Blah Before
Julie Robinson of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, minces no words when she talks about the exterior of her two-bedroom 1954 ranch. “There’s nothing appealing about it,” she told us. “It’s very blah.” To help her out, we asked architect Michael T. Gray of Essex, Massachusetts, for a few ideas on how to improve it.
Gray told us that Julie’s description fits many houses from the same era. “They were built inexpensively, so they often lack texture and architectural features, the very things” that give a home character and curb appeal.
Redo Makes the House Pop
Gray told us that Julie’s description fits many houses from the same era. “They were built inexpensively, so they often lack texture and architectural features, the very things that make a home feel inviting,” he says. His modifications—a street-facing gable, a front porch, and a faux cedar- shake roof—give the house more detail and distinction. The gable and eyebrow dormer could be installed when the house is reroofed, he says. To balance the facade, he suggests adding more windows to the gable side of the house and changing the ones on the opposite side. Finally, a yellow-and-white paint scheme offers a cheery look. Julie agrees wholeheartedly. “The color makes my house pop!” she says. “And the new roofline and eyebrow add so much character and curb appeal.”
Eyebrow Dormer
The eyebrow dormer and new porch help make the house’s entry a stronger focal point.
Gable End
A new street-facing gable gives this ranch more architectural character and curb appeal.
Flagstone Walkway
Replacing the asphalt walkway with a handsome flagstone path makes the approach to the house feel much more welcoming.
Pro Tip: Roger Cook, This Old House landscaping contractor, emphasizes the importance of proper preparation when replacing old walkways: “Hardscape is like any other home project,” he says. “It all starts with the right prep.”
For a long-lasting flagstone walkway, the slabs should rest atop a compacted, 6-inch-thick base of unwashed, 2-inch-diameter modified stone. A 1- to 2-inch-thick layer of masonry sand sandwiched between the crushed stone and the flagstone makes it easier to level the slabs and prevents them from rocking. The walk should be approximately 4 feet wide along its entire length—enough space for two people to comfortably walk side by side—and flared at the ends to gracefully merge with the front landing and driveway.
Dry-laid flagstone is an especially smart choice for climates with harsh winters. As landscape contractor Doug MacKay wrote in This Old House Magazine, because the stones aren’t set in mortar, there’s nothing to crack in cold weather. Should frost ever cause the stones to heave, they can simply be releveled—making this a beautiful and extremely low-maintenance option.
Window Trim
The shutters were removed and the windows modified to better balance the facade.
Finishing Touches
Accents with traditional styling add polish to a house that’s basically a blank slate.
Front door
Divided lights on the upper portion mimic the windows.
Simpson; from about $750
Roofing
Realistic polymer shakes look like wood but won’t splinter or rot.
DaVinci Roofscapes; About $2.95 per square foot uninstalled*
*Correction appended: The earlier magazine print version of this story erroneously gave the price per square foot for this product as $295. That is actually the price per square, which is an area equal to 10 feet by 10 feet, or 100 square feet.
Paint
Bright yellow feels friendly and welcoming.
A14-4 Sun Shower by Olympic; About $25 per gallon
Sconce
This colonial-inspired option boasts an unbeatable price.
Illumine; about $27
Pro Tip: Architect David Ellison, consulting on a similar 1950 Cape Cod makeover for This Old House Magazine, advises restraint when upgrading a modest home’s curb appeal: “It just needs improvement to its essential qualities, rather than junking up with alien elements.” Choosing finishing touches like divided-light doors and colonial sconces that echo the home’s era keeps the look cohesive rather than confused.
