HI,
We do not like the brick on the front of the house we bought recently. We are thinking of covering them in vines and removing the front 'flower box' under the picture window which is being replaced soon. We're also having trouble coming up with a paint color to hide or distract from the brick. Perhaps we could paint the brick?
Any ideas would be awesome!!! Thanks.
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We've renovated similar projects and here's what I'd suggest. First, I'd remove those two large, overgrown bushes. They make the entry look small and narrow. Replace with smaller shrubs (maybe a dwarf variety) ro flowers. Second, I'd choose a new paint color for the entire house and paint both the brick and the siding. Third, I'd consider repainting the shudders to match the color scheme you choose for the house. You may also want to repaint the front door so the entire front entrance is refreshed. You'll be shocked at how amazing the house looks when you are done. Post us some pictures when you get there!
Might I suggest changing the siding on the 2nd storey to a board and batten style OR leave as is and paint in a dark colour, such as dark grey or espresso or black. Paint the trim around the windows to match or use a complimentary colour to the siding colour, a few shades lighter.
For the door, may I suggest updating the door and side light much the first gallery photo found here: http://www.portatecqc.com/english/portfolio-details.php?2 (black door, clean simple lines, lovely window)
Choose a vibrant colour for your door and sidelight - myself, I chose a Fiery Red custom painted 3/4 door with a gorgeous lockset and beautiful stained glass window from Portatec. It was expensive, but worth every last penny. For the record - I am a first time home buyer, in a dated 80's townhouse. The red door made our place stand out and suits our personality.
Next, consider removing or trimming down the hedge, and use that garden! I covet it!!! If you're not fond of the brick, consider growing plants in front of the garden wall - lilies, a hedge (like the two framing the door, great idea, just shift it over!), etc.
As for the brick, I am a firm believer in never painting it unless the brick is extremely ugly (pale blue or pink anyone? or badly mottled looking). Your brick is classic and in good shape it looks like. I say work with it.
Thoughts?
MJ
Thanks for the great ideas. The roof shingles are brown. I think if I can get some ivy going on the bick it will help. I like the window box idea..very good. The new windows have grills. The picture window is being replaced by 3 windows together..I think it will look sharp. I like the dark color idea for the house..my wife does not. She would prefer a taupe type color.
Should see the inside what we've done. Before we moved in there was a 91 year old lady then some teen squatting....We tore out the bathroom, kitchen, all flooring, bookcase in living room, fireplace, chimneys repointed, new furnace some plaster....Replaced or refinished it all...it looks amazing. Painted the brick fireplace black and put a white mantle on...looks awesome. Refinshed all hardwood and layed tile. hellish work but worth it. Worst house on best street will change soon!
You could try going to a paint store or even box store and look for the paint chips that have the combo colours on one chip. i.e. Brick colour, shingle colour and then your third colour. This might help you narrow it down. If you can't find a combo that suits your colours, do it yourself. Find the brick colour in a paint chip and then a shingle colour in a paint chip and holding them together, hold them with other colours or just run it along all the colours in the display and when one jumps out at you, pull that one out and look at the lighter versions as they might look better.
Post pics when you decide.
Sounds Great, wow you really made good progress! I am from the belief, the door is the most important, its the gateway to your home, If all that gets you there is beautiful, you dont notice the foilbles.
What colour is the roof? Can you go a darker slate/grey on the clapboard? as well, is there a black tone/chunk in the brick?? that would make it dramatic with white windows
Depending on the window choice, you can either louver the windows, or consider upper window boxes in future,
Thanks for the reply and good suggestions. We have ordered a new front door and new windows. We are limited with the door due to the size. We are stuck with the side window. Yes the mail slot is going too! We are taking out those oversized Yews and framing the house in with better landscaping including rhodos, azaeleas, a weeping cherry and a few perennials. The color of the house is a challenge. I think by removing 'flower box' under teh big window will make a difference. What adunp that house was..but its on a beautiful street and has a ton of potential..
thanks!
Paul
I think the door and mail slot is a bit dated and if you had more of an 'entrance' it would deflect from the brick. This house needs updated landscape from what I can see, again a small investment in some nice trees/shrubs, etc, vavoom
Also, if you dont like the house colour the darker you go will drown out the brick, but still try to find the hue that is in the brick for the colour of the paint, you cant clash with it even though you dont like it
nice house;)