Expert: Nazim Nice - 7/14/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Nazim,

 First, thanks for taking time to help with your expertise. I've learned so much from reading your posts.

 I'd really appreciate your suggestions on improving the color/curb appeal of a house that my wife and I would like to update (picture attached). First, we feel that the exposed brick is a dated look and have seen recently built homes that include a similar chimney, but is covered with siding (of whatever material the rest of the home is using). This appears (to our unrefined/amateur eye's) to allow for a really nice color scheme that's usually accented with white trim that we really like. Is covering brick in this type of home (built in early 80's) something you would suggest? If yes, what kind of colors would you suggest?

 If that's not a suggested direction, would you have suggestions on what color scheme you would use and/or other curb appeal improvements?

 Again, thanks so much for your time.

Best,
Dave

ANSWER: Hi Dave,

I would seriously consider painting the brick first. I think if you work with some colors of a similar tone,you could make it work.

Here is an example. It's not the best example, but it's what I could find quickly:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/102849/Architecture-Walk--Exterior-Styles-and-Palett

The brick becomes texture when it is painted, rather than another material. Right now the brick on your house accents the corners of the house and the chimney. The reason they accented only the corners is that they would have had to install steel angles over the windows and garage doors to support the brick. That's too much work, so they just installed it on the sides.

As for wrapping the chimney, yes you can do this but there are codes to consider. There are separation distances from the chimney to combustible materials. It would be safest to use non-combustible materials like steel studs, cement board, and cement board siding. Or if you do use wood, see if fire resistant treated wood would be acceptable in your jurisdiction. Or you could have a plaster company stucco right over the brick which also would look good (but stucco does tend to be rather expensive, at least around the Seattle area).  

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
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Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
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Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. So still use the brick sections as accents with the same tones? or create other accents? We'll likely get new windows which usually are encased with a crisp white border. Would that be too out of place?

 Other color combination suggestions for this home?

 Also, what are some other ways that an experienced architect could improve the curb appeal?

Best,
Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,

One option would be to paint the siding and brick the same color. Then add your white windows and trim - I would look at breaking them up using grids and where possible using single or double hungs (this would not likely work in bedrooms - which I am guessing those three windows upstairs are . . . you would not meet the size required for egress). Then you could look at adding some dark accents, like painting the doors including the garage door, and possibly adding shutters. I've attached an example image.

Nazim Nice
Principal / Architect
http://www.motion-space.com
--
LEARN ABOUT MOTIONSPACE ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN:
Motionspace Architecture + Design Websites: http://www.motion-space.com
Read our blog at: http://www.motion-space.com/blog/
Learn more about us: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-information.htm
Architecture and design services: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm.htm
Levels of services: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-firm-service.html
Frequently asked architect questions: http://www.motion-space.com/frequently-asked-architect-questions.htm
Contact us: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-contact.htm
A list of all our completed projects:http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architecture-projects.html

PROJECT GALLERY
See our completed projects at: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-projects.htm
Lake Washington Waterfront House: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-lake-washington-waterfront-house.ht
The New American Farmhouse: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/apex-new-american-farmhouse.html
Rim Rock Ranch: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/bend-oregon-new-green-home.html
Green Lake House Remodel: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-green-lake-whole-house-remodel.html
Capitol Hill Condo Remodel: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-capitol-hill-condo-remodel.html
Seattle Capitol Hill Craftsman: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-craftsman-whole-house-remodel.html
Seattle Mid-Century Modern Remodel: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-midcentury-modern-remodel.html
Northwest Modern Remodel: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-brick-home-remodel.html
Mercer Island Remodel: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/mercer-island-ranch-remodel.html
Seattle Capitol Hill Craftsman: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-craftsman-remodel-addition.html
Kent Outdoor Kitchen: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/kent-outdoor-kitchen.html
Selbourne Lane Town homes: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/kent-new-townhomes.html
New Front Porch: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-new-front-porch.html
Seattle New Home: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/seattle-new-home.html
Bellevue Home Addition: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/bellevue-remodel-addition.html
Bellevue Landscape Design: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/bellevue-landscape-design.html
New Swimming Pool: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/apex-new-swimming-pool.html
New Front Entry: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/kent-new-front-entry.html
Planet Kids Daycare: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/new-daycare-bellevue-planet-kids.html
HPS: http://www.motion-space.com/projects/healthcare-payment-specialist.html

LEARN MORE
Looking for an architect?: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects.htm
Remodeling your bathroom: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-bathroom-remodel.htm
Laundry and mudroom design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-laundry-mudroom-design.htm
Remodeling your entire house: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-whole-house-remodel.htm
Information on Seattle Home additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-home-addition.htm
Adding a roof deck: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-roof-deck.htm
Choosing exterior colors and materials: http://www.motion-space.com/exterior-house-colors.htm
Read about remodeling your basement: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-basement-remodel.htm
Consider adding a second story addition: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-second-story-additions.htm
Sustainable and green design resources: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-architects-green-design.htm
Information on garage additions: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-garage-addition.htm
Kitchen Remodels: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-kitchen-remodels.html
New House Design: http://www.motion-space.com/seattle-custom-home-design.html

CHECK OUT OUR NEWEST PRODUCT - Custom Engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com
See our gallery of products: http://store.lumenid.com/product-gallery.html
Send in your own switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/mail-in.html
Uses for our custom engraved switchplates: http://store.lumenid.com/product-wheretouse.html