VISIONEERING HOMES

Exterior Design

CURB APPEAL BLOG POSTS

7 Swoonworthy, Modern Exterior Design Transformations

Updated: Jun 14, 2021

These modern exterior design transformations are from all different house shapes and styles. Take a look at these before and afters to get inspired to update your home in a modern way!

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1. BRICK TUDOR - MODERN UPDATE

I can't believe how good this transformation looks! The lighter painted brick paired with darker wood accents is a timeless style. Couple that with the modern path, waterfall entry stairs, and the modern landscaping and we're looking at the hottest modern tudor in the entire neighborhood!

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2. MID CENTURY RANCH - A MODERN MAKEOVER

The use of dark painted brick offset by the cedar siding and garage doors makes this home a show-stopper! Turning the cedar cladding around the corner directs the eye to the entry and the modern path helps you get there. I also love when the landscaping compliments the color and adds to the architecture of the home.

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3. Craftsman Ranch - Modern Exterior Renovation

Wow, the before and after on this California ranch home is eye-popping! There's just something about dark trim and wood cladding. And the raised concrete planter beds add so much intrigue to this design— I can't get enough!

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4. 80s Craftsman Conversion

This dated craftsman needed a little bit of love. Changing the color scheme, adding wood and stone elements in favor of the brick and swapping out the windows for a more modern counterpart completely changed this home. I also appreciate how the arched window was swapped out for some matching transoms to welcome this home into the 21st century.

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5. White Home Get's Modern Character

What a complete transformation this design went through; from the new modern canopy with stone columns and cedar soffit to the paneled garage siding, this home has it all. I especially love the added modern box bay window.

6. White Home Get's Modern Character

I love the transformation on this two story modern home! The new windows adds welcoming transparency on the front elevation and the two-tone paint scheme adds much needed contrast with the original stone.

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7. Painted Brick Raised Ranch

Sometimes simple changes lead to incredible transformations. I love how the black painted brick instantly adds a modern style. Paired with the right garage and entry doors and a new functional porch and grand entry modern stair and people will be driving slower as they pass this head-turner!

Mountain Home Gets A Modern Update

A Utah family came to me looking for some design direction for this home that had been in their family since it was built. They ultimately wanted to do something that would be eye-catching, something modern and updated that would keep pace with the renovations that were happening in their mountain neighborhood!

After the homeowner shared photos of their home, their design ideas and their heart for what they were hoping to accomplish with their project, I brought some immediate thoughts about approach, style, and color and we got to work. Together, we worked through several different combinations with natural wood, dark vs light, light vs dark, even adding a bit of color but the winning combination was the high-contrast option above!

The homeowner shared some of the photos of the home's progress. Everything looks incredible! From the linear, directional walkway, to the paint contrast, I think the design looks even better in photographs! That's not to say the project was perfect by any means, no project ever is. Getting the right paint color, light fixtures and deciding on the entry doors were all unique challenges, but I will say, the results are impressive!

If you want to replicate this look on your home the project information can be found below:

About the Author: Brad is the CEO & Founder of Visioneering Homes. He is passionate about all things architecture, residential design, and providing easy access for homeowners to professional design services. Him and his wife have 3 kids and enjoy an adventurous life in the mountains of the American west.

Should You Paint Your Brick?

Updated: May 22, 2021

Painting your brick is evil right?... Or is it? Before you pick up that brush we'll discuss the morality of brick painting and how to paint your brick the right way so you can approach your house project with confidence.

Why would you paint your brick?

Painting brick seems to bring out strong opinions in people—those for painting brick and those against it.

Those against painting brick tend to believe that the natural texture, earthy tones and the variation of color in brick is beautiful and should be preserved. Those in favor of painting brick tend to believe the exact opposite. So who's right?!

Answer: Neither.

My position on whether or not brick should be painted is very neutral— if you think your house would look better with painted brick, have at it! After all, there's beauty in diversity and there are some not-so-attractive bricks out there!

Truth be told though, I didn't always have that opinion. I used to believe painting brick was a cardinal sin because I believed (and still believe) that all natural materials were special and brought a level of interest to a home that is difficult to replicate with manufactured products.

My position has changed however, because I believe that beauty can be achieved many different ways, including painting brick (I just heard all the purists GASP!)— but you must do it right!

How to paint your brick the right way?

Many sources (all of the purists) claim you can't paint brick because it encapsulates the brick and keeps it from living its best life. This is certainly true if you use the wrong paint.

Your best offense when painting your home's brick is excellent prep work and a high quality paint suitable for masonry applications. Most of the major paint brands (Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, etc.) have tintable paints specifically designed for exterior brick.

These paints are made to release moisture that is absorbed by the brick, leaving you with a high quality finish for years to come.

Stain your brick!

One detractor about painting brick is that it removes most of the natural color variation of the material which tends to flatten a design. One thing you can do to avoid this is by staining your brick rather than painting it.

Brick stains, unlike paints are dyes absorbed into the brick altering its hue. What this achieves is more variation in color brought on by the natural variation in your brick achieving a more brick-like look but to a color matching your specific appeal.

Limewashing your brick is a similar process, only limewashes only make your brick white. So if you are looking for a white brick solution but want to keep some of the variation, limewashing is a good option, but if you want to change it to a color other than white look to brick stain.

Try it out first!

I will add that painting brick is pretty permanent so before you dive headfirst into it I suggest making sure what you are about to do is something you will love about your home!

Visioneering Homes has helped other homeowners like you see their brick painted or dyed with a digital exterior rendering. We also work with these homeowners to get a full exterior design picture so that they can have a complete design to work towards—like the example below!

If you're considering painting your brick or remodeling your home's exterior, you need to visit our website to learn more about how we can help you with your home exterior design project.

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