| Author | Content |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | We bought a 1940 fixer-upper in "as is" condition four years ago. There are serious issues with two very ugly additions. They do not fit the existing style of the house, nor do they blend together with each other. The first one is made with brick, has an awful roofline which has recently begun leaking, and the brick color does not match the existing house. The second addition is made from cedar siding and has a "cathedral" style ceiling with roofline that overshoots Tumor #1's roof. We had an architect come out to discuss the problems and, although he had great ideas, the pricetag to do the work was mindboggling. I will post a series of photos for your entertainment. So far, we have focused on getting the interior into liveable condition and I also have been focusing on the landscaping as that is less daunting and costly... I figured that I might as well post the pic's here to see if you can suggest a resolution that we have not yet considered. This first picture is a pre-purchase shot from '03. Tumor #1 is the addition with the front entry. If you look up above the front door, you will make out the roofline of Tumor #2, which is a sunroom off the back of the house.
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | Here is a different angle of both problem children, as shot from the backyard back in '03. You are jealous of me, aren't you? Admit it! Yikes...
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | More shots. Picture in top left corner is a Before, but the others were taken a week ago.
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | Same again with the backyard:
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | I am going for a relatively formal apparance in front and a relaxing cottage garden affect out back. I am pleading for suggestions on how to remedy my ugly home.
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| plantladyhou Katy, TX Zone 8b April 14, 2007 | That house is lovely! You have done so much w/it! Be thankful you have a "different" looking house and the yard was essentially a blank slate instead of a cookie cutter subdivision look-alike. Maybe you are looking for something that can't be done - I don't know what but it is certainly charming right now. Ann |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b April 14, 2007 | You have already taken care of the biggest problem by painting the shutters and door. That white was too stark. I will get my dad on here later and have him take a look and offer suggestions. |
| azreno Mesa, AZ Zone 9b April 14, 2007 | Wow, I can't believe what they did with the roofs of the two tumors, that borders on childish. The roofs should really be redesigned and rebuilt, sounds costly, but let's face it, there's a reason why it's leaking and fixing the leak won't get rid of the problem. Matching the brickss on the tumors with the original...........I don't know if this is possible but maybe they can be acid washed? It really does look like a great house! Love what you're doing with the landscaping, looks beautiful! |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | Yes, my original DESIRE was to lift the two rooves and blend them into a new roof design across the entire house. I wanted to add a new Master Bdrm on that new second story, then deal with the ugly entryway and siding materials at that time. I do not have hope of ever matching the brick to the existing. I'm not a huge fan of vinyl. One of my problems is that I've got expensive tastes, but a modest wallet. To accomplish the above plan may take a couple hundred K? I really hate all three rooflines on this house. The one on the main part of the house only emphasizes that we live in a BOX. The others? Well, they speak (scream) for themselves. The location is great and the neighborhood is fantastic, however. Pep, what's your dad do for a living? Edited to add... Psst... we haven't painted that front door yet. We scraped it down, but still have more touching up to do. Then I would like to stain it. This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 10:51 AM |
| Phrago Coldwater, MI Zone 5b April 14, 2007 | Hi Wrightie, A couple of thoughts. Paint all the brick and the additions the same color. Painted brick is really pretty when done well and actually helps seal and protect the brick. It will add continuity to the odd differences that you notice imediatley when you look at the house. For a more modern feel, remove the shutters and the colonial style trim / abomination from around the front door. A simple wood framing around the door with perhaps a simple relief of molding would soften the jarring nature of the addition. Paint the hexigon window next to the door the same color as the house so it disappears. It makes no sense at all and detracts from the rest of the house. All this will emphasize the boxy porportions of the house, and correct the mismatched styles that have been added to this house to jazz it up. That is the fundimental design mistake of the current appointments of your house. The previous owners took a post war modern house and turned it into a 1950's colonial imposter, like a Mr. Potato Head toy with silly parts added. Symplify!!! Find yourself a carpenter that works on the side and have him build a new roof over the foyer that correlates to the roof of the addition behind. It will be cheaper and a great fix, until you have the cash for the major redo, or decide to sell. Replace the whole roof of the original house and additions with a colored steal roof. You will never have to replace it, it will give continuity to the house, very post war modern. There is a light green color that is very pretty. The verticle lines of the roofing material will add style, much like a copper roof would, at a much lower price tag. Your house is a perfect example of why people should consult a designer before they build. With a few changes, however, you could turn your house into a stunning simple beauty that will command a better price if you ever decide to sell.... |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | LOL, well-written, Phrago! Now, when are you coming to DC? |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b April 14, 2007 | LOL. Well said Phrago!! Wrightie, my dad is a remodeler. He can do just about everything including building a house from scratch mostly on his own. Just did that about 2 yrs ago. Will get him on here eventually. lol |
| balvenie Marysville, WA Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | Back porch: How about one roof covering the back deck from the left side of the house to the "sunroom" wall ? A nice covered south facing back deck might be nice. Some things are just too expensive to properly redesign and construct so we gotta live with them or bite the bullet. Nice house and yard anyway. |
| PrairieGirlZ5 Thornton, IL April 14, 2007 | ARGH! Please DON'T paint the brick, not on the original house anyway. The addition is fair game. I actually don't mind the hexagonal window, it probably adds necessary light, and I love the shutters, but the colonial trim has got to go! I do really like the trim color, and the gardens are spectacular. Are those boxwoods or inkberries in the curves? Love the lipstick pink tulips, not everyone can do tulips well, LOL. I agree with the overall assessments here, you are going to have to pay someone to conjoin the tumors, in some cohesive fashion, with a whole new roofline and a whole new siding (or stone) material. I wish we lived closer, my BF's husband is a carpenter, my husband is a bricklayer, they could whip it into shape in no time. In fact, my BF just replaced a portion of the siding on their house with brick. It looks really good if I may say so, but I know her bricklayer personally, LOL. They are the only ones with stone AND brick on the house in her neighborhood. I am extremely jealous BTW, of both of you. I live in a wood frame house with two lovely *cough* outdated *cough, cough* colors of aluminum siding on it, very hip. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | Oh, PG, isn't it a fun process? Here's a better picture of the curves that you mentioned. Those are dwarf Korean boxwoods. To the left of them in this picture are 3 Abelia, and around the front of the Oak tree are tom thumb Cotoneaster. Along the path near the road is Liriope, and there are dollups of St. John's Wort sprinkled throughout. I am trying to encourage bignonea capreolata vines to grow up the big brick box to help create some texture and draw the eye away from Big Box. I was talked into keeping the hideous yews along the foundation, so I've been trying to bribe them into growing vertically and at least approach the lower windows. I also want to hang iron hay rack style window boxes under the four front windows, again to add texture and draw the eye down, away from the scary roofline. Yes, we'll certainly be paying someone to perform surgery on the tumors, but the question that remains is whether we'll go with the safe, financially-doable option, or the VaVaVoom break-the-bank option. Edited to say: I wish your BF and bricklayer were here. The combination with the stone sounds intriguing. Do you have any photos that you would be able to post of the two materials married together? This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 5:56 PM
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| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b April 14, 2007 | Wrightie, my dad wants better pictures of the sides of the additions and better pics of the roofs themselves if possible. He said one thing to do is get rid of the skylights. They always leak. When you have more pics he will have a better idea of what to suggest. Oh and an idea I just had was for now just paint that back addition a red that will blend in with the brick. It doesn't have to match just blend in. This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 5:21 PM |
| PrairieGirlZ5 Thornton, IL April 14, 2007 | No pics, but the stone is just along the top of the brick garage doors, straight-ish rectangles with a central "keystone," they were pretty tickled with how it turned out. It would cost much more to do much more than that LOL. I personally think you will never disguise the fact that the brick addition was put on in a different era, and since apparently the pediment and wood siding are historically accurate, maybe you could match the covering on the two additions when/if you incorporate the two separate stuctures into one? Looks like your ideas about using the columns are dead on. Thanks for posting the pic of your boxwoods, I really like the yews too. I guess there's no accounting for taste. LOL I could really use a book on historical gardens. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 14, 2007 | No, I don't mind yews as a general rule, but if you look at the pre-purchase photo, they were soooo low that they p'd me off. I want to fast-forward and put another foot or so of height on them. All I see when I look at the house is big ugly box, so I'm trying to break things up a bit. It's not as bad now that I've got more plants in the ground, but that first year was pretty depresssing... lol |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b April 14, 2007 | It does look better with the green shutters and better landscaping. |
| Pagancat Gainesboro, TN Zone 6b April 14, 2007 | I think you've definitely made wonderful changes - I bet your neighbors are very happy having you there! |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 15, 2007 | lol - Well, some of them have cursed me for "raising the bar" for landscaping on the block. No problem, I am having a blast. Now... if I can just fix that house. |
| zenpotter Minneapolis, MN Zone 4b April 15, 2007 | Please don't paint the brick. A photo of the whole front from farther out would be helpful. Putting a slanted roof on the 1st tumor to tie it into the main house and paint on the second one could be a temporary fix until you could afford to bring someone in to do it right. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 15, 2007 | I like the look of painted brick when it is done well, however, I will not paint this brick. Painting it will not resolve the fundamental issues related to poor design, plus it would add another maintenance item. Also, since I am growing vines on the brick, painting would only complicate matters further. Whatever we end up doing, even if it's a temporary fix, it will have to be done tastefully. Therein lies the rub. The portico idea is perhaps the least expensive temporary fix, but I do not know how to blend that portico with the stupid cedar-sided Tumor #2 with the ridiculous roofline. lol I'm awaiting the contact details of an excellent carpenter and designer who has done beautiful work in the neighborhood. I'll try to snap another picture or two for you later today, Zenpotter. I'm heading out shortly for a rainy run. |
| zenpotter Minneapolis, MN Zone 4b April 15, 2007 | Sorry about the rain. It is finally beautiful here and I am cleaning off the gardens. Yes the winter mulch is just coming off today. |
| Phrago Coldwater, MI Zone 5b April 15, 2007 | Another thought would be to side over both additions to make them into one addition. There was a house down the road that had the same problem and when they sided over part of the house that was brick, I thought it was a bad idea. But, the finished job added continuity to the various additions and the main house, something that was sadly lacking before. And they sold the house a year later for a lot more than they were asking. To recap: rework the roof over both additions so they function together as one roof, and then reside both additions to match. I would still dump the colonial trim at the door. You could loose the round window next to the door when you side the additions. To revisit painting your house: you could white wash it (even with a color) so it would look aged. Growing vines on it would not effect the white wash. Consider Climbing Hydrangea... |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 15, 2007 | Here are a couple pic's for you, Zen. Phrago, I do also have climbing hydrangea.
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 15, 2007 | and again...
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| zenpotter Minneapolis, MN Zone 4b April 16, 2007 | The first one gives a better view of the two tumors side by side. The various roofs really do look awful together. The small view of the house next door to you with the white addition doesn't look great either. Have you seen any houses in your area with additions that you like? If not do some driving or walking around to see if you can find any, then ask if you can take some photos. Maybe you can even find out who did the work. I still don't see painting the brick. One of the reasons for brick is that it is relatively maintenance free. I don't know about there, but here painting brick drops the value of the house. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 16, 2007 | lol - Yep, I've been looking at other homes and collecting ideas for four years now. I must say, my house is "very unique" so the cosmetic fixes are more complicated compared to other houses. That's why I, ultimately, would like to do a complete overhaul on the architecture. Unfortunately, it doesn't make sense to me to drop the $200K that we were quoted a year ago to do that overhaul (add a second floor above the additions while also resurfacing those exteriors and revamping the entryway). PS Zen, I think that the white addition that you mentioned is actually the original house! :~) This message was edited Apr 16, 2007 8:55 AM |
| zenpotter Minneapolis, MN Zone 4b April 17, 2007 | Woops, I was assuming it was the addition and the bricks were old. I thought it looked like the white siding was a second floor and the bricks the 1st floor. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 17, 2007 | It certainly does have that appearance, doesn't it? Well, if nothing else... this neighborhood does not have cookie-cutter style houses. :~) |
| plantladyhou Katy, TX Zone 8b April 17, 2007 | I STILL think the house is lovely and they have done an outstanding job landscaping it. I know that they see flaws and things they don't like about the house but others probably don't think it's anywhere as bad as they do. Ann |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a April 17, 2007 | Thank you, Plantlady! I am a one-woman landscaping crew... wish I was a carpenter, too. :~) |
| daltri_z5 Lincoln, NE Zone 5b April 18, 2007 | I think you've done a great job working with what you have. The landscaping has made a huge difference along with adding the paint to the shutters and trim. One thought I had was to plant something tall on both sides of the door that would maybe hide the fact that the brick color is different on the addition. I like the idea of painting the second addition to blend in with the brick. Keep up the good work. |
| sugarfoot Granbury, TX Zone 7b May 5, 2007 | Wrightie, My last house had a really poor entrance design. I tore it off and had a real front porch built. It really enhanced the house and our enjoyment of it. I played with your pic on paint and came up with a couple of possibilities. Understand that I'm not an artist and not very good with paint, but maybe you can get the idea. This first one is trying to reflect your existing roof on the porch roof....
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| sugarfoot Granbury, TX Zone 7b May 5, 2007 | The second I like better but it may not be correct to use a different roof line... In either case, I'd put a couple of big pots with big plants on the roof if I could get to them to care for them. Would add a little drama and fun.
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| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a July 21, 2007 | Update: We've had another architect come out to discuss some options. Our decisions will be contingent upon whether the existing foundation under the two additions will support two stories, but the architect is going to draft two general concept designs for us: 1) Building upwards on the additions to add a second story and reconfigure the existing bedrooms to add a master bdrm and bath. This would also entail redesigning the roof on the original home to improve the curb appeal and functionality of the roof and attic space (e.g. attic currently has no ventilation, only an attic fan; no soffits). He would tie the two additions together, put in a tasteful roofline and entryway. Obviously, we're talking big $$$ for this. 2) Band Aid approach to simply remedy the two unsightly rooflines on the additions and add a graceful and functional entryway. Both designs would include re-cladding the exterior of the additions using some sort of siding material though, more than likely, it will not be brick. A builder will be coming by tomorrow to take a look at the foundation. We have concerns about it because my husband just dug down to find that the top of the footing is only about 14" below ground, though it goes down to a depth of about 30" below ground; we're under the impression that the top of the footing needs to be 36" below the ground line. Will continue to provide updates as they arise. This message was edited Jul 21, 2007 2:01 PM |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b July 21, 2007 | Wow!! I personally like option number one better. Costs alot but in the long run will pay off big time. Can't wait to hear new updates! |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a July 22, 2007 | It's not looking good for the existing foundation. Waiting for final word from the city, but we may be in the market for a few sticks of dynamite to drop the additions ... contingent on cost estimates, of course... |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b July 23, 2007 | Always has to be something. |
| Bubba_MoCity Missouri City, TX July 23, 2007 | Maybe you could raise some money by advertising the demolition and selling tickets to watch the explosions. LOL. Best of wishes and fortune on your decision. |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b July 23, 2007 | I love that idea!!! If you weren't so far away wrightie I would be there to watch! LOL |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a July 23, 2007 | LOL - Bubba, I intend to sell the first ticket to *you*. At a special price, of course! |
| Bubba_MoCity Missouri City, TX July 24, 2007 | Name your price - we have never been to that part of the USA - would be a fun trip. Maybe I should rent a truck, load up my tools, and perhaps some laborers to help with the cleanup. LOL. |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b July 24, 2007 | Wrightie, you better take him up on that offer!! LOL |
| drivenbonkers Perth,, ON Zone 5a July 24, 2007 | wrightie, I have two sons who like to make things go 'boom'...... good luck with your renovations! |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a July 24, 2007 | DB! This is a potato-gun-free zone ... but I'll let *you* come down for free provided that you teach me how to drive a cart. |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b July 24, 2007 | I need a potato gun. Need to use them on some friends and my dad. heheehehe |
| drivenbonkers Perth,, ON Zone 5a July 25, 2007 | Neuman's a DRIVING HORSE? or should I bring my own? (I still want a pony......) or 4.......... =) |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a July 25, 2007 | I don't know... I've never tried. Let's experiment. Pack your carriage/cart/buggy whatever it's called. This could be exciting. |
| critterologist Frederick, MD Zone 6b September 15, 2007 | You linked to this thread while talking about roses... and of course once I saw more photos, I had a couple of comments... :-) I actually like the boxy style of the house... it reminds me of some of the old colonials in Winston-Salem (where my in-laws live) or of some of the older New England homes. I agree that the front door doesn't suit the style of the house... maybe you could just take off the archetectural element at the top and leave it with a square frame, or maybe you could find a top piece (is that called a pediment?) with simpler, square lines. The one you have now reminds me of Queen Anne style furniture (those crowning pieces on armoires and dressers) and just seems too fussy for your house. The leak in the roof on the entrance addition is another matter, but I was looking at the rooflines of the additions... One problem I see with putting a different roof over both additions is that you'd lose the windows that face the front of the house, high up in the sunroom addition. An alternative: Keep the flat roof line on the entrance addition, but add a "widow's walk" railing to it. I see those a lot in Winston-Salem, in fact my in-laws house has those railings on the flat roofs over a side porch on one side and a portico on the other side of the house -- and it's a great look with their boxy Colonial. Better yet -- if there's a way to access that part of the roof from inside the house -- build a roof deck so you can use that space. (I liked the big plant pot idea!) |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a September 15, 2007 | Hi Critter, thanks for your ideas. We are now working with an architect to get these problems sorted out, but before we can decide which approach to take, we need to have a full blown report done by a good structural engineer. So far, it appears that the foundation under the brick addition might not even be good enough to support a minor change to the existing roofline, so that is not good. The engineer will call us back next week to schedule an appointment as he's been too busy to come out. We will not do anything that will cause us to lose windows, that's for sure. Even our architect (he's *good*) has been stumped by this project. lol However, once we determine which approach to take on this mess, you can bet that the entire entryway will be completely revamped and will include a covered area so that we no longer have to stand in the rain fumbling with our keys. We'll also lose that ridiculous roofline on the cedar addition. There's simply no reason for that thing to overshoot the flat roof the way it does. Yikes. So as things stand now, we are awaiting an assessment from a structural engineer, then we will put our heads together with the architect and some builders to get a ballpark cost of the two or three different concepts, then the architect will come up with his concept drawings and present them to us. At that point we'll decide which path we'll take. I'm looking forward to getting on with this project, at which time I'll definitely post updates here. |
| critterologist Frederick, MD Zone 6b September 15, 2007 | Oy! *crossing fingers* that the foundation won't end up being an expensive problem... I hear you on wanting a covered entrance... that was my main issue with the front of our townhouse! We just have a small front porch here (because we opted for the elevation that gave us a few more square feet inside the study and upstairs), but nobody has to stand in the rain! |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b September 15, 2007 | Thanks for the update wrightie. I was thinking about your house earlier this week and wondering if you had made progress. |
| Photographer Moxee, WA Zone 4a September 17, 2007 | wrightie, The additions one on top of the other have made yours a rather complex dilemma. I'd be inclined to add onto the 2 additions as a means of integrating the 3 into the original. It would be best to use matching brick. If there was a way of hiding the 2nd without having to add more ..... it would be less costly but the 2nd is there and there really is only one solution ..... a 3rd something else in front and on top of additions 2 & 1 respectively. You might be able to just extend the original roof line and swallow up the 2 additions. Whoever thought up the 1st and the 2nd were not thinking about anything but cheap new square footage. This is all too often what happens over and over so don't feel at all alone. I'm in a similar catastrophe with dissimilar additions onto a small Dutch Barn. It is hideous to be accurate ..... and many time worse than what you're enjoying. The foundation might be significant work ... far more than the average person might consider or have the time to do. Best wishes for sure. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a September 17, 2007 | :~) Thanks, Photographer. It truly is a catastrophe, alright. Reminds me, I haven't heard from the engineer yet. His report will certainly determine whether we can follow your good recommendations or not. Crossing my fingers for both my catastrophe & yours! |
| Photographer Moxee, WA Zone 4a September 18, 2007 | wrightie, After looking at #2 addition .... it is clear that it is not so substantial. It could be removed or replaced rather easily. There doesn't seem to be any garage in sight? Do you have a basement ? Sometimes going down is a better choice. The foundation for # 1 & 2 additions is what is critical. A complete tear-down .... to a clean slate might be the most cost effective choice. I don't know how much value a garage adds to a place on the Washington beltway. Where was the original front door situated before addition #1 ? The #1 addition appears to have eliminated your having a garage unless there is an alley behind your yard with access. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a September 18, 2007 | There is a separate garage on the other side of the property. There is a basement under the original bldg., a crawl space under the brick addition. Assuming that the foundation issue could be resolved without a complete demolition, we'd rather work with the existing footprint. We'd probably sell the place or keep it as a rental property before going to the trouble and expense of the demolition though. |
| Photographer Moxee, WA Zone 4a September 18, 2007 | wrightie, Having a detached garage on the property is a huge plus. Having a basement under the original home is also a plus. Is the basement deep enough to allow for living space? Not that I'm an expert or anything but your decisions seem to be the most prudent. In an ideal situation you might bump out the front of the foundations to each addition to be perfectly aligned with the original home. I'd be tempted to look at drawings where #1 addition goes up and you create a new roof set back but at equal pitch to the front face of the original. The old roof would have to change by way of new trusses to eliminate the side pitch facing the additions and maybe you'd be compelled to do the same to the other side of the roof on the original home and eliminate the only mismatch in the roof line. Redoing the roof with new trusses would be simple on the original. Mostly this dilemma rests on the foundation of the additions being able to hold a second floor or at least walls & roof going up to a second level. Something tells me the new foundation to the #2 addition may not be adequate to hold brick. Everything looks doable provided you have the time for most of the labor with a spouse. Sugarfoot's suggestion gets you out .... quick but the roof line in back is still dreadful. Sometimes too it is best to just leave it to someone else (new owner) to solve. |
| wrightie Metro DC, MD Zone 7a January 19, 2008 | Update: The structural engineer determined that the foundation under the brick addition has been sinking as whomever prepared it, likely did not prepare the area correctly. Long story short, we have decided against adding a second story over that left side of the house. An architect has prepared an initial drawing. Wish I could post it here, but I wouldn't feel comfortable making his work public. Suffice to say that the front door will be relocated to where the existing window is to the right of the front door. That would put the front door in the center of the house rather than off to the side. There will be a covered porch with a roofline that ties into the left-side additions. The porch/entry will have three columns and a sitting area off to the left side. Around the back of the house, we are toying with adding a covered porch over the back deck, with a pergola attached. If I can, I will dink around with the original photo to draw the basic design so that you can see what I mean ... |
| pepper23 KC Metro area, MO Zone 5b January 19, 2008 | An update!! Finally!! lol. I like your current plans for the house now. Those porches will really look good on the house I think. |
| Bubba_MoCity Missouri City, TX January 19, 2008 | Glad to see progress again. |
| Tir_Na_Nog January 28, 2008 | This is all exciting stuff! I love to see how people improve and change their homes. I wish you the best! |
| Ewald Limerick, PA Zone 6b June 10, 2008 | I hesitate to mention stucco, since so many contractors create eyesores by doing it badly. However, look around your area to see if you can find an attractive example, and find out who did it. The stucco could be applied to either the whole house or to cover the mismatched brick and wood siding of the additions, with an integral coloring to reduce maintenance. You could alter the underlying structure before applying the stucco. |
