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amykath

Ideas for the exterior?

amykath
11 years ago

I am working with a realtor and investor in flipping homes. My job is to help with the design for remodel.

The exterior of this home is quite odd.

I was curious of what you guys would do to help with curb appeal.

Thanks!!
Amy

Comments (23)

  • Annie Deighnaugh
    11 years ago

    Where's the house?

    From this angle you can't see a single door or window on the 1st floor.

    Will they be willing to replace the garage doors with something more carriage house?

    What is that black stuff creeping up the brick between the garage doors?

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    The home is in San Antonio, Tx.

    I am headed out to see it today and will find out more regarding the budget.

    I would say the neighborhood is a bit more contemporary.... you know... the 70's 80's type.

    I think the black stuff on the brick is probably due to moisture and humidity.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Here is a better photo. You can see more of the house in this one. This was six years ago. Now it is a foreclosure. You can see the deterioration.

  • rrah
    11 years ago

    I would start by removing all of the landscaping next to the house, especially that bush near the garage. I would keep the tree in the yard. It definitely needs something on the right side to break up that wall. I would do low growing plants or flowers in that space near the garage or enlarge the sidewalk area and eliminate it completely so that the entrance to the door is more visible.

    If they have to replace the roof, I would use a different color. The roof is so overwhelming that the house looks like a giant mushroom.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thanks rrah! That is hilarious! It DOES look like a giant mushroom!

    What color would you select for the roof?

  • Tmnca
    11 years ago

    The house reminds me of "Cousin It" (Adams family) with the windows/eyes peeking out of the roof/hair. If a facelift is all that's being done (no windows added for example) it is vital that you remove the overgrown landscaping (taller than 2' especially the giant blob obscuring the front door) so one can at least see the front door, and if there are any windows at all on the front near the ground floor.

    Then I would plant some larger shrubs on the right side, to hide the strange expanse of solid brick where one would expect a window. Maybe some of the plants can be moved...

    Get the exterior powerwashed, it looks dirty and that will make a difference.

    Paint the front door a nice red color to draw the eye, since the door is so hidden. Place some nice pots or urns with colorful flowers near the door, and some more color in the flower beds to compensate for the monochromatic house.

    Perhaps a nice bench or swing seat out front on the right side of the house - under the tree or with a canopy for shade? Suggestive of relaxing, idyllic days.

    On a positive note the tree has grown nicely in 6 years!

  • kellyeng
    11 years ago

    This might be super cost-prohibitive but since the roof is so prominent I might consider doing a red tile roof. I'm just north of SA and tile roofs are very popular. And really, with the chimney, you might even be able to pull off a hacienda style.

  • Boopadaboo
    11 years ago

    Huh. I kind of like the roof. It looks like a thatched roof and that you could make it look like a cozy cottage to me. :)

  • cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
    11 years ago

    I agree with boop. Once you remove the overgrown shrubbery, look at it with an eye toward giving it an English cottage feel with a cottage garden. If you could paint the trim of those odd windows or even give them a little more heft, it might help camouflage them somewhat. Cousin Itt indeed! Funny.

    You could expand the garden across the front and add a trellis with climbing roses across that windowless section as a backdrop and to disguise (at least make less obvious)the fact that there are no windows there.

  • pugga
    11 years ago

    Agree with much above. A good power washing, get rid of the overgrown shrubs, etc.

    I think I like the roof. I'm curious what lurks behind the shrub hiding the chimney. Trellises to break up the large expanse of brick (like someone else suggested).

    That will give it a good start at least.

  • Vertise
    11 years ago

    I don't think the house will ever look right with the garage peak (looks like an add on) and the goth looking conehead caps on the chimney! I think I'd tone down the paint on the garage doors (not sure the windows contribute anything other than drawing attention) and the upper windows so they don't pop so much. A roof color similar to but darker than the stone to subdue it. Of course, remove all the crowded shrubbery at the entrance. Wonder what it's hiding.

    I wonder if this was the original architecture or if a second floor was added. Do the other homes in the neighborhood look like this? It doesn't seem to have been designed with aesthetics in mind.

    This post was edited by snookums2 on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 13:32

  • awm03
    11 years ago

    I kind of like the lines of the house. Hard to tell from the photo how well the brick works with the roof color (phone cameras are too fuzzy).

    I don't think it needs to be tarted up with paint. Here it is with nicer windows, garage doors, trimmed hedges & a walkway light amidst the petunias:

  • kellyeng
    11 years ago

    Here is my idea for a Hacienda:

    {{!gwi}}

  • Vertise
    11 years ago

    I like the warm colors! Could someone lop off those ears on the chimney, lol? Either that or add a nose. I'd like to see what it would look like without the garage peak too, just out of curiousity. I'm sure reconstruction is not in the budget!

    Have to consider the neighborhood too when drastically changing the style.

  • Tmnca
    11 years ago

    If this is a flip I am assuming no major work like a new roof would be worthwhile.

  • Vertise
    11 years ago

    On the other hand, if you get the roof right, it could make a huge difference with the sales price. If it's already been replaced, then that's another issue.

  • PRO
    Lori A. Sawaya
    11 years ago

    Cottage - yep, can see that.

    Hacienda - love that idea too.

  • amykath
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Kelly and and AMW. Thanks for taking the time to photoshop!

    Great ideas you guys! Also, some good laughs!

    Thanks everyone!

  • bronwynsmom
    11 years ago

    I would also take out some of the lawn, and make a wide planting bed along the outside of the sidewalk, across the whole front of house, and one around the tree, out to the drip line. I'd mulch them heavily, plant it with a ground cover that can spread to fill it, and plant some evergreen shrubbery that's good in your zone across the front. Whoever buys the house can plant whatever they like in the beds.

  • Vertise
    11 years ago

    Curious. does the rest of the neighborhood share the same architecture?

  • teeda
    11 years ago

    I think the house would be dramatically improved by adding windows on the right. I could even see a high but wide awning type window with a window box underneath. That would work well with the english cottage style if you go in that direction.

  • chibimimi
    11 years ago

    To me, the dormers are the biggest issue. They are too narrow and tall. The roofs sit on them like cheap toupees. If you cannot rework them entirely, could you at least extend the rooflines down a bit to match the overhang on the rest of the house? That would make them more in proportion.

  • mtnrdredux_gw
    11 years ago

    Oh thank goodness this isn't your home, I was trying to think of how one could possibly comment politely. Pretty darn ugly. I think the proportions of the major elements are all out of whack; no cheap fix here. The roof is wrong, the chimney is wrong, the dormes are wrong and the front elevation fenstration is wrong. The tree might be the most valuable thing on the lot. : )

    I do like what awm did to break up the garage mass by making the doors darker, and I agree the cheapest direction is probably to go cottage-y.

    Can't wait to see what you do.