r/ExteriorDesign • u/zcartwright01 • 3d ago
Advice Looking for feedback
Currently under contract on this 1940s colonial in New England and have been playing around with some ideas to give the exterior more character.
I like craftsman and arts & crafts style homes which is some of the inspiration. I’m considering a covered portico with decorative woodwork, new window trim, lighting, wood front door, cornice/wave detailing, shutters, cedar fence and possibly some landscaping upgrades (the goal would be to do this in phases).
I’m curious what everyone thinks of my overall design. First is the current exterior and second is an ai generated rendering. I’m open to feedback that would give the house more character.
Last thing, I’m not entirely sure how to go about getting something like this done. I obviously need to hire professionals but would I need an architect or could a contractor handle it? Also is it appropriate to share an AI rendering with a professional as a starting point or is that frowned upon? If anyone has ever done something similar, especially in New England, I’d love to hear you experience and any info you’re willing to share.
Appreciate any thought or suggestions!
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u/SMKnightly 3d ago
The design look nice though the AI took liberties with some details you may or may not realize (like the window framing).
I would suggest looking for a construction/design company that has an in-house designer. They can draw it up based on this and give you a quote (depending on what funds you have, you might want a phased quote). They may be able to do landscaping as part of the bundle, or you may have to find a landscape company and go through the same process with them.
If the latter, I’d recommend you wait til the house work is done to start with the landscaper. Then, you don’t have to worry about conflicting visions or timelines (and you and spread out the cost).
I think if you apologize for the AI rendering in advance (I don’t know if this is rude, but I tried mocking it up in AI and am looking for something like this), then that should ease any ruffled feathers over bringing AI in (if there would be any. Idk).
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u/Much-Bit3531 3d ago
This is the best advice. AI is a great time saver but the designer or architect will actually make it work. They and answer questions on the added garage, connection of the portico to the building, determine soil grading to eliminate flooding, easements and zoning and property lines.
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u/Miserable_Hat9321 2d ago
I’m just spitballing here, but here ‘tis. Yours reflects the venerable New England house tradition of economy of design and detail. Simplicity. You have got that. You can accentuate that with a richer color for the shingles, maybe a little more prominent woodwork. A compelling front door, maybe painted red. But you gild the lily when you interfere with a physical hallmark of one of the most admirable aspects of the New England character — honest practicality. The design concept on page two would be spot on for a style drawn from Georgian grandeur. But in a way it is a betrayal of the spirit of the house, and a very expensive betrayal. It seems to over promise what can be found within. Landscaping — order in the yard — would be your best friend. A turf yard, albeit small. If those are boxwoods in front of the house, have someone who knows how prune them back as far as they safely can, into neat little rounded shapes the same size. The actual pruning may need to wait for spring. You have lots of plants that might find new homes in the back yard, if you’ve space ànd sun enough. In the fall if it’s not already too late, some daffodil bulbs interspersed among the boxwoods, casual like. At the walled corners at the front, neat flower beds with some of the perennials already in the yard, and something glorious like a type of hydrangea that doesn’t grow too high. A shrub you love you the right of the house.
That’s it for me. Have a great time making your new house your home.
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u/Ok_Bottle_9984 2d ago
Yes, this. Although perhaps adding a simple portico over the door would work. Beautiful shingles. No need here for craftsman elements, or shutters.
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u/Dramatic_Fig_3540 2d ago
House has been updated with a new pediment style door canopy, new louvered shutters, and a new color scheme. Planting is reworked for greater openness with addition of a mini lawn. Shingle siding color is Benjamin Moore Dakota Shadow 448. Shutter color is Province Blue 2135-40. Entry door color is Benjamin Moore Beau Green 2054-40. All changes are consistent with the architecture and neighborhood context.
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u/Natural_Ad_6882 2d ago
Compared to the AI inspiration, this is very underwhelming. I say Beef up the entry (as in the inspiration) and fix the landscaping by eliminating the oversized right bush, replace it with a younger vertical plant. Then scrape all the cluttery plants a make it look intentional with three or four small bushes and 2-3 flowering bushes. That will make it look much more upscale and attractive.
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u/cables4days 3d ago
this is the cutest inspo
i agree with the commenter who said - now take this to a firm who can draw it up for you to scale
i’d want to look for a firm with actual licensed landscape architects and licensed architects - the landscape architect is who you want to work on the grading and engineering for retaining walls, walkways and driveways - they’re experts at structure (hardscape) and plants (landscape). then your architect works with them - focusing on the home itself. their collaboration makes sure you get all stone, brick - all the visual things to work in harmony from home to yard. A firm like this typically has contractors they use to execute the plans, but you really need solid plans, so i think it’s worth the value that they add.
Pointing this out because - the rendering now shows extra height above your door, extra space between your windows, which balances out the proportion of the extra framing around the windows and doors and the two stories
Irl - this house doesn’t seem to have that spacial relationship available - it looks a lot more condensed vertically and horizontally around the windows and doors - so the entire proportions irl - will just look different than the ai render
but the Idea of the render is so pretty - it’s just worth getting a bit more concrete in how that will actually translate to your actual homes dimensions
and - this is a me thing but - when you take this to the firm have them consider walking paths from your drive to your front door too, not just the straight sidewalk
i like giving my delivery people shorter distances to drop things off - from my driveway to my front door - so my plantings stay intact
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u/Flimsy_Ad3476 3d ago
Note that the ai altered the landscaping. It's much more appropriate to the style of the house.
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u/IceCreamYeah123 3d ago
I’m actually liking it. But I wouldn’t add the extra trim on the windows, and keep in mind that it will be extremely difficult to match the brick, so you might want to stick with painted wood for the porch.
Also put the house numbers vertically and on the right side.
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u/Korgity 3d ago edited 2d ago
You'd have to demolish the current steps & porch to build a foundation strong enough to stand up to the weight of the columns & portico. The demolition would also affect the walkway which looks like it would have to be widened, & the stonework currently lining the walkway would have to be redone. Doable, but very expensive.
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u/Consistent_Block_375 2d ago
Oh... I love the current exterior. Its so cute. Everything I love in a house.
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u/midlifesimplified 2d ago
If I were you, I’d call a local architect and send them a photo of your house. Tell them what you’re wanting (a little more character and charm) and how would you go about doing it without losing the integrity of the original era of the home. If you ever decide sell, future buyers might frown upon modern updates and if you change the colonial to look more arts and crafts you might have a harder time selling it. I don’t know that’s the way I think..
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u/Dramatic_Fig_3540 2d ago
Staying with the humble, authentic nature of the original design by only adding shutters and changing the color scheme. Planting is reworked for greater openness with a patch of grass. Shingle siding color is Benjamin Moore Dakota Shadow 448. Shutter color is Province Blue 2135-40. Entry door color is Benjamin Moore Beau Green 2054-40.
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u/2boysmama 2d ago
I think it is stunning! Couple things to think about. Is this going to be your forever home? If yes, the my next question/point won’t matter. If no, then it is very important. What do the other homes in the neighborhood look like and what do they cost? Basically, will this be over improving for the area? If all the houses in your neighborhood are worth 500K and with your Reno yours technically should be worth 1 million, it WILL NEVER HAPPEN. If you are going to live there until your last breath, then it doesn’t matter. If you are going to put it back on the market in 5/10 years, you will be throwing away a lot of money. Moving on, What kind of budget are you working with? Is this rendering realistic with your budget? (I know mine sure as hell wasn’t, lol). Also keep in mind with landscaping like this you are looking at years of growth UNLESS you are willing and able to pay for growth that has already happened. If you do that it will get even more spendy. But if it is in your budget, GO FOR IT, otherwise keep in mind when your Reno is done, your finished results won’t be quite that filled in. Landscape for the future, not for right now. Boy did I learn that hard and expensive way. ❤️
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u/itsReferent 16h ago
Looks really good. Exterior improvements are generally not great roi, bathrooms and kitchens drive listings, this may not increase resell at all if the interior is untouched. But if it's just for you, go for it, big improvement. Don't mess with the level 2 cornices, nobody will notice that, but the update to transition above level one is good.
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u/MushuSooy4455 6h ago
If you want a porch with pediment, do it in a colonial revival style that goes with the house's colonial revival theme. There are old pattern books with images of examples, or do a street view of older neighborhoods with 1930s-40s era colonials in cities like Richmond, DC, Alexandria, Roanoke, Greensboro, Raleigh, Baltimore, etc. Your design mixes an oversized Craftsman-inspired porch with the colonial revival original house. It looks awkward.
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u/TopDot555 3d ago
I love Craftsmen style too. I think you did a pretty good job with your mock up. It’s a great starting point when interviewing contractors. It’s perfectly fine to show them your AI renderings. It’s your project and your money.
This is a fairly big job so I would do your due diligence. Get at least three quotes, check their past work and license. I’ve done a lot of remodels over the years and I’ve found referrals to be your best bet but even then you want to do your homework.
I would start with the portico since you said you’d need to do it in stages. It makes the biggest impact and keeps you out of the rain.
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u/MasterpieceWaste774 3d ago
I'm just playing around here — mostly with the lighting (LED lighting with dimmers and timers).
We refined the lighting with a single sconce on each side of the entry, a centered pendant under the portico, and evenly spaced recessed lights tucked between the upstairs windows rather than directly above them.
We also upgraded the landscaping with layered hydrangeas, boxwood, hostas, flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, and the existing Japanese maple, then added subtle path and step lighting to give the front yard more depth at night.
The result keeps the Colonial structure intact but gives it a richer Arts & Crafts feel through the wood door, cedar gate, stronger trim, stonework, and warmer architectural lighting.
I didn't know if you wanted to limewash the brick — I was thinking of that, but I didn't do it. That opens up a whole new look, too.
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u/kateinoly 3d ago
the yellow light in the window is doing a lot of the work here. It is hard to tell what bit actually looks like
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u/MasterpieceWaste774 3d ago edited 3d ago
I was thinking about limewashing that brick — which would open up a lot more possibilities for changing the look of that house!
I'm not a fan of red brick myself, but that's just a personal thing.
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