Old House Restoration Makeovers Restore Lost Curb Appeal

Scope of Work:

• Paint colors – vinyl windows not painted.
• Remove storm door.
• Louvered shutters.
• New carriage house garage door.

Suggestions to further improve curb appeal:

• Dormer is not designed properly. Redesign and replace square window in dormer with a rectangular window.
• Add two additional dormers to balance out house.
• Add landscaping and walkway to driveway.

Scope of Work:

• Exterior paint colors.
• New window and casings.
• New cove molding.

Since there are three types of siding, three base colors were used accented by an eggplant color.

Suggestions to further improve curb appeal:

• Landscaping.

McMansions have numerous unnecessary architectural features such as different clashing roof lines and window styles. Your eyes are attracted to these large confusing elements. By distracting you, the builder is able to keep costs down by skimping on important features such as window frames etc. This homeowner wanted to balance out the house better with a more traditional look and improve curb appeal.

Scope of work:

• Window crowns added to casing
• Louvered shutters were added which softened the look. They could not be added on the top floor due to the confusing layout.
• Window boxes
• Correct and add Landscape to soften the harshness.

Suggestions to further improve curb appeal:

Curb appeal can be greatly improved by planting some large trees on each side of the house to frame the house – especially on the left in front of the garage. The left garage section is large and very heavy for the rest of the house. A large tree will improve the overall feeling. The 2nd floor area on the main house including the roof should be redesigned.

Rear of house

A bland house needs life. The house was designed from the inside with no regard for the exterior. Windows are haphazardly spaced with no room for shutters.

Scope of work:

• Window crowns added to casing.
• Overhang and brackets added to garage.
• New wood garage doors.

Click here to better understand aesthetics in architecture.

A previous homeowner removed all the original wood trim on the windows and entrance and replaced it with a simple casing. The cornice is plain and has two modern brackets that are small in proportion to the house. Original historic brackets were found in the basement and duplicated. My rendering was used to obtain Historic Preservation Commission certificate of appropriateness.

Scope of Work:

• New window surrounds.
• New front entrance to match period of house.
• Replace modern brackets with historic size.
• Add dental molding on cornice.
• New period paint color scheme.

Scope of Work:

• Exterior paint colors.
• New porch railing to match period and style.
• New porch steps and newel post.
• New porch skirt.
• Window shades and Irish lace curtains.

Suggestions for future improvement:

• Replace windows with 2-over-2 true divided lights as in original photo.
• Landscaping at corners only.