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Expert: - 12/6/2004


Question
how would you brighten up this exterior without much money?  i am thinking of painting the doors and shutters on this complex to match the off-white siding color.  what do you think of painting this brick since it is all brown colors.
any ideas without a complete facelift?
i can email you two exterior pictures.

Answer
Paul:

Thanks for the photos.  You don't need to paint the brick - in fact, that would just add to your maintanence down the road.  Instead, get rid of all of the dark brown: replace the shutters, downspouts, and gutters; paint all the trim (fascia, soffits) and window/door frames; paint the steel railings; paint the doors; and replace the storm doors.  Lightening up all of these items will make a big difference and give the building new life.

I'd also suggest trimming the hedges down below the windows and removing the large overgrown bushes at the front.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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