ....
Yup. I think that last version, the one with the canoe and flamingoes, just screams tall cotton. I think a nice lawn jockey, a brass spittoon on the porch and maybe a pickup on blocks right out in the front lawn would take it to the next level. All of these are major country mojo chic and inside landscaping secrets and sure to make the neighbors green with envy.
"I particularly like the stream. Always wanted to have my own private trout stream. I might take up fly fishing."
Don't wait 'til then. Flyfishing is the only kind of fishing for me and I'm in south GA. Nothing beats the fight of a good sized bluegill on a light weight rod or the explosion on the surface as a largemouth takes a popper. Of course it's also fun to head up to the Appalachians to hit the streams for trout- if only I could catch any.
Steve J.
Soli Deo Gloria
Paleo - " Where you stay at ? "
I'm in Albany, live in Leesburg.
Greg.
"Paleo - " Where you stay at ? "
I'm in Albany, live in Leesburg."
Greg,
I live in Ray City, "work" in Valdosta, and attend church in Tifton. So my roaming territory almost makes it up your way. How are you liking this weather?
Steve J.
Soli Deo Gloria
Oh, man - these last two weeks have been Heaven ! My neighbor calls this "poor man's weather" meaning no heat, no air !
I'm looking forward to being outside tomorrow - I'm going to start framing my 24 x 32 shop. It should be a perfect day for it.
You know my friend Barry Broome in V-dosta ?
Greg.
I got a 24 x 30 shop with a 12 x 30 leanto off the back waiting for me to start, I just lazy right know. I haven't decide on frame or metal bldg. Termite you know. I ain't doing block again, they too damn heavy
"You know my friend Barry Broome in V-dosta ?"
Can't say that I know him, but the name sounds familiar.
Steve
Soli Deo Gloria
Re: "if only I could catch any."
Fishing is only secondarily about catching fish. In fact I usually only bring a pole and line to keep me from looking strange hanging around the water doing nothing. Baiting the hook is optional.
Since you asked; I'd change the house color to a softer beige or tan. Accent with a saddle browwn on the shutters and cream on the fascia and door/window trim. Next, add a stone wainscott up to the bottom of the windows across the front of the house.Cultured stone ledgestone with no mortar joint is a good choice to soften the angular look. Double the columns that are there to beef up the look. Add a flower bed with a stacked stone border and use low growing, flowering plants and shrubs. Also add bigger shrubs and a flower bed in front of that tree to the left to soften the drive. Finally, a flagstone walk from the front door out to the street or out and over to the drive. That's my $.02 worth.
Edited 10/22/2003 12:51:08 PM ET by Bill
Actually, I am very conservative myself and believe in function over looks, but my god you take it to the extreme! I am having toooo much fun with this one and of course everything is in jest. You certainly have a good sense of humor or else you never would have posted a pic of your command post. It actually resembles and ammo bunker back in the grunt days in the Corps.
Definately add some vegetation to dress up the front or at the very least throw one of those huge camo nets over the top, you know the ones they use to camouflage tanks and 155 howitzers so they can't be seen. LMAO :-)
P.S. Did you say 2 years to build? Any chance you in the union?
Be well "One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"
Did you say 2 years to build?
I work for a livin. and I was the only one on this job after 40 hours at the factory
Edited 10/23/2003 7:48:07 PM ET by BROWNBAGG
Curb appeal wise, the most important thought is to do things that make the front door obvious and welcoming. That's what identifies the building as a home rather than an industrial or agricultural facility.
Get the damn post out of the way. If one is good, two are better, so you should be able to sell the inspector on having one each side of the door located symmetrically. A walkway should lead up to the porch where the new pair of posts are. It could curve over from the driveway, or better yet, be a main feature of the front yard. In that case, give it an interesting "S" curve. Line it with plants.
Porch railings would also serve to emphasize that the main entrance is where it is. Shrubs along the edge of the porch would increase that effect, and make it more of a semi-private space where you might want to have a place to sit -- perhaps even a porch swing, or a small table and chairs.
The front yard could use a large tree fairly close to the street to make it look less barren, and to give you something nice to look at from the porch. You have a lot of land there, walking past a big tree on the way to the front door emphasizes that asset.
Curb appeal is all well and good for first impressions, but people spend more time inside houses looking out than they do outside looking in.
-- J.S.
I'm with the others for larger columns and shrubs or a railing where the slab and lawn meet. Something to break it up there. Blah colors...looks industrial.
Mike
The school of the blind would be a good place to start looking for potential buyers. "One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"
you really do not like my south fla, hurricane proof, enegy efficent, maintance free house. huh
I forgot, termite more resistance. I know nothing termite proof but they going to need a ladder to get to wood.
Edited 10/22/2003 9:13:40 PM ET by BROWNBAGG
Edited 10/22/2003 9:29:47 PM ET by BROWNBAGG
They're working on the rafters / trusses and roof deck....
You simply can't have it all your way...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
For the record, I find nothing wrong with the house. It's unpretentious, but practical. In a lot of ways, much more appealing than most McMansions in the burbs.
I personally find the shutters a little out of place...unless, of course, they are real, working shutters. Otherwise, I say loose them.
Then give the house a bright, bold color. Keep it simple. It's a clean, modern, dwelling, IMHO. Sometimes letting it be what it is is the best path to take.
But, yea, do plant something in that expanse of a lawn. Maybe a few boulders would help. It looks like that thing would fit right in in the Australian outback.
even tho B Walkers landscaping pict was made lightheartedly, the addition of color with the flowers dramatically changes the impression of the house/lot, so I'm with the others who recommend color changes and flowering plantings to help with curb appeal - -
when I look at the house, the first impression is the porch and roof - - I agree with those who recommend a treatment for the porch post, tho I need more time to study and think about exactly what - - the roof looks a little funny to me because the porch slope is a larger area than the house pitch - - I understand why, and since I don't think there is much that could be done about it, I would use color on the walls/shutters to draw the eye - -
I do like your premise - hurricane proof, low maintanance, low overhead housing - - you'll find someone that will appreciate it - make sure your realter understands and appreciates the structure's strong suites...
Johnny, they still make those bent over plywood butts? A couple of those strategically placed might jazz it up.
Seriously, how bout a couple clandestine shots of the neighborhood? How far can we go without overkill in relationship to your neighbors?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
OK, here's my half-assed attempt at redocrating. A can of paint, some railing, and prarie grass:
I like that one. quail hunting in the front yard, and how did you know the mower was broken, you forgot the pickup on blocks.
You fogot the chrome sphere and the little guy holding the lantern...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Lose the railing. Keep the flamingo! A prairie home with flamingos. Frank Lloyd would be proud!
"I am not young enough to know everything."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Edited 10/23/2003 3:45:39 PM ET by Bill
Ouch!Liberal Arts Graduate
Will Think for Food
I agree with the addition of landscaping, but I would box the columns and paint white. The columns shouldn't be to large and add railings with both painted white.
I second that notion, keep the railing short, no taller than 36", possibly lower. A little detail work on the colums would do wonders, paint white, paint your shutters white to match, possibly fascias too.
I agree with the landscaping comment...Can't have enough trees and bushes.
And something to soften the color of the driveway, looks like the freeway.
my .02. (probably not worth that much however)
Bud
when I started there was only three post in front, one on each end and the center. There is really no weight being held by the post. All the weights on the concrete wall. But the county inspector made me put that post there. Yes its in front of the door but the porch is an eight foot porch so it not really in the way. It will create problems for the walk.
The driveway is a freeway 16 feet wide, I just got tired of juggle in vehicle so I wanted a double driveway.
Edited 10/23/2003 9:44:55 AM ET by BROWNBAGG
i think simon cowell from american idol is moonlighting as woodrow around here (i hate to say it, but i'm kinda with him on this one- sorry. did you copy the plans from a storage complex or an army barracks?) ;-)
m
I'd put a match to it and walk away.
"One measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions"
Here another picture before the driveway was poured last week.
I thought about the front walk, cannot put any trees in front yard due to septic systems in front. Cannot burned it because its all concrete, and beside its paid for, no mortage. with it being all concrete, highest power bill been $31.00 and its total electric
Two rocking chairs and a coon dog.
That picture shows something that I suspected, but not sure of from your other picture.
The post are in the wrong place.
You should have a pair that flank the door. And then the 2nd on the right should be moved to be centered between the two windows.
I would change the color of the door.
And like the others have said wider columns. And put a curving walk from the drive. And then a major focus landscape bed in that corner.
And some plantings along the fron or some planters on the porch.
I'd put the front porch posts on 12" square brick piers, about 18" high. Then a square, tapered post up to the roof. Flowers, modest landscaping, and a color change. Then you are ready to roll it.
BROWNBAG,
I agree with everyone here who said landscaping and some warmer colors, AND some color. Too much grey, black and white. If you're planning on selling, plant plenty of annuals at the appropriate time and fertilize and water them. Should do the trick.
Jon
Not a bad house. Modest can be good.
Here's my 1st thoughts...
1) Hide the metal columns supporting the porch roof. Build some sort of wooden column around them. Should be easy and cheap.
2) Build a simple wooden railing. Easy and cheap.
2.5) A walkway leading to the front door. Looks inviting.
3) Loose the shudders. Especially by the door! I always think they look foolish when they look like they're glued on.
4) Low growing plantings infront of the railing. Whatever suits your area.
5) A shade tree that will grow large some were on front. If septic allows.
6) Possibly a border to the concrete driveway.
It would be great if you post some after photos.
Good luck
Is that column directly in fron tof the front door? Who planned that?
Is that mistletoe or squirrel's nests?
I don't think it is ugly at all. It's lovely in its simplicity, except for the column spacing boo-boo.
I happen to LOVE grey houses with white and black accent/trim. Nothing makes me gag faster than a khaki house. Color's a personal thing, of course. But gray with black and white looks incredible with a fire engine red door, for instance.
Choose a great color for the door, get a simple pretty bench or a couple of rockers, maybe paint the bench to match the door, and pick up that same bright color in a bunch of pots or boxes or baskets of flowers.
Respace the colums, do a simple white box treatment around them. I don't necessarily think a railing is necessary, because your porch isn't raised, so what sense does a railing make, other than visual sense? On the other hand, a pretty white, not too high railing would make a pretty backdrop for some landscaping in front of the porch. And, you can hang containers or baskets of annuals from the porch raining, reminiscent of window boxes.
When you go to choose plants for the landscaping, beware of what I refer to as 'gas station landscaping.' There are a lot of gorgeous choices available now in low maintenance shrubs, that have a fantastic array of golden, blue-grey, silvery, or purplish foliage.
All those are nice ideas as accents, but it looks stupid as hell to have some golden foliage, some purple foliage, some bluish grey foliage, all together, just for the sake of using neato unusual colors. Gawd, that makes my eyes hurt.
You need to use those accent colors, as accents, and use some good old regular green, as well.
If it were my house, I'd paint the door bright red, then use green, purplish, and blue-green foliage in shrubbery. That would be a soothing combination. Then I'd have lots of red and white in the annual flowers I planted with them.
Or, if you don't love your grey house, and paint it tan (ouch), then choose a barn red or a green door, or a white one. And then use golden and green foliage plants.
Paint the house blue, then use a bright yellow, or white door. Use golden, bluish grey, and green foliage.
As God is my witness though, I come down there and find you with a mix of grey, gold and purple foliage only, you time left on this earth will be shortened. Be lucky you have snakes, that might keep me away.
And, what about some simple light fixtures on either side of the doorway?
"Our whole American way of life is a great war of ideas, and librarians are the arms dealers selling weapons to both sides."
-James Quinn
It was suppose to be a louisana creole style house, something you see around new orleans, yes that mistletoe, the squirrel nest is in the tree in the backyard. That pole cannot be move because its in concrete at per county inspector also this is the termite capital so any wood casing or hollow casing would be a freeway to attic. They also eat the form behind stucco. Your keep talking about black, they not a single blackon house. grey , grey and more grey
Sorry about the columns and the termites!
Grey you say? So those aren't black shutters; they are charcoal. So much the better! That's better than black. Think of a man in a grey suit, with a charcoal grey sweater, and a white shirt, then with a really classy tie color for accent.
I think your house is going to look wonderful after you dress it up a bit."Our whole American way of life is a great war of ideas, and librarians are the arms dealers selling weapons to both sides."-James Quinn
hey!! I don't see any gutters!.... Plant some trees and flowers. Do not put in flat rectangular flower beds...instead give them curves and changes in elevation such as mounds and rocks etc. Make the trees an integral part of the design, don't just plunk them in the middle of the grass, they can be part of the beds. How about a trellis-type unit all the way across the porch with some wisteria or such growing on it??? the possibilties are endless. %^} Maggie
brownbag...
i haven't read through all the posts and looked at all the pictures, so some of these ideas may be redundant...
here is a picture that looks like a kid with fingerpaint got a hold of it...
the yellow, blue, pink dots are flowers... green is trees and shrubs... that gray curvy thing could be a path of brick, pavers, or concrete
the brown is dirt flowerbeds... i moved your mailbox to the flowerbed and added some trees down the driveway to block your neighbors house...
also put a little porch fence with an opening for the front door... this would involve moving a couple of your porch posts to open up a space in front of the door.
just a thought...
Cool! Hanzel and Grettel should be along any minute now... :-)>Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Looks like some good ideas. The white posts and railings really stand out, and I would definately move that post over to open up the doorway. With this being a simple country looking house it might not hurt to screen in the right 2/3 of the porch, and define the other 1/3 as the entrance. Just my opinion for what it's worth- not much.
Steve
Soli Deo Gloria
Now thats nice. I'm keeping that picture. alot with the one with women and the pink chicken.
I thought about screening in the whole porch that would really piss off the neighborhood.
Very nice, pretty much what I was trying to describe in words. I'd go for a much bigger tree on the right, and put it more towards the street and the right lot line.
-- J.S.