Hey gals,
I ran down to the house and took a picture of the front of the house and its not so appealing curb appeal. Number one on my list is getting rid of the horrible tree. I get that it probably serves somewhat of a purpose (blocking wind, sun, etc) but its UGLY! And simply must go. Thats all the plans I have for now....so feel free to toss around some ideas/mockups. I'm open to anything!! Thanks!
:) Mel
ps..I know its bad, but it'll be fab when we're done with it!!!!
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This is pretty rough and not 3D at all, but how about something dark and modern?? See how much better it looks without the big tree blocking the front of the house?? :)
It's mostly all paint. Widen the porch & steps right across the front of the house, add a walkway to the porch in large square & rectangular stones, and paint the front door red :) Oh,and a simple black iron railing at each end of the stairs and a couple of lights.
I don't think anyone lets their home look bad or uncared for because they couldn't be bothered. There is usually something behind it, whether it's sickness, grief, injury, money - something. I think a little compassion goes a long way.
We were remodelling a bathroom that had an ugly, tiny, useless little window misplaced up high on the wall - that in case you hadn't realized yet I didn't like - but all the prices I was able to find to replace it with a nice big bay were in the 2 - 3 thousand range (because I wanted a much bigger window) and just not in the budget. We are like you - lots to do. However, when I had the contractor working here, DH and I had a disagreement and I felt like I deserved cheering up, so I asked the contractor if I bought a bay window if he'd stick it in for me. We had to help him, but he said sure, and told me to go see the guy at the glass shop in town where we buy mirrors and stuff. I didn't even know he had windows - tiny little shop with no showroom.
I was in enough of a temper to trust him and buy it sight unseen because he had to order it in - just gave him the measurements I wanted, and wound up with a beautiful bay that has been in for 4 or 5 years now and I still love it - for less - including labour - than $700.00.
So if you are going to have a contractor on site - I'm just saying ............
Many people don't understand the value of upgrading their properties either. If they have a 40 year old bathtub and it's still functional then there is no reason to replace it, no matter how disgusting looking it is, in their eyes.
It could also be that their money is spent on other priorities, I guess once you move in and get to know your neighbours you will find out.
In reference to the other side of your duplex, it is amazing how when someone starts sprucing things up, it spreads. Unfortunately, many people (myself, especially) have lived or looked at something so long that they can't see it needs updating improvement or that something is wrong.:D
Ooooops...I mean Anrol..not Arizona. Sorry guys!!!
Anrol is actually the landscaping mock up guru queen, NOT me :laugh:
When the window guy came here I asked about getting a bay or bow window in the living room, just a ball park. Many of this model from that time had them but this one didn't and I was just curious because they are a nice feature you don't often see these days. Well it would cost about $5,000 so that idea is definately on the back burner. I'm not even sure I want one anymore because the furniture layout has to have a sofa infront of the window anyway.
WoW! Thanks for all the responses gals! I love the idea of extending the entry and the thought of a bay window makes me drool... but since we have to replace the kitchen, all the flooring, and finish the basement...I'm just not sure the bay window is even a remote possibility...at least this year. The entended entry however is a definite go! I'm just worried about updating our side of the duplex too much...considering the other side is not updated at all. Will that look weird? Should I even be concerned? Isn't it just sucky for them that they'll live on the crappy side of the dulex?? LOL! Any ideas for paint? I honestly don't knw where to start with the mix of stucco and siding and ugly trim...ew. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the red door in Arizona's mockup and had already planned to do that! (Great minds and all that)
I'm hoping to plant some tall shrubs under the window to try and minimize that gap. And I plan on calling the by-law crowd and seeing what the rules are for tree removal. There is also one of those ugly low spreading junipers or spruces closer to the curb that is just AWFUL! You gals know what I'm talking about? Anywhoo....that one needs to come out too, and I just know its gonna be a pain!
Here's a couple of pics of the side yard....its actually got some nice features. I can't wait to get in there and play with it! Does anyone know what kind of rose (?) this is?
Thanks gals!!! I missed you.
:) Mel
I like the mock up too. What are your plans for that big window? My "knee-jerk" reaction is to put in a bay - it would be awesome. If you are going to go to that expense though - between extending the porch and changing the window, I would consider sending a picture into Cityline and letting Brian or someone give it a professional once over.
Congratulations!! on your new home Mel.....I think Anrol's mock-up with the bigger entrance looks great.Hopefully you will be able to remove the big tree.
Good Luck!
Congrats on your new home!! and I like the mockup showing the extension of the front entry way. :) It will be great!!!!
Hey there Mel your lucky that tree is still standing after that nasty wind and rain storm you guys had up there a few days ago. I would be nervous having that tree right in the front of my home.
Yay, Mel!!! That's great that you have bought a new house! Congrats! I would also move the large tree. I would probably extend the porch and plant a dwarf tree (weeping mulberry?) to the right of the pic. I tried something for you and put small plantings in the front of the house using riverrock for mulch around the shrubs. You could use flagstone in the area at the bottom of the steps. Anyway-- just some ideas
I have no regrets about getting 3 large trees removed from the front, I don't miss them one bit. They totally hid the house. I don't know why people plant them right next to the house, don't people realize they grow???
As much as I like trees, I think you are right. That one is just too big and too close to the house for comfort. I would worry about roots and foundation and it does seem they had another tree they already cut in the front. I bet nothing can grow there with all that shade and if that tree drops pine needles or whatever, the soil is probably too acid now.
Meanwhile I will tell you there was a neat little house near me that had a huge pair of trees like that out front. They were just too big for the house and eventually someone took them out. The house looks totally different and instead of a barren front yard, they have a nice one now that really helps the look of the house.
recently i watched 'curb appeal' - it's amazing how the big porch around the house can change apperance of the little house. i don't know how much do you plan to do, but after that program i see that for your house a porch that will cover area of your entrance and window on the right will be great addition. for the top windows you can add some flower boxes or (more expensive option) make the porch roof more angled. i included the inspirational pics, hopefully they make more clear by demostrating of what i was saying.
Thats awesome Mel. I know I feel the same way about showing pictures of my condo. I promise it will not look like that when I am done with it!
I just thought some river bed stones under the window where those dried up looking bushes are. Then you could do more river bed stones on the front if you wanted to get rid of the small amount of grass that is there (and ship it to me) and put in ornamental grasses and yuccas and things like that. It keeps it modern looking and maintainance free. I'm not very good at the picture part but hopefully you get the drift.
Gosh, I've seen a lot worse than that.
It looks to me that it just needs some serious landscaping. That big evergreen looks like it's a few feet away from the house which can't be good. Check with your municipality if you need a permit to cut it down though first. You might find out you need a better reason to cut down the tree other than you not liking it. The house seems to have a very simple, clean, linear look to it. I would go in that direction with that, meaning think about replacing the black metal railing with something more streamlined and modern. Maybe even replace the stairs with something less blocky and traditional.