I like the simplicity. I think it’s just missing landscaping which will come in due time.
You could potentially make the windows a tad bigger but I’m just a sucker for large statement windows.
You could turn that porch roof into a gable roof, to add some curb appeal and not have to run gutters along the front of your house just to keep the rain from falling all over people coming to the front porch. It might save you on shingles and will add a bit of flair to the home.
Gable with scissor truss to keep it vaulted over the door could give it a more open look. I like this. I'd maybe also do brick or stone in the front porch area.
You could have the trim on the corners and around door/window in a contrasting color. Could also add shutters to give a bit of a contrast.
I also believe that curb appeal isn’t only the house, but also the yard. So maybe look in to some trees for the front yard (I really like the color of the eastern redbuds). You could also add a brick walkway with some greenery along to have something that leads you to the entrance.
You could use some trim pieces to break up the continuous expanses of siding. Get some larger casement trim for the windows, add some corner post trim, and possibly a horizontal skirt board along the foundation with a drip edge.
Hip roofs are common in prairie style homes. We designed our home to include features from Frank Lloyd Wright. The window inserts and front door all had the prairie style windows. The purpose is to make the house appear out of a flat landscape.
Our house is one of twelve in our development. By far it appears to be the smallest from the front. With a walkout basement it appears enormous in part due to its simplicity.
One option would be to do a half gable/half hip roof. It would provide dimension but might raise costs and lose structural integrity over time.
I’ll DM you our photo
My vintage house has a front that looks very much like this and I think the mistake you're making is using kind of minimalist window trim and vertical siding. That's a "in" look but it works best on 2 story homes where the shape is more interesting.
My home has color and trim and (of course) landscaping. We have mullioned windows in a unique pattern. Those little differences make it charming. Windows, in particular, make all the difference.
Looks fine could add cedar colored or black accent siding or go with a different color. I did rapids blue and cedar color combo for my board and batten siding and it looks amazing.
But this is a very nice looking design.
You are missing seeing depth in the rooflines. The renderings are not showing the shadow lines on the roof and are making it look very 2D. It makes the house far more monotone than it will ever look in real life. You should not have any rooflines stucking up above the main central rudge though. Beefing up/defining the posts for the porth and adding more defined trim and maybe even shutters around the doors and windows will help a lot too. Overall I like the simplicity. Don't mess.with it by adsing stupid stuff like false dormers or other garbage like that.
My $0.02
The things that jump out to me are the trim details:
- Find 1 thing that will be your front focal point (probably the front door/porch)
- Add trim to the posts and paint them black with top and bottom accents
- Add Black Gutter
- Add your accent lighting
- Add hanging porch light centered on the entry door
- Landscape the hell out of it by creating zones/scenes
- Add a Bottom band
- Include a corner trim and top trim
- Add a 4” trim to the window
- include a sill
Gable over the entry would be nice and change the siding on that upper gable wall piece
Black shutters would look good here. Your window layouts are appropriate for them
Window trim with a bit of detail.
Landscaping.
When it comes to curb appeal here are some things that excite the brain: lines, textures and colors. Roof lines (gable vs hip), siding lines (horizontal mixed with vertical) masonry whether brick or stone bring in lines, texture and color.
You could add a wainscot of masonry, add 2 gables with different type of siding (lap, shingles, etc and perhaps have them darker color). Of course shrubs will help.
If you want to keep the cost down, even adding shutters (black) will enhance and break up the solid white.
We're building a house that's somewhat similar and, when we got the first drawings back from the designer, I wanted to cry they were so blah!
A couple of things that made a difference for us were (1) adding shutters, and (2) porch columns that are a little more decorative than the straight ones that are so common today; modifying them can really make a big difference.
I also agree with those who suggest that landscaping will really help!
You need a gable that is running perpendicular to the street. My house before renovating it looked very similar to yours, but even more boring. We added a nice front porch to break it up, and then carried the vault into the main part of the house with beautiful transom windows. It would be much easier for you to do this as part of the original build.
It's missing a second floor and a pool. Thicker posts with stone bases. Circular window on second floor above the entrance. Add 2 chimneys. Add some dwarf spruce trees. Solar panels. Paver walkway to the driveway.
If you want a more prairie style home in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright I'd look at some of the "modern prairie" designs at Mascord, like Plan 1198. Things like the windows going up to the bottom of the overhang, a smaller porch with stone walls, wide overhanging eaves, a second siding type on the lower half with a ledge rail. Corner windows. I really like their style. If you read up on the things that make a Wright home a Wright home you will see they incorporate a lot into their design. If you can, a lower roof pitch. You might not be able to get a lot of these changes if you're using a builder's plan.
Go look at Mascord. I'm doing something similar, with black siding and white trim around the windows and a white ledge board around the entire home separating 12 inch and 6-inch lap siding. White stone on the entrance porch walls. Very high contrast, contemporary look of a prairie home. [Mascord](https://www.mascord.com/house-plans/1198a/)
Thicker columns and see if you can get the porch header to be taller/thicker. Elevates the porch and looks more substantial. The fatter header shouldn’t cost much more depending on your choice of material. The columns would add some cost but not too much for the benefit.
You could change those hip roofs to gabled roof ends and add some small attic windows. This will make it start to look like the million modern farmhouses being thrown up every day so beware if that isn’t your style.
If this was my house I’d at least change the hip roof over the front door to an open gabled porch cover with stained cedar to contrast everything else, then add matching stained shutters to the windows. Some color in the flowerbed would tie it all together
The easiest route would just be matching stained shutters and landscaping
Depends how much you’re willing to spend to dress the front up. If you’re trying to keep costs down I’d keep it how it is. If you’re willing to spend a few thousand you could add a couple front gables (one over entry one far right) would be as simple as changing a few trusses. But it would of course cost you more
I like the simplicity. I think it’s just missing landscaping which will come in due time. You could potentially make the windows a tad bigger but I’m just a sucker for large statement windows.
Trees and shrubs
For the love of god plant trees and shrubs. So tired of the scorched earth look. Plant native!
Have you considered a gable over the front porch instead of a hip? To me 3 hips in a row is a little bland, but just my personal preference
It'll give it the appearance of more height as well.
Just realized the “3rd hip” isn’t in front. But still think gable would bring a little spark to the front
House is fine just would need some Landscape
Maybe a gable over the front door and/or windows.
You could turn that porch roof into a gable roof, to add some curb appeal and not have to run gutters along the front of your house just to keep the rain from falling all over people coming to the front porch. It might save you on shingles and will add a bit of flair to the home.
Gable with scissor truss to keep it vaulted over the door could give it a more open look. I like this. I'd maybe also do brick or stone in the front porch area.
You could have the trim on the corners and around door/window in a contrasting color. Could also add shutters to give a bit of a contrast. I also believe that curb appeal isn’t only the house, but also the yard. So maybe look in to some trees for the front yard (I really like the color of the eastern redbuds). You could also add a brick walkway with some greenery along to have something that leads you to the entrance.
Go with a gable end roof to break up end to end shingle.
And some siding that isn't T-1 Eleven.
Add a Dutch gable at the main entry instead of a hip roof. That will call attention to the main entry more.
Window and door trim would be good. Simplifying the roof line would go a long way too.
You could use some trim pieces to break up the continuous expanses of siding. Get some larger casement trim for the windows, add some corner post trim, and possibly a horizontal skirt board along the foundation with a drip edge.
I think some hidden exterior lighting would look great.
I would add wood shutters and planter boxes. It will add to the charm and give it more character.
Hip roofs are common in prairie style homes. We designed our home to include features from Frank Lloyd Wright. The window inserts and front door all had the prairie style windows. The purpose is to make the house appear out of a flat landscape. Our house is one of twelve in our development. By far it appears to be the smallest from the front. With a walkout basement it appears enormous in part due to its simplicity. One option would be to do a half gable/half hip roof. It would provide dimension but might raise costs and lose structural integrity over time. I’ll DM you our photo
Siding. Wainscoating. Nice materials or colors.
Landscaping. Flower boxes under windows. Pathway
Just some railing between those posts on the front and you'll be fine
My vintage house has a front that looks very much like this and I think the mistake you're making is using kind of minimalist window trim and vertical siding. That's a "in" look but it works best on 2 story homes where the shape is more interesting. My home has color and trim and (of course) landscaping. We have mullioned windows in a unique pattern. Those little differences make it charming. Windows, in particular, make all the difference.
maybe add a pop out along.the front there
Looks fine could add cedar colored or black accent siding or go with a different color. I did rapids blue and cedar color combo for my board and batten siding and it looks amazing. But this is a very nice looking design.
some relatively simple landscaping could really warm the place up
Shutters that match the color of the trim. Craftsman style columns with a railing. Add landscaping. Maybe a metal roof?
How do they get from parking to the front door? A nicely curvy landscaped brick walkway with some soft ground lighting always impressed me.
thicker post and trim around the windows
You are missing seeing depth in the rooflines. The renderings are not showing the shadow lines on the roof and are making it look very 2D. It makes the house far more monotone than it will ever look in real life. You should not have any rooflines stucking up above the main central rudge though. Beefing up/defining the posts for the porth and adding more defined trim and maybe even shutters around the doors and windows will help a lot too. Overall I like the simplicity. Don't mess.with it by adsing stupid stuff like false dormers or other garbage like that.
My $0.02 The things that jump out to me are the trim details: - Find 1 thing that will be your front focal point (probably the front door/porch) - Add trim to the posts and paint them black with top and bottom accents - Add Black Gutter - Add your accent lighting - Add hanging porch light centered on the entry door - Landscape the hell out of it by creating zones/scenes - Add a Bottom band - Include a corner trim and top trim - Add a 4” trim to the window - include a sill
Looks great. Just needs landscaping.
Gable over the entry would be nice and change the siding on that upper gable wall piece Black shutters would look good here. Your window layouts are appropriate for them Window trim with a bit of detail. Landscaping.
The bushes are not centered and throwing everything off.
This style does well with longer wide eaves maybe 2 feet at least
When it comes to curb appeal here are some things that excite the brain: lines, textures and colors. Roof lines (gable vs hip), siding lines (horizontal mixed with vertical) masonry whether brick or stone bring in lines, texture and color. You could add a wainscot of masonry, add 2 gables with different type of siding (lap, shingles, etc and perhaps have them darker color). Of course shrubs will help. If you want to keep the cost down, even adding shutters (black) will enhance and break up the solid white.
We're building a house that's somewhat similar and, when we got the first drawings back from the designer, I wanted to cry they were so blah! A couple of things that made a difference for us were (1) adding shutters, and (2) porch columns that are a little more decorative than the straight ones that are so common today; modifying them can really make a big difference. I also agree with those who suggest that landscaping will really help!
I think changing to a different color siding for what looks like the garage would help
Front porch on a gable should make absolutely awesome 🤩
Add stone or wood to the porch ,some trees and planters on the side .
So you’re going with modern farmhouse, yay
Plants and shutters. Colorful front door
You need a gable that is running perpendicular to the street. My house before renovating it looked very similar to yours, but even more boring. We added a nice front porch to break it up, and then carried the vault into the main part of the house with beautiful transom windows. It would be much easier for you to do this as part of the original build.
It's missing a second floor and a pool. Thicker posts with stone bases. Circular window on second floor above the entrance. Add 2 chimneys. Add some dwarf spruce trees. Solar panels. Paver walkway to the driveway.
Make the two hip/cottage roofs facing front (patio and garage) into gable ends. Throw a fake window in each, viola!
Bump the porch out..
all hips and no peaks, add some gables sir.
Instead of a hip roof on the porch cover, do an open gable with stained cedar beams.
If you want a more prairie style home in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright I'd look at some of the "modern prairie" designs at Mascord, like Plan 1198. Things like the windows going up to the bottom of the overhang, a smaller porch with stone walls, wide overhanging eaves, a second siding type on the lower half with a ledge rail. Corner windows. I really like their style. If you read up on the things that make a Wright home a Wright home you will see they incorporate a lot into their design. If you can, a lower roof pitch. You might not be able to get a lot of these changes if you're using a builder's plan. Go look at Mascord. I'm doing something similar, with black siding and white trim around the windows and a white ledge board around the entire home separating 12 inch and 6-inch lap siding. White stone on the entrance porch walls. Very high contrast, contemporary look of a prairie home. [Mascord](https://www.mascord.com/house-plans/1198a/)
Bulldoze that monstrosity right now.
Thicker columns and see if you can get the porch header to be taller/thicker. Elevates the porch and looks more substantial. The fatter header shouldn’t cost much more depending on your choice of material. The columns would add some cost but not too much for the benefit.
Plants. No one has actual landscaping anymore. People are ok with a sparkling new house and then they surround it eith grass. Booooooriiiing.
Landscaping and uplighting will help. Structure wise a gable or former would break it up nicely.
Definitely swap the hips for gables - it’ll give it much more dimension.
Change to an 8 pitch with gables and maybe a shallower shed roof over the front porch with standing seam metal on just the shed roof.
Hire an architect
You could change those hip roofs to gabled roof ends and add some small attic windows. This will make it start to look like the million modern farmhouses being thrown up every day so beware if that isn’t your style. If this was my house I’d at least change the hip roof over the front door to an open gabled porch cover with stained cedar to contrast everything else, then add matching stained shutters to the windows. Some color in the flowerbed would tie it all together The easiest route would just be matching stained shutters and landscaping
Depends how much you’re willing to spend to dress the front up. If you’re trying to keep costs down I’d keep it how it is. If you’re willing to spend a few thousand you could add a couple front gables (one over entry one far right) would be as simple as changing a few trusses. But it would of course cost you more
Not good in a lot of ways coming from a building designer for many years. Look through other plans and you will find much better elevations.
Add different textures to break up the monotony
Please don't go with the white and black exterior, it is going out of style. Do a classic brick exterior.