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Expert: - 12/23/2009


Question

front of house
Hello there - Loved your answers and thought you may be able to help me with a decision I just can't make.  We built this country home ourselves.  We've been in a year, but need to order column wraps in the front, and finish our landscaping (added the big rocks & trees this year, next year is grass & more plants).  I LOVE the retro colours, can't get enough of reno'd 70s ranches, but hubby didn't want to dive into house plans in a retro design, so this was our comprimise.  I like the house to 'fit' in its rural surroundings, but can't see what's missing:
- I desperately need a colour for the columns (they'll be square columns, likely something like the ones on this homepage:  http://www.fypon.com/products/laborsaving/columnwraps.asp
- Also colours for front door, front door TRIM (we framed the extra wide trim around the door & transom but it's just primed).  
- Windows are vinyl so colour of window trim can't be changed
- Windows in general seem kind of bare - I lost the battle to add vertical siding for texture, so we have a sea of brick, and shudders won't work because of the stone sill.  Any trim / siding features we could add for some vavoom?
Really hope you can help - thanks!
Andrea


Answer
Hi Andrea,

Regarding column colors: it's a little hard to tell from the photo, but it seems like the columns should be either the color of the windows or the siding around the front door. In the photo they seem like they are close to being the same?  But in general I would say a lighter color like the windows.  

For the front door color, I would look at a dark color like the roof fascia trim, but paint just the door (the part that swings) and leave the trim the regular trim color.  

For giving the home some more interest, I actually think it has enough going on that adding too much more may look like you are trying too hard . . . I would look at landscaping next, adding some plants and paving surfaces to soften the brick and stone.  The two windows on the left (garage?)could use something in between them like a multi-stem tree to soften the brick and create some scale.  Then perhaps a small patio/courtyard space could be developed in the area in front of the front door? A low brick or stone wall would help define this area from the rest of the yard and help create an entry experience and some sense of privacy.

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
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Nazim Nice

Expertise

I am a Seattle Architect and can answer architecture and design related questions. Ask me about material suggestions or usage. Ask me about design options - what is good design and what is bad. Ask me about choosing exterior house colors and furniture layout options. Ask me about detailing and assembling houses or components in the home. Ask me about green design or materials. Ask me about choosing an architect, the architectural services, basement remodels, second story additions, and whole house remodels. Ask me about garage design, bathroom remodels, laundry and mudroom design, family room additions, and roof deck additions.

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Over 12 years of practice in the Architectural field including three years of internship plus 5 years of school. I have taught at the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and lectured at Carnegie Mellon University. I currently own and run the Seattle Architecture Firm, Motionspace Architecture + Design PLLC.

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