Looking to improve exterior aesthetics of house

Tim_from_Trim

Hello Folks,

I have a quick question - I'm trying to help my mother settle into her new house in Donegal. We're looking for an ideas/ suggestions to improve the look of the house. She said its too boring and needs to make it more 'feminine' - thats her word not mine. She talking about removing the plaster to see if there is an old stone wall under it. This probably wont happen any time soon but if there is anyone there with a good eye for this - i would certainly appreciate any suggestions.

Tim

FrancieBrady

Surrounds need softening with different types and heights of plants and shrubs. Consider a wooden (oak maybe) porch which could have some climbing roses at door.

Looks like house was built to be plastered originally so going back to stone may cause issues with water ingress etc. Would be a massive job too by the time you get what looks like sound plaster off and repointing completed.

standardg60

Funny, I was going to say it's a fine looking house.

Anyway it doesn't look that old to me so I'd be surprised if there's nothing more than concrete block under the plaster.

If you want to make it look more 'authentic' plant some Virginia creeper around the base of the walls, it won't do any harm to the plaster work unlike ivy.

10-10-20

A very solid looking house. Many including myself would be jealous of it. :)

A porch and pillars would improve the facade, in my opinion; others will differ.

In terms of exposing the stone - you have part of your answer here as we can see the gable wall from your previous photo.

Bust as @FrancieBrady pointed out, it's probably not going to happen as the house was made to be plastered and revering to exposed stone will bring all sorts of damp issues.

Window boxes and flower-beds would be another thing to consider.

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121376255#Comment_121376255

Window openings would definitely suit window boxes.

Madd002

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058322833/looking-to-improve-exterior-aesthetics-of-house

I'd put fake shutters either side of windows and build a porch paint in a nicer colour, shrubbery and flowers to soften the look.

Tim_from_Trim

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think the idea of a porch and columns or a wood/oak porch is a good idea. Is there a prebuild kit that I could buy from a porch manufacturer in Ireland does anyone know? I dont have an eye for these things but would you have a photo of a porch or example of what you are thinking

Tim

Tim_from_Trim

My mother is very happy with your suggestions! But she wanted to know if anyone had any color ideas

FrancieBrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121376615#Comment_121376615

Probably best to look for someone local. Plenty of carpenters/joiners who would do this work. Found these people on a quick google.

Porches & Carports – Glenfort

You could use some similar stone that is in the front wall on something like this.

Madd002

Country cream for corner stones and sage green on main or vice versa be nice especially if you go with similar porch that @FrancieBrady posted, Carpenter could do shutters as well and paint in cream it'd be fabulous 👌

Dr_Colossus

Big block of a house but a massive gable wall without a single window which is surprising unless previous occupants were big handball players. What kind of rooms are at the gables and any prospects of breaking out a couple of windows to add light and break up the sheer amount of plaster?

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121376922#Comment_121376922

I'd leave all the corner stones but use something with a bit more colour on the plaster, the house is very "grey" at the moment and, as others have said, needs more planting to break it up.

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121379048#Comment_121379048

Agreed, it looks very sterile and bland right now.

Cream-based colours are the safe choice warmer option. Or you could go for greens if you're a bit braver.

Perks

I'd paint the front door in a hurry. It's very sterile. I'd even go as far as considering the windows, but start with the door anyway and then consider the guttering and downpipe, windows last.

Try purple. It would go well with the grey/salmony wall.

Tim_from_Trim

Thank you so much for all the advice. I found a pal who showed me how to use paint.net its a free version of Photoshop. We took your advice and tried a few colour ideas.

1) I found out the walls at each gable end are made from stone. They are approx 18" thick. Would it be a massive job to put in windows at the end of the house like Dr. Colossus mentioned?

2) Also does anyone know what those blemishes are on the front walls. It looks like moisture coming through the plaster? Probably not a good thing.... The house hasnt been properly lived in for years I heard.

3) The survey came back and it sounded like there was some moisture in the attic. The attic doesnt have any ridge vents or soffit vents. Do most irish houses have venting going through the attic?

Those are pvc windows so I don’t advise painting them. They are difficult to paint and pvc is not great at taking paint(even the specialist paint) and will be a ballache down the line. Maybe save the hassle and start saving for new windows with more character. Very expensive though.

My immediate advice is get a composite front door as it will (a) massively increase insulation and security and (b) by choosing a colour (composite doors can have any colour) will take the boring look of the building. Budget €2k plus for this as it has the side window panels. This company are Irelands largest producer of composite doors (you have to buy through a local fitter but they will refer you to the website to customise your door)

https://designer.palladiodoorcollection.com/retail?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6nsta5QmkYzKi57BcJq_4yADWl0kFPgZr569QwwKMuE7r2h4846ErgaApWJEALw_wcB

Paint the house white and then paint the door an interesting colour of your choice. Keep it simple, a few well placed potted plants out front will also help.

Removing plaster is generally a bad idea, it's there for a reason. Only the richest people could afford waterproof dressed stone, everyone else took stone from the field and without plaster it leaks.

awec

I think the white is nice, however I wouldn't leave the corner stones and sills grey, the different is too stark.

If you go white I'd pick a really strong colour for the door. Like a red or green.

Orange goes well against white