Updating the new house

[dmcummins]

In another thread I said I bought a fixer upper, but actually I guess it just needs updating. I’m gutting the bathrooms and kitchen, and will have all new flooring. New dock and lift out back.

I’ve had the landscapers out and they are going to pull most everything out except that triple palm in front. That will make it easier to paint, and the wife wants a different layout.

I’m thinking of having the brick stuccoed over. You really don’t see much brick down here and it looks out of place.

Any ideas?

This pic was taken before we had the house and roof power washed. So it looks a little better now, the roof is actually a cream color.

[BK911]

I like the brick.
Why be like everyone else?

[tevake]

Glad to see that you were able to close the deals in these difficult times.

I like the brick accents in the front too. Nice charicter, but it's all so subjective and it will be fun to watch you make it the way you want.

Cheers Richard

[Bill Douglas]

A nice look and style about the place.

[Zeke]

I too will vote for the brick but...

If you think it's too dark, you might be able to sorta white wash it. This is done with a white pool plaster that is brushed on and then brushed into the brick until it looks the way you want. Like they do with so called 'used' bricks at the supply yard. It will dry considerably lighter so do plenty of testing before doing something that can't be undone easily. Getting some spare bricks might be good idea.

There are different techniques too, like splattering the white plaster and then rubbing it with burlap. When being creative there are many paths.

[DonDavis]

Beautiful home. I like Milt’s thoughts.

A buddy here in Az bought an older home with similar amount of brick accents that had been painted over. He had the brick media blasted and and it looks fantastic. He also pondered stuccoing it over and was pleased he didn’t.

Looking forward to the progress phots.

[ltusler]

Get the landscaping out of the way and then re-evaluate.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by ltusler

Get the landscaping out of the way and then re-evaluate.

Best idea.

[Baz]

You call that landscaping?

[Baz]

The palm you are keeping is a triple trunk Adonidia - aka Christmas Palm - aka Manilla Palm. Looks like a Queen Palm at the far right. I'd put another one (Queen Palm) at the left corner of your house which will do two things - help frame your house - and provide some continuity with your landscaping. It will also provide shade of course.

Plants I'd consider to fill in - Hawaiian Ti Plant (do not used the 'Red Sister' variety), 'Mammy' Croton, Trinette Schefflera, and Indian Hawthorn.

If you want - send more detailed pics after landscaping is removed for further input.

How's the irrigation system?

Have you thought about landscape lighting? Low voltage LED is where it's at.

Congrats!

PS - I'd keep the brick also, just based on the one pic you posted.

[Baz]

Get rid of the rock too....yuk!

[Eric Coffey]

Maybe white-wash the brick to a lighter (grey?) color first, before committing to stucco. Might consider painting the trim a more contrast-y color. I'd probably square off the front entrance arch, and updated the gable vents as well. Not sure how far you want to go with it, but that looks like a decent candidate for a circular driveway as well (remove center landscaping next to house in lieu of a small half-circle "island" out front, and get rid of the grass. YMMV.

[Sooner or later]

Demo and start from scratch.

Just kidding

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Baz

Get rid of the rock too....yuk!

It’s all going. The irrigation is fine. The back is worse.

Thinking of going with some royal palms, or foxtails for the back. I’ll be interested with what the landscapers come up with.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Maybe white-wash the brick to a lighter (grey?) color first, before committing to stucco. Might consider painting the trim a more contrast-y color. I'd probably square off the front entrance arch, and updated the gable vents as well. Not sure how far you want to go with it, but that looks like a decent candidate for a circular driveway as well (remove center landscaping next to house in lieu of a small half-circle "island" out front, and get rid of the grass. YMMV.

Most of the work this year is going to be on the inside. But the paint looks bad along the bottom of the house. So when the bushes come out it’s going to be very noticeable. And it would be a good time to address the brick, either white wash, paint, or stucco.

Just a lot going on, I’m waiting for a dumpster so the guys can start working on the master bath. And waiting for the cabinet guy to see what he comes up with. And I need to talk with the plumber. The house has copper pipes running under the slab, there have been some problems with leaks on some homes and I want to have new water lines run. Now would be a good time do it.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

Demo and start from scratch.

Just kidding

There are a few doing that in this area. There are some older homes built back in the 70’s that are sitting on some nice lots. Houses that have the low ceilings and smaller sq, footage. I have a friend getting ready to have his nocked down and a new one built. His isn’t that old, but he bought the place next door and likes his view.

[MRM]

Don't change the brick. The house looks very well designed with elements of mid century design. Changing the brick will change the character of the house and ruin the look. It's a nice look that will continue to age well. Cookie cutter fake Spanish style ramblers are all over the place. Yours looks much nicer than them. Keep yours the way it is, update the trim and enjoy a relatively maintenance free exterior.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

It’s all going. The irrigation is fine. The back is worse.

Thinking of going with some royal palms, or foxtails for the back. I’ll be interested with what the landscapers come up with.

Alexander Palms - if you can get them.

Self-pruning.

Very small inflorescence unlike Foxtails and Royals - so no heavy fruit stalks to deal with.

Royals don't match up good with your home's design either - in my humble opinion.

Those Hawaiian Ti Plants - a good variety is "Auntie Lou". Like I said - do NOT use "Red Sister". They are a vertical element so put them in front between the windows and at sides of all windows. The color you'll get is very dramatic and unparalleled by any other ornamental.

Under no circumstances do you want any Viburnum or Ligustrum. Podocarpus is OK for a "green" vertical element.

A Crepe Myrtle is also a nice small flowering tree for an accent in back. One of the newer compact ones.

Sorry - don't want to step on your landscaper's toes.

[dmcummins]

Thanks, I just have a lot to think about. I haven’t picked a landscaper for the install yet. I had a reqular guy that I liked, but he retired and turned his work over to the guys that I hired to remove everything. I asked them to give me a plan on new. I’m also going to get another opinion.

As to trees in the back, I’ve just looked at what others have. Many have the Christmas palms and foxtails, some have royal palms.

I don’t know what a Alexander palm looks like, I’ll look into them.

I’m not getting in a hurry with the brick. But the wife isn’t crazy about it so something will be done.

[dmcummins]

Hopefully the cabinet guy will show up this week and give us his ideas. Also we need a dumpster, we are walking around trash from the move and stuff that was left.

I’m painting now, I painted a small bedroom. The wife does not like the color, evidently agreeable gray has to much gray in it. Now she wants accessible beige. I’m not repainting the bedroom though.