1950's Brick House

8 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We have recently purchased this house from the same couple that built it in 1952. We originally thought we would simply render it but I am keen to hear what others thing we should do. Note that we are in the process of re-doing the garden!

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J

8 years ago

I really like the bricks. I vote keep them as is.

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Comments (47)

jbantick
8 years ago
Do not render!

Unless there is a mismatch of brickwork from an addition, don't fall for the render trap. Its quite expensive to have done and requires continuous maintenance from there on. Its a pain in the arse to touch up too, if kids knock the render off on a corner for example.... The 'sameness' of the finish also makes the dwelling bland and boring. Many rendered houses are hiding poor brickwork and structural issues..... The render is obviously a thick coating of around 10mm in many cases, therefore the window and door openings shrink, they end up with a crap looking edge where they meet the window and door frames..... To use render as a feature as modern houses do then that works fine on them just doesn't work so well on these character homes.

These 60 year old bricks just need a pressure clean.

Keep the coolness of the era such the fantastic looking face brick, the patio with its wrought iron, etc. To make the house your own just do maintenance and landscaping. An immaculate example of a house with its character is way way better than one which has had a simple 'make over'.
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Sarah Shiel
8 years ago
I would keep the bricks too.
ellenjy thanked Sarah Shiel
georgi02
8 years ago
Keep the bricks - it's a beautiful inviting house.
ellenjy thanked georgi02
ellenjy
Original Author
8 years ago
Really interesting that all 3 of you voted keep. I am beginning to think the same so thank-you for the reassurance
hbud5ear4l
8 years ago
Please don't render - keep and embrace the era - charming. My own personal opinion but render just makes every house seem uniform and a tad soulless. You can add a modern touch with your external paint palette. Cheers
ellenjy thanked hbud5ear4l
wuff
8 years ago
So cute, keep as is, love the balustrade
User
8 years ago
Lovely house.
beckdoyle
8 years ago
I agree with everyone else. I'd keep the bricks (love a 50s blonde brick)but change the colour of the windows, spouting etc.. black or charcoal would look great and modernise it (if that is what you were aiming to do with the render). Gorgeous house.
James Holloway
8 years ago
I would keep the bricks as they are.
fredbear
8 years ago
Yes please keep the bricks. The trim needs a different colour ....
ellenjy
Original Author
8 years ago
Agree with everyone about changing the colour of the trim. Was thinking about white as I was worried that the grey wouldn't go. Thoughts?
User
8 years ago
Try Tardis Blue
beckdoyle
8 years ago

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beckdoyle
8 years ago

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fredbear
8 years ago
I wouldn't do white .... Modernist with a darker trim
Lou
8 years ago
Painting the roof tiles in something dark that goes with a good trim colour would really help to freshen up the look of the blond brick. Even more interesting, add a real surprise pop of colour to that garage door out the back. Depending on the trim and roof colour you choose, perhaps a bright orange or red for the garage door. Go on.... be daring!
Lou
8 years ago
I think the other little things that would (literally) bring things together is to 1. unify the patio tiles. There seems to be two different tiles and colours in the photos, and 2. unify the driveway, which seems to change halfway up the drive.
User
8 years ago
Great idea to paint the roof.
PRO
Mark Davis Design
8 years ago
I am quite a fan of painted brick, but don't render, just paint. Maybe leave a feature wall of the original. Invest a few hundred dollars in a colour consultant. It's worth it to get it right!
JustDoIt
8 years ago
Don't render (I had to look up the definition), paint or whitewash the brick. It is wonderful as is. I agree in updating by painting the trim work. Also, you might want to get a simpler metal post.

Is the roof wood or metal? Whatever, don't paint it.

Congrats on your new home.
wuff
8 years ago
Good work with your garden so far, looks better with all overgrown shrubbery gone
PRO
MAGUIRE + DEVINE ARCHITECTS
8 years ago
Bricks are timeless and virtually maintenance free - render is bland and will require re-painting. They are most likely local to the area and demonstrate the local brick colours. Keep them! The trim colour could be more contrasting in a charcoal, or a fresher bright white. The craftsmanship and detail of 50s houses is worth celebrating.
ellenjy
Original Author
8 years ago
Okay everyone, fantastic feedback. Now the question is grey or white trim???
User
8 years ago
No.
Georgia Grace
8 years ago
White trim is very classic and would give the house a cute, kitschy cottage feel. It would be my personal choice. However a more modern look would be a dark grey, midnight blue or black. Not a fan myself but those are the frontage colours I see everywhere on the renovating shows!
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Timandra Design & Landscaping
8 years ago
You have a great 1952 period home - and it looks great. It has real character. So don't render or paint the bricks. The facade of a home should be kept as is, otherwise the whole character of the home can be lost.

I notice that there are variations of the garden between the top and second photo. Which is current? The bright yellow pots are too modern for the facade. Put them out the back where they wont show from the road against the front of the house. And good exterior design is really all about street appeal.
ellenjy
Original Author
8 years ago
The garden has been cleared since we bought the place. We have kept the Rhododendron and Camelia but otherwise everything else has gone. Some updated photos. We are thinking of decking over the tiled patio and then re-tiling in front of the door. Wondering what we should do with the old wrought iron detail? We love the covered front door.
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wuff
8 years ago
The wrought iron adds the character, sand back, prime and paint in the colour you choose to go with rest of house. You could even do a funky colour. Great house, I love it
Georgia Grace
8 years ago
The awnings over the windows are looking a little tired as well, you could get rid of them altogether or replace them with the same style in a bright colour which would be very retro and fun
buffpoint
8 years ago
The work you have done so far looks good. If this home was mine, I'd remove the brick wall that blocks the front door. Then deck the veranda and step, this would allow you to keep this area the one level reducing the trip hazard you have now. Use a heavy timber beam the support the roof and stain the match the deck, get the carpenter to frame the roof facade in the same material, squaring off the rounded edge. You could replace the garage door with a timber look one which would tie the front & back together and give it a more modern look if that's what you're after. If you're keen on keeping the roll up awning replace it with a straight edge one in a plain contrasting colour. Good luck!
Christobel
7 years ago
Sorry buffpoint, these take away from the original character of the home, which is currently its strength. I personally don't like a light colour for windows as I like the frame to recess rather than project. It's a personal choice. Be careful of which white you use to make sure it doesn't clash with the white brick.
asquithoatley
7 years ago
old post
Sharon
7 years ago
Please don't render! The bricks are a large part of the mid-century appeal of your house, and bricks are much lower maintenance... I would suggest maybe spraying the security door the same colour as your dark wrought iron
My Humble Abode Books and Gifts
7 years ago
Are the bricks in good condition and you like the look? From the photos it is hard to tell.

If you want to freshen up, go for render if that's what you like.
montytaffy
7 years ago
Enjoy the architecture you have. Its terrible how many ruined 'updated' houses you see today. Rending a house and painting it blue or yellow I don't think improves the appearance. Get rid of the rock edges and put in a beautiful lush garden and you won't just see the house - create a beautiful picture.
Lyn Woodard
7 years ago
I think he bricks make the house look dated. Stain them.
LesleyH
7 years ago
OLD POST. After photo would be great.
girlguides
7 years ago
I don't know why people want to invest in render. If money limited I would always first go with replacing Windows with energy efficient Windows which increase natural light and maximise views or garden trees from interior Plus I'd remove brick fence in front of door as houses where you can see front door always look so much more welcoming as upgrade of workers cottage on these latest dilemmas shows
Bernadette Staal
7 years ago
from the very briefest look, I say keep the brick. It is not that harsh red brick and it blends in nicely with the environment. Keep working in the garden and just brighten up the paint work with fresh white and maybe paint the garage door.
asquithoatley
7 years ago
Obviously not many people read through the thread- this is an OLD POST
ellenjy
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. To date we haven't made any decision/changes as we have been focusing on the inside. Will be sure to post and after photo when we get there.
wuff
7 years ago
Thanks ellenjy, looking forward to your updates
lisacab
7 years ago
Awesome house. Please don't render it. Why try to dress it up as something it isn't. Embrace its heritage. It has so much character
Minh Nguyen
3 years ago
i would also watch out for asbestos for house in the 50s