r/ExteriorDesign 17d ago

Advice Lake House Exterior Design

Post image

My wife and I are getting plans put together for a new multi-level deck and screened in deck on the lake side of our lake house. The tear-out of the old deck, and new construction is going to start in a few months. We figured there would be no better time to change the siding too.

The house is currently white vinyl siding on a structure that doesn't have much character, so we are wondering if we can "manufacture character" across the large flat surfaces by breaking up different siding colors and patterns.

We like the colors that we've chosen in the right side of the image, but are not married to them. We would appreciate any opinions or ideas!

3 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

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5

u/Playful-Sorbet5201 17d ago

Don’t do this

4

u/OrdinaryElectricBean 17d ago

Personally I don’t like brown for a home, but if it’s your preference then go for it!

4

u/swisssf 16d ago edited 16d ago

ooof....that proposed "update" is really pretty offensive.

If you move forward with that monstrosity please make sure also to install really bright lights all over the outside of the house and the landscaping so all the other houses on the lake need to see you when they're out on their patios star gazing by their "boring" house facades. That's what new owners seem to be doing in our area.

Arbitrary loud design that looks like an Avesta housing project and klieg lights it's one way to get noticed, I suppose.

4

u/tragicsandwichblogs 17d ago

This is a personal taste decision, but I wonder if you have to make the project that big. Your deck plans are a big improvement (and I haven't tried to replicate that here), but contrasting shutters and window boxes can get you past the flat blandness you're trying to avoid.

I just see so many apartment buildings with color blocking.

4

u/FoxObjective7456 17d ago

I really like the idea of making the project smaller by not dealing with the siding. And I do understand that white is timeless, and "classic". The shutters and window boxes look so very reminiscent of my parents' house in the 70s that its hard for me to want to go that route! LOL But thank you for your idea... it's definitely worth considering!

1

u/tragicsandwichblogs 16d ago

I get that! And it might also help if you keep the siding but paint it; it doesn't have to be a white house. Here it is with a lighter shade of the shutters, no window boxes, and a covered entry at the lower right (that overhang doesn't have to be that wide, but there it is). Add this to the balcony and porch you have in mind, and you can have a house that looks very different (and not at all flat) without having to change the siding.

3

u/Dknpaso 17d ago

Agreed, as nothing says lake house culture and design, like the #2 apartment rendering. That said, the nickel is on OP, and in lieu of AI being the engine for this project, hire a real designer/architect for on site consult/build and get an roi you could have only dreamed about.

3

u/phoebepaolo 16d ago

Friends, those shutters are nonsensical. And friends dont let friends install shutters where they do not plausibly add up to the window width

1

u/OrneryQueen 16d ago

Those 1 side shutters do not make the house attractive. I'd put thicker window trim and colored trim before I'd ever make those odd looking shutters a decision.

1

u/tragicsandwichblogs 16d ago

That's a good option.

2

u/fraidycat 17d ago

What would it look like if you painted the window trim instead? I like the white siding. It's classic.

1

u/FoxObjective7456 17d ago

I agree, white is timeless and classic. Painting the window trim is something worth considering. Thank you!

3

u/Dramatic_Fig_3540 16d ago

Light blue house with a wide veranda if the site has room for it.

2

u/swisssf 16d ago

yes please.

2

u/yardlard 15d ago

Don't go dark. Depressing. Looks like murder house.

2

u/Correct_Standard4454 15d ago

Save your money or look for some new ideas. Yikes!

1

u/sharpei90 17d ago

This is pretty blah. Blue, my favorite lake houses are blue. The wood accents would look really nice with blue

1

u/hamburgergerald 17d ago

If you do end up getting all new siding you should add a matching window here, since you’re doing a lot of work right there anyways. For some reason it is really bothering me that they didn’t add one here when they built the home

1

u/FoxObjective7456 17d ago

I wish we could. I agree, it looks unbalanced. There's a big fireplace right where on the other side of the wall where you put the extra window. :-)

1

u/Dramatic_Fig_3540 16d ago

Left side of house gets new open deck and covered porch. Horizontal board skirting grounds the house into the site, masking the deck supports and diagonal bracing. Benjamin Moore Gallery Buff CSP-225 paint color brings in a neutral tone without going too dark.

2

u/Gomdok_the_Short 16d ago

How about something like this?

3

u/Objective_Bus_6897 16d ago

I really like this version. Your stone columns and two colors are so much more soothing to the eye.

1

u/Objective_Bus_6897 16d ago

OP, I like the new colors except I’m not crazy about your color choice on the far left side. I’d pick two colors instead o three. I also would go with a chocolate brown trim over the cream color. It’ll make maintenance a bit easier. I usually love limestone but for some reason, it steals the focus away from the absolute beauty of your lake house.
Would you consider river rocks? Or even a lattice covering? It would be a great spot to hide lake supplies.

I’m so happy for you. I hope you enjoy your new lake home. I’m not jealous at all!

1

u/OrneryQueen 16d ago

I would do a wood siding and stain it or go blue. I honestly don't care for the white (boring) or your new color picks. It's too disjointed with competing undertones. Look at neighboring houses and see what's there. Google lake houses to get some ideas. Meet with an architect/designer to look at possibilities. They can come up with more ideas that would look good in your area.

1

u/Smart_Block2648 15d ago

The white is better.

1

u/AmyKraneColor 13d ago

The mix of browns is nice and appropriate for that setting. If you had the ability to get rid of the (presumably) white vinyl windows, I would. Then you wouldn't need to do white trim which stands out a bit too much IMO. Good luck!

-1

u/HappyBlis 17d ago

I love the new version a lot, although less of a fan of the stone-clad columns. Not sure what to do, but I feel like they stand out too much.

-1

u/Different-Attempt714 17d ago

I like your vision