Ideas to make exterior more appealing...
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1952 Cape Cod.
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One thing you could do is paint your garage doors a nice brighter color for some 'pop'. The plain wall you have, along where the door is, you could paint a mural, or hang a large decorative mirror or some outdoor art. You could also pot some tall plants to line up along that blank wall, or place a bench along that wall with tall plants on either side and a piece of art over it.
You have a mid century modern home. These are a unique design. Painting it dark grey would loose its character. It's a beautiful timeless home. Here are a lot of photos for paint colors and lanscaping. Just click on a photo and go to the site. Combine concepts and ideas.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbs=simg:CAESiQEJngJLWZbXBjEafgsQsIynCBpiCmAIAxIo1xT1FPcU3xTZFLsK8xTUFN0U9hTuKu0q3CL2Kusq_1DjsKsIq-TiBORowPD_16Cee0qwhEtlXLaJ5psZwcTP_1CGqk5cywlYLuJuIGgd3JB33FyTEDn1voKm_1EAIAQMCxCOrv4IGgoKCAgBEgStnMcpDA&q=mid+century+house+colors&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ9pXhsJjWAhUEWCYKHUn_CmIQsw4IMw&biw=1016&bih=642
Plants! Shutters would be nice too
Your paint job is totally your decision and should match your taste, so please don't take this as a criticism but as a "in case this hasn't occurred to you" statement.
The shape of your home could quickly give the appearance of a medical facility with the right color and landscape. I think a stripe at the top and bottom will continue the lines on your windows which will take on the appearance of bars which might make your home look medical ward(ish).
I think you should decide the landscape style and maintenance level that you like best. English Garden, Southwestern, 1950's picket fence, Edible landscape, xeriscape, Formal, casual, Low maintenance, some maintenance, hire a gardener maintenance etc.
Then think about how you would like to use your yard in the future. You don't want a lot of thorns in a playground for example.
Think about any structures you would like now or in the future, seating areas, water features, etc.
Draw up sketches, stick figure type sketches work just fine, you don't need an art degree.
Now, this is the most important part, unless you plan on spending a fortune and hiring all the work out, plan on doing this project in pieces. A beautiful functional landscape grows year by year.
For a cleaner appearance now, you could remove all the dead plant matter and any plants and planters not in your future plan. Power wash your pavers and clean up your edges. That will help with the painting of your house as well, since there will be only the things you want to keep to work around.
I hope this ramble is helpful. If your asking what my plan would be, I'd pick an edible Spanish Hacienda style lanscape and accessories to accentuate the shape of your home and make it stand out. (I'd have to hire a gardener š)
I actually like the dark grey idea, wood details would look amazing Against that color.
How about putting up some shutters on your windows and paint them white to match the trim. If you take the suggestion of painting the garage doors maybe painting your front door to match them in the same bright color as well.
http://www.madformidcentury.com/2012_06_01_archive.html?m=1#.UUpLOVeyI-o
I would start with the back yard first, as it is just a bare pavered area with so much potential. Map out where you would like areas for seating, barbequing, fire pit, any plant areas, etc. Once you have a general map of the areas you want, pick one area to start with and do that area until it is done, then choose another area, etc. Replace or shore up any pavers that need it before you do anything in each area. You can make small planting areas by removing some pavers and use them to build up around the edge to elevate it a little. Otherwise you can use potted plants. If you do one area at a time it will be easier to continue on and not get frustrated with not seeing results of all the work you have been doing. Have fun turning your yard into your dream yard. Make sure you make it into your own, not someone else's dream. You can do this, take your time and do it right and it will be enjoyable for many years to come!
You have a fabulous modern home !!!! and before I did anything, I'd go on Houzz and note gardening ideas, painting, etc. for modern exteriors. PLEASE don't hang shutters as they won't suit the house at all ... and really think long and hard about the stripe idea (top and bottom). I'd avoid gimmicks such as striping and would choose a subtle mid-taupe natural color to blend in with your property, buy a few modern, tall planters for palms or ferns, depending on your sun exposure. Google houses by Frank Lloyd Wright and note how he "blended" his designs into the natural surroundings. I'd do tons and tons of research before anything. Your house is a treasure!!
Here are some MCM landscaping ideas that go well with the straight lines.
https://www.pinterest.com/TSchmidt_STL/mcm-landscaping/?lp=true
Like Cindy, I was going to suggest horizontal orange wood planks which are very MCM. You could put it on the side wall in your 1st pic, or in the front door area, and paint a warm taupe-y gray or black even.
If you go gray, black trim looks good (See 2nd pic.). The gray tiles around the door add some oomph.
I personally do not believe that painting your house dark gray removes anything, as long as you remain true to the style (IF that is what you want!) There are many "true" MCM homes with that colour.
I do agree that anything too trendy would be best to avoid, but the trends right now seem to be drawing from many MCM styles (orange wood, darker trim, stone, tile), so in a sense you're lucky because you can remain true to MCM, and update the look.
https://www.dwell.com/collection/unforgettable-midcentury-homes-by-modern-masters-6c79af74
http://www.madformidcentury.com/2012_06_01_archive.html?m=1#.UUpLOVeyI-o
http://sickoftheradio.com/2013/01/17/mid-century-modern-home-photos/
http://www.wearefound.com/timeless-mid-century-modern-homes/mid-century-modern-home-with-wall-cladding/
http://www.hgtv.com/design/home-styles/all-about-mid-century-modern-architecture
http://design-milk.com/mid-century-pool-house-renovated-tongtong/
I personally would add window boxes to the left side, the left door add wood trim around to make it stand out and paint both doors and add a cluster of pots to the left of door. Then on the long wall going to front door add a bench with pillows and a long medal wall planter and some lanterns. The wall the tv dish is on add a pergola with a black iron table set under it and pillows to the chairs that match the bench. The garage add tall planters on the 3 walls at the doors and painted vines around the door openings. You have such a great court yard to work with. Adding different seat areas keeps your eye moving and noticing your stunning projectš
Please share what you chose to do, whether it follows our suggestions or not. We don't always get follow-ups.
Having lived in quite a few mid-century modern homes I can tell you ....no shutters, no flower boxes.... plantings were very minimal and sculptural in nature, mostly topiary shrubs. It was all about clean modern lines.... https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+mid-century+homes&client=opera&hs=nvJ&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjw-eS4s5zWAhUii1QKHavdBEYQ7AkIQA&biw=1366&bih=629
I like your choice of charcole grey with white lines.... https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&biw=1366&bih=629&tbm=isch&sa=1&btnG=Search&q=pictures+of+mid-century+homes+paint+choices you will note quite a few are charcole grey with bright colored doors. Can't tell where your entrance is.
I would rip out that hedge in front .... it does nothing for the lines of the house,
Back of the house.... thats a lot of concrete, I think I might get it epoxy pebble coated in some light grey mix pebbles. I might also rent a concrete saw and take out some big chunks of it and make some areas for a few trees. Or cut out a checkboard pattern of concrete and plant grass in the squares without it.
Have fun, I love mid-century modern.
the first thing I would do is add a new hip roof to the house it would give it a nice appearance !