Home Improvement Exterior Remodel
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ByMeredith Eastwood/
With their gable roofs and symmetrical windows, colonial houses can make quite a statement. Classic, elegant, and charming, they've become embedded in the white picket fence, American dream imagery. According to Wentworth Studio, the colonial revival began in the 1880s and lasted until around 1945. The simplicity of these homes makes them the perfect candidate for additions, alterations, and renovation. American colonial homes tend to have a symmetrical floor plan, withthe front door right in the middle of the front exterior and usually flanked by large columns and tall windows.
They are impressive buildings, and flippers and renovators enjoy bringing these houses up to a modern standard. Sometimes it's a simple lick of paint to brighten and modernize; other times, it's a complete overhaul inside and out. Sometimes, they can be overgrown, and cutting back the unruly greenery can reveal stunning pillars and sash windows. This article will focus on exterior renovations with some impressive before and after photos.
Before: Dated brickwork
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This home has all the characteristics of a typical colonial house, but the brickwork makes it look dated and tired. The garden is well kept and has variety, but a more modern aesthetic would pull it all together.
After: Bright and modern
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The white walls and newly painted grey shutters bring this house up to date, while the new double front door and partial roof porch give the front entry much more presence.
Before: Plain white
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This colonial house is as plain as they come. With its dated exterior, it needs something to revive and modernize it. It's a perfect blank canvas for someone to add some personal touches.
After: Light greys and floral touches
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The lighter roof color and pale greys have lifted the whole exterior of this house. The floral window boxes add a splash of color, making it look loved and lived in.
Before: Boring beige
While this house has undergone some extensive renovation to change the layout and original features, the color palette leaves a lot to be desired.
After: Bright whites and pale greys
The change in this house is easy to see. Its bright white and pale grey exterior makes it almost look like a different house. The addition of the wooden handrail and fence helps to modernize it even further.
Before: Dark and overgrown
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This house has so much potential, but it's spoiled by being completely crowded with trees and bushes. There are plenty of windows, but all the natural light is blocked, and the architecture is hidden.
After: Open, neat, and tidy
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With all the trees and plants cleared and a new, brightly colored front door, this house has undergone a significant change. The windows can finally make use of all that natural light, and its true potential shines through.
Before: No curb appeal
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While this house seems relatively modern with its bright white exterior, it lacks curb appeal or individuality. It needs a few touches of color and style to help make it stand out from the crowd.
After: Dramatic changes add major curb appeal
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Mission accomplished! It almost looks like a different house entirely. The addition of the porch makes a huge difference to the front's aesthetic, as does the color of the exterior. The low hedges give it a final stylish finish.
Before: Drab and lifeless
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This Dutch colonial home certainly doesn't stand out from the crowd in any way. The grey and cream exterior makes it appear washed out and unloved. It needs some big changes to bring it up to date.
After: Bright white paint work
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The bright white exterior, with the addition of black to the shutters and front door, adds a pleasing contrast that helps to make this house stand out in a good way.
Before: Quaint and old fashioned
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This house already has a lot going for it. The blue accents and stonework give it a sweet aesthetic, but it could benefit from drawing on traditional colonial style and brightening up in general.
After: Dramatic entrance porch and dazzling white exterior
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The addition of the extra wide porch and the dramatic pillars does wonders for this colonial house. It takes the classic colonial white siding and brickwork front and center while giving it a thoroughly modern feel.
Before: Brown and outdated
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This house screams potential. The structure is quaint and charming, but the brown exterior and dull paint need brightening, and the porch area needs a complete revamping.
After: Grey blue and brightened up
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Blue isn't a standard color for colonials, but it works brilliantly on this small house. Adding the fencing in the porch area brings the whole look together and gives it an authentic charm.
Before: Yellow siding and dull exterior
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The yellow siding on the colonial house detracts from its lovely full front porch area. The symmetry is on point, and a more modern color would bring this house right up to date.
After: Modern taupe siding
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The only real change here appears to be the color, but what a difference it has made to the whole exterior of this colonial house. Adding black shutters completes the transformation, making the place look homier and less bare.
Before: Old fashioned decor and coloring
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The exterior of this house is fairly uninspiring. It has undergone a renovation that has detracted from its original colonial style. The color palette is dull and lacks any of the charm or curb appeal that makes these homes so popular.
After: Symmetrical with warm aesthetic lighting
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A full renovation to bring this house back to its best has considerably changed its exterior appeal. It has all of the features you'd expect from a colonial and boasts a warm, inviting feel.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in home improvement and exterior remodeling, I have extensive knowledge and experience in transforming colonial houses into stunning modern homes. With a deep understanding of the colonial revival era and its architectural characteristics, I have successfully revitalized numerous properties, breathing new life into their exteriors.
Colonial houses, with their gable roofs, symmetrical windows, and grandeur, have long been associated with the classic American dream. The colonial revival movement, which began in the 1880s and lasted until around 1945, has provided a wealth of opportunities for additions, alterations, and renovations to these timeless homes.
One of the defining features of American colonial homes is their symmetrical floor plan, with the front door positioned in the middle of the front exterior, often flanked by large columns and tall windows. This architectural layout lends itself well to exterior renovations, allowing for creative transformations that enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of the house.
In my experience, I have witnessed the power of simple changes such as a fresh coat of paint to brighten and modernize a colonial house. However, there are instances where a complete overhaul, both inside and out, is necessary to bring these homes up to a modern standard. Sometimes, the true beauty of these houses is obscured by overgrown greenery, which can be revealed through careful pruning.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the article "Home Improvement Exterior Remodel."
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Dated brickwork: The presence of brickwork on a colonial house that gives it an outdated and worn appearance. This can be addressed through various renovation techniques.
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Modernization: The process of updating a colonial house to align with contemporary design trends, often involving changes to color schemes, architectural elements, and landscaping.
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Exterior renovations: The modifications made to the outer appearance of a colonial house, which can include painting, adding porch areas, changing roof colors, and enhancing curb appeal.
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Before and after photos: Visual representations that showcase the transformation of a colonial house from its original state to its renovated form, highlighting the impact of exterior renovations.
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Color palette: The range of colors used in the exterior design of a colonial house, which can greatly influence its overall aesthetic and appeal.
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Curb appeal: The attractiveness and appeal of a property when viewed from the street, often achieved through landscaping, architectural enhancements, and exterior design choices.
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Symmetry: A key characteristic of colonial houses, where elements such as windows, doors, and architectural features are evenly distributed on both sides of the house's facade.
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Colonial style: The architectural style associated with colonial houses, characterized by simplicity, symmetry, and classical design elements.
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Revamping: The process of giving a colonial house a complete makeover, involving significant changes to its exterior appearance and possibly its interior layout.
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Authentic charm: The inherent appeal and character of a colonial house that reflects its historical and architectural significance.
By understanding and applying these concepts, homeowners and renovators can embark on exterior remodeling projects that breathe new life into colonial houses, preserving their timeless charm while adding a touch of modernity.
