Can we add shutters to this house?

[Morgie44]

As the winter drags on, my thoughts have turned to our projects for the spring/summer. The biggest thing we would like to do is get the outside of our house ready for sale in the next year and I know we need major help with curb appeal.

Here is a pic of our house when we bought it. Since then we have repainted the railings, replaced the doors and removed that ugly awning.

This summer we are planning to add a retaining wall and landscaping, I am thinking about adding shutters to the front double window, but I am concerned it will look odd since the window cut out has a rounded shape. Also would the little side window next to the door look naked. Thoughts?

 

[joflier]

Here''s just some crud play w/ photoshop. I don''t know what color your looking at, but this might help give you an idea. The only thing to bear in mind is the measurements - so that they fit with the overhang and also that there''s a wide enough space between the walls. (I think there is, but it''s hard to judge from the photo). I just did this to my house and was just thrilled with the results. Shutters are an inexpensive way to add some detail to your house!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

They make shutters with half rounded tops which probably would be the best choice. I think it would add some charm.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The rounded top shutter idea sounds cute.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I wonder if it would be possible, given that the bracket for the canopy over the door is quite close to the window. From the pic, it doesn't look as though there is enough clearance for a shutter to open.

Is it just decorative, or do you want to use the shutters to help regulate the temp inside the house? Our house originally had internal shutters that folded out into the window reveal when open. They were ripped out by a previous owner, but I can see where they were and enough remnants of them that I'd like to have them replaced eventually. They are very good for reducing heat loss / solar gain.

ETA your house looks lovely!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I know nothing about this company but these are the kind of shutters I was talking about (if they clear the awning). I could go with black to match the door and for contrast. Also it would be really nice to do a long, black flower box. I'd paint the railing black as well. Put a couple of pots at the bottom of the stairs and it would have *major* curb appeal!

 

[Ara Ann]

yes to shutters and +1 on the flower box idea, even a copper one would pop, with bright flowers...and yes to pots, or even urns.

And paint the door either black (looks brownish in the pic)...if it is already black, re-do it in a very shiny darkest black you can find, or a color to add some interest as well. Really cute house, love the roof lines and the arch detail over the window! But with some tweaking, it will be really pretty!

ETA: Whoops, I just saw you said you replaced the door...what color is it?

 

[Morgie44]

Joflier- Thanks! I really like how that looks. Not sure about color yet, any suggestions?

MC & Tacori- I didn''t know that there were rounded top shutters, seems like that would be the best route. It seems like we are sort of on the same page, because I so so so badly want to put in a flower box, but DH thinks they are too ''cutesy''

I thought that was the point... Love the idea of some flower pots at the bottom of the stairs, maybe he will go for that. Also we did paint the railing black so it isn''t that ugly rusted color anymore!

Mrs. Mitchell - The awning is gone now, (pic is from when we first bought...) It was actually the very first thing we did the day we closed haha. Now, there is a decorative molding along the top of the door frame so I don''t think we will have clearance issues. They will be decorative only.

Ara Ann- Thanks! We replaced the door and it is currently white, with a full glass screen door, but I am wanting to paint it.

I think I am starting to be swayed, especially knowing their are rounded top shutters... Anyone have color suggestions?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Black. You can NEVER go wrong with black

 

[joflier]

Date: 2/10/2010 12:33:15 PM
Author: Morgie44
Joflier- Thanks! I really like how that looks. Not sure about color yet, any suggestions?

MC & Tacori- I didn't know that there were rounded top shutters, seems like that would be the best route. It seems like we are sort of on the same page, because I so so so badly want to put in a flower box, but DH thinks they are too 'cutesy'

I thought that was the point... Love the idea of some flower pots at the bottom of the stairs, maybe he will go for that. Also we did paint the railing black so it isn't that ugly rusted color anymore!

Mrs. Mitchell - The awning is gone now, (pic is from when we first bought...) It was actually the very first thing we did the day we closed haha. Now, there is a decorative molding along the top of the door frame so I don't think we will have clearance issues. They will be decorative only.

Ara Ann- Thanks! We replaced the door and it is currently white, with a full glass screen door, but I am wanting to paint it.

I think I am starting to be swayed, especially knowing their are rounded top shutters... Anyone have color suggestions?

Possibly match it to your door, or the trim.
ETA - just read your door is white.....not sure if that might be a little much......Tacori's idea of black might be better.

 

[upgrade]

Shutters- yes. Window box- yes. Painted black.

 

[Lurchie]

What a cute and homey house. I think some landscaping and window boxes will go a LONG way to boosting curb appeal, especially below the double window. I agree that a glossy black door would look great, with window box to match. Regarding boxes looking to cutesie, you can avoid that with the type of plants/flowers you put in them. For example, cascading plants or flowers will cover most of the box and all you''ll see is gorgeous plant material. If you want to brainstorm flower arrangements try whiteflowerfarm.com. They have gorgeous stuff and great ideas.

I don''t think shutters would look bad, but I don''t think you necessarily need them. Take my advice with a grain of salt because I''m a purist when it comes to shutters: I think shutters tend to look fake/tacky if each shutter is not wide enough to cover the window it''s meant to cover, KWIM? If you have enough wall space on each side of the window then definitely go for it.

And show us some "after" pics - it''s going to look great!

 

[swingirl]

I don't vote for shutters. They seem to conflict with everything that is going on on that side of the house. The other side of the house could use something to balance it. I would put up a trellis and let a pretty blooming vine grown on it. Then you'll have something interesting on both sides of the house. A climbing white rose would look nice.

Even though you considered the awning ugly I bet it was useful in keeping the rain and snow off the porch. Do they make anything to replace those 1950 aluminum things?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

So I was thinking about this and since your house is orange (not really, but the roof and brick give off that shade KWIM) I also think a dark blue could look lovely. I Swingirl''s idea of a climbing plant. They have some beautiful rod iron trellis (is that what they are called?)

 

[artdecogirl]

I love the shutters SanDiegoLady found, they are perfect! Morgie44 you have such a cute house! The brick is such a classic look.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 2/10/2010 3:16:55 PM
Author: swingirl
I don't vote for shutters. They seem to conflict with everything that is going on on that side of the house. The other side of the house could use something to balance it. I would put up a trellis and let a pretty blooming vine grown on it. Then you'll have something interesting on both sides of the house. A climbing white rose would look nice.

Even though you considered the awning ugly I bet it was useful in keeping the rain and snow off the porch. Do they make anything to replace those 1950 aluminum things?

I agree with swingirl. I think shutters on that left side would make your house look more unbalanced. A trellis on the right side (or maybe a pretty flowering tree or something?) could help balance it out more. By the way, I love your house-it's adorable!

 

[purrfectpear]

I would not have removed the door awning unless I was going to build a porch cupola to replace it.

A bare front door would be the first turnoff for me as a buyer. No one wants to get rained on at the front door.

 

[Erin]

Date: 2/10/2010 5:22:11 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I would not have removed the door awning unless I was going to build a porch cupola to replace it.

A bare front door would be the first turnoff for me as a buyer. No one wants to get rained on at the front door.

I''ll have to agree that I would invest in a weather shelter for your front stoop before I added shutters. I never realized how necessary they are until I didn''t have one.

 

[4ever]

I have to dissagree with the calls for things to be painted black. The thing that makes this house least appealing is it is all brown brick and tile and I think any details which lighten and brighten the exteriour would make it look very charming.

If shutters will fit without looking crammed in there I would go white to match the other white detail on the house and lighten the house up. For the door I think a nice clear red would look nice with the brick colour and the white detail.

I also like the idea of the window plant box and think that would look charming, maybe also in white(?) or a light colour.

 

[oobiecoo]

I think shutters would be cute but I have to beg you to PLEASE not put the common style shutters on that house. It looks like it is probably a Tudor revival style home (though I could be wrong) so I would look at this website for a couple of recommendations for your particular style home. http://www.estatemillwork.com/house-shutters.html The ones SDL linked to would probably work wonderfully. Also, I would add some sort of covering over the porch before doing anything else as purrfectpear suggested.

 

[lyra]

I may be the odd one out, but I don''t think shutters would be best for the house. I think it would look too cramped. I do agree that a proper stoop cover (what do you call it?) could add the architectural detail that is missing. The main thing I notice is the lack of balance on the right side of the house where there is no window. If it''s impossible to install a window on that side, and I can understand that being a problem, then good landscaping would be another idea for that side.

 

[Morgie44]

Lurchie - Thanks for the link, that site has really nice ideas. Part of the reason I was on the fence about shutters was because of the proportion issue, but it seems like there are functional shutters in the size we would need that fold in half, before going against the house, so folded up it would look the same as the fakeys, which makes me feel a little better about it.

Swinggirl & Thing 2 I see what you mean about the attention being all on the left side. We are planning on landscaping this summer as well so we will have to give the right side some love too! I like the trellis idea, but I''m not sure how it would work for us, since it would only really add intrest in the warmer months, and be naked the rest of the time...

SDL - LOVE those shutters! Thank you!

Tacori- At first, I was kind of skeptical about the dark blue but I went ahead and gave it a try in photoshop and am in love with it!

lcom - Thanks! It is definitely a starter house that needs a lot of work, but it''s perfect for us right now.

Purrfect Pear & Swingirl - Thanks for your honesty, the old awning had to go for sure, it had about 15 layers of paint, that were peeling off in large chunks, with rust underneath. Underneath the awning is a sort of molding decor thing, that overhands the door by a bit, so it does have some weather protection. Also, the back door, which we use on a daily basis (city house, with the garage in the alley) does have an awning on it. On my way home today it looks like most of the houses in the neighborhood have the same situation, so I think we will be OK on a resale front as well too, but definitely something to think about...

4ever - Thanks, I am open to white shutters too, I am going to have to play around some more in photoshop. I also am head over heels for red doors and have wanted to paint our door red since day one, but our brick is a lot more orangey IRL, so I think the red will be too much for this house... I''ve tried a ton of different swatches and nothing seems to work quite right with the brick

 

[Tacori E-ring]

You can never go wrong with orange and blue. What about planting a small tree on the right side in front of the house? That would give it more balance.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

That would be really nice. If you do plant a tree and it is one that flowers at any point, make sure the colour of the flowers won''t clash with the colour you pick for the door and shutters, or with the brick. Pink cherry, for example - might not look so great.

 

[Morgie44]

Thank you all for the ideas and feedback

Oobiecoo - you brought up a point that I didn''t really think about. It seems like it might be loosely styled after Tudor revival, but it is missing some of the key elements too... Do you think these shutters would work ok? We are in an urban area, so I am not super crazy about the board and batten types that are recommended for the tudor revivals, I think they are too ''country''/rustic for most buyers in our area?

Lyra - I think a window is out of the question for our budget, that wall is where our kitchen pantry is now. Maybe we will try landscaping first, before commiting to the shutters, so we can decide if the landscaping is enough.

Mrs. Mitchell, that is a good point. I am thinking a small tree like this Princess Kay Plum in white might meet our needs.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

That looks ideal. I have a few plum trees - if it''s a fruiting variety, you can preserve the fruit in brandy, which is really, really nice.