what to do with this funky facade?

we are considering purchasing this modern home.  we need a little insight though about how to make the facade less "modern meets english tudor" which cleary isn't working!  I think simply removing the brown lines will create a much cleaner look, but I also feel like the roof needs an overhang or something.  It is very strange looking...

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

can you post a larger image?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Previously Darin Dougherty wrote:

can you post a larger image?

 

 

 

I will see if I can throw a quick sketch together for ya.

thanks so much!  I look forward to seeing your suggestions.

A couple of quick ideas come to mind here.  You could (as you alluded to) remove the brown batten boards and paint the stucco white.  This would offer a great contrast to the red brick.  I would also look carefully at the upper floor window at the front and add some horizontal mullions.

Another great opportunity would be the garage door.  I could see a translucent panel door (glows at night and looks fabulous).  Not sure from the photo what is going on at the front door, but I'm sure it could be easily de-tudored if necessary with a new entry door.

I don't think you need to mess with a roof overhang.  The basic house has good lines.  You just need to play with color and proportion of the upper floor to make sure it doesn't read too heavy.  All pretty simple modifications with no major structural implications.

Good luck!

Well, I have it sketch up, just need to scan it an load it up to the site. I will propose a bit more than paint, but no structural changes. The only problem with just painting the top is that it is already overbearing, and looks heavy. I will try to get the sketch up by tomorrow and let the criticism begin.

thanks for the suggestions roxanne!  I actually drew up some sketches & had a similar idea to use horizontal mullions in the large windows...  I LOVE the glass garage door idea too.  I will have to look into it.

 

jonathan- I am eagerly awaiting your sketch!  thanks for taking the time.

Here ya go. I would have rather used the picture that you used in your ideas posting; the resolution was a little bad on the first one so I had to do some guess work. You will notice the theme is MCM meets modern; it is hard to go hardcore modern on older homes without it becoming an 80's Miami Vice white plaster box. In order to help balance the large upper portion of the house and to highlight the entry (which is currently tucked away) I added a tall vertical element, this could be framed in wood and then clad in wood, steel, plaster, whatever you choose. I also added a horizontal overhang that would give a covered walk to and from the driveway. I took some artistic license on the front porch since it was hard to tell if any windows exist or not (also removed the pedestal mount light). I added the horizontal mullions (per Roxanne's suggestion) to help break up the massive windows on the upper floor. The overall change requires more than a little paint work but it also, in my opinion, makes a more dramatic change. If I had better pictures I could probably sketch a more exact depiction. Let me know what you think.

Here is a larger version of the sketch.

wow- I love it!  thanks for taking the time to do this.  I will take a better photo from the same angle and post it.  

If you click on the second sketch you can print it at the better resolution, it was scanned at an 8.5x11 sketch.

Here is an example of a translucent garage door. I know I've seen the website for the company that makes these, but wasn't able to put my finger back on it. I can tell you I've seen this type of garage door installed and it looks fabulous!  The MCM house was painted dark bluish grey with bright orange trim.  Looked great....

 I would try making the garage door panels even a bit more horizontal and then making this garage door expression compatible with the large upper window.  Try adding another horizontal mullion to the upper window.  It might just be too much-  but would be worth some exploration.

Also, the foundation plantings- especially between the garage door and entry hide so much of the brick wall.  This is a really strong brick wall that's needed for some balance, so make sure it reads.  

Good luck!  Looks like a fun project.