Ask the Designer: Heather Solves Your Design Dilemmas
With 20+ years of experience, Innovatus Design founder Heather Mastrangeli is here to answer design questions from the community.
Have a Design Dilemma? Heather can help! Visit our contact page or email us at info@innovatusdesign.com.
Group Member Coley Asks:
“My first question is, is there anything I can do about the brick? It’s really pretty, but I know I’ll get bored quickly with the brown.”
Heather’s Solution:
Congratulations on your new home! We’re glad you’re here!
I see what you mean about potentially getting tired of the brick, but as a designer, I don’t feel the brick is an issue. The overall facade of the house feels tired and washed out because of the lack of contrast.
My first recommendation is to power wash the brick. This will brighten the house and make it feel newer.
Next, look at the trim color and the front door color. Introduce a contrasting color. You can use cream if you’re looking for a brighter look overall. If you’re looking for something richer, go for a deep brown or deep forest green on the Trim. I still recommend keeping the door lighter so it’s easier to see through the porch area.
Clean the light and paint the post black (to match the stair railing) or light to match the new trim.
I also recommend replacing the tall evergreens (they may have been removed already based on your post) with boxwoods (depending on what zone you’re in) so the windows aren’t blocked and the house is more aesthetically balanced.
If a new roof is on the horizon, go darker for more contrast.
Solar lights lining the front walk would look beautiful. Look for some that shine down, not up so they cause minimal disruption to the nocturnal life in the area.
It’s a cute house!