Photoshop Request

Mr. Roboto · Mar 1, 2013

Hey Guys, was wondering if somebody might be able to Photoshop something for me. I purchased my first house in July, and since the weather will be warming up again soon, I am starting to think about what color scheme I will go with for the outside.

Here is how the house sits now/as aI bought it:

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/251996_10100618863624149_492044878_n.jpg

Link to higher resolution: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/22/housewa.jpg/

The house is vinyl sided in a light gray (looks white in the picture because the sun is beating on it), so there's no changing that color, but I will be painting all of the trim around the windows, doors, roof line, garage doors ect white...not sure why the previous owner felt the need that all the trim needed to be a color.

Here's the decision I have to make: what color to paint the shutters. Here are my choices so far:

Slate Gray:

Graphite:

slate:

gray-blue:

If it's not too much work, could someone photoshop the trim/doors/windows white, and photoshop a picture of one of each of the above colors? Would be much appreciated, as im having a hard time visualizing it, and I don't posess the know-how or the software to make it happen. If anyone has any color suggestions as well, I am open to them.

Thanks!

Falcon67 · Mar 1, 2013

A good photoshoper can help, but you might want to try some of the online paint programs made specifically for this.

http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/index.html?screen=painterScreen

Search on exterior virtual painter

Kevin54 · Mar 1, 2013

Myself, I'd paint the window trim back to white, paint the shutters the Slate Gray or black, and take the bushes out completely. Those are contractor bushes called Taxus, that every contractor puts in front of a newly built house and calls it landscaping. Over the years even though they get trimmed, they still grow a little taller and a little taller. They also date a house. Put some nice flowerbeds in. Offset a tree like a Japanese Maple to the left of the front door but far enough away from the house to allow for growth. And if I remember correctly, there is a product out there that will clean your roof. Even the colors you have now aren't bad, but you are seriously lacking in "curb appeal"

Is there a sidewalk from the front door to the driveway? I would assume there is but just can't see it. If there isn't, then put a sidewalk in that curves instead of just a straight line. Also I would add a tree or two out front. A nice shade Maple, not a Silver Maple. First appearances make a difference on a house. With yours, the first thing that gets noticed is bushes blocking the front windows partially.

Tribalvision · Mar 1, 2013

I can Photoshop it when I get home later tonight

sent from my <<~ Samsung Galaxy S3 ~€€

Rockuf8 · Mar 1, 2013

Tribalvision said:
I can Photoshop it when I get home later tonight

sent from my <<~ Samsung Galaxy S3 ~€€

Was going to offer up my services, but I have 2 new web site redesigns to tackle and he offered already. :thumbup:

Mr. Roboto · Mar 1, 2013

Falcon67 said:
A good photoshoper can help, but you might want to try some of the online paint programs made specifically for this.

http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/index.html?screen=painterScreen

Search on exterior virtual painter

Cool, I didn't even think to look and see if there was something free and easy that could do this, I will play around with it tonight, thanks!

Kevin54 said:
Myself, I'd paint the window trim back to white, paint the shutters the Slate Gray or black, and take the bushes out completely. Those are contractor bushes called Taxus, that every contractor puts in front of a newly built house and calls it landscaping. Over the years even though they get trimmed, they still grow a little taller and a little taller. They also date a house. Put some nice flowerbeds in. Offset a tree like a Japanese Maple to the left of the front door but far enough away from the house to allow for growth. And if I remember correctly, there is a product out there that will clean your roof. Even the colors you have now aren't bad, but you are seriously lacking in "curb appeal"

Is there a sidewalk from the front door to the driveway? I would assume there is but just can't see it. If there isn't, then put a sidewalk in that curves instead of just a straight line. Also I would add a tree or two out front. A nice shade Maple, not a Silver Maple. First appearances make a difference on a house. With yours, the first thing that gets noticed is bushes blocking the front windows partially.

You know, it's funny, ever since I bought this house, there is always something about it that makes it look dated to me. I could never really put my finger on it, but I think you hit the nail on the head, it's those damned bushes. You are right, they need to go, and new flower beds and plants are need. I think another tree would do nicely as well.

There is a walkway there, unfortunately its a straight line right to the driveway.

Tribalvision said:
I can Photoshop it when I get home later tonight

sent from my <<~ Samsung Galaxy S3 ~€€

Thanks a lot!

Tribalvision · Mar 1, 2013

well it's not perfect, but it gives you an idea..

Cougar67 · Mar 1, 2013

Colors on monitors are notoriously undependable. When I was painting a new to me house years ago I cruised a new house neighborhood and shamelessly copied their color schemes. IMHO grey is a bit outdated. Since you already have pale grey siding I would keep your idea of white trim (good call) but go for a color such as a dark teal blue for the shutters:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MK30EObLZ2Q/UG3DucxJwRI/AAAAAAAAcII/iNz6SdqAbUA/s1600/__Shutters.jpg

CNGsaves · Mar 2, 2013

Kevin54 said:
Myself, I'd paint the window trim back to white, paint the shutters the Slate Gray or black, and take the bushes out completely. Those are contractor bushes called Taxus, that every contractor puts in front of a newly built house and calls it landscaping. Over the years even though they get trimmed, they still grow a little taller and a little taller. They also date a house. Put some nice flowerbeds in. Offset a tree like a Japanese Maple to the left of the front door but far enough away from the house to allow for growth. And if I remember correctly, there is a product out there that will clean your roof. Even the colors you have now aren't bad, but you are seriously lacking in "curb appeal"

Is there a sidewalk from the front door to the driveway? I would assume there is but just can't see it. If there isn't, then put a sidewalk in that curves instead of just a straight line. Also I would add a tree or two out front. A nice shade Maple, not a Silver Maple. First appearances make a difference on a house. With yours, the first thing that gets noticed is bushes blocking the front windows partially.

^^^This is good advice from Kevin54. Only thing I would also recommend is make the front door your third color. I'd recommend bright red for front door which makes the entrance more inviting.

Also could build a front door rain shield/canopy that would stick out from house to break up all that plain space above front door (also provide a way to have some downward lighting). An art piece above that canopy would further break up that bland space (ie like family crest symbol, or decorative letter to represent your last name, etc).

Good luck. Overall, gotta have more trees and less shrubbery.

Kevin54 · Mar 2, 2013

CNGsaves said:
^^^This is good advice from Kevin54. Only thing I would also recommend is make the front door your third color. I'd recommend bright red for front door which makes the entrance more inviting.

Also could build a front door rain shield/canopy that would stick out from house to break up all that plain space above front door (also provide a way to have some downward lighting). An art piece above that canopy would further break up that bland space (ie like family crest symbol, or decorative letter to represent your last name, etc).

Good luck. Overall, gotta have more trees and less shrubbery.

I like the black with the gray siding and I think it looks way better to have the trim painted back to white.

And like CNG stated, a porch roof, portico, or whatever one wants to call it, would make a drastic change. One good weekend and you could have one on there. It amount to pulling the siding off enough to frame is in against the subsiding and properly flash it. I also agree about the front door being a different color, unless that is stained and poly'd wood, then I might change my mind. :headscrat

But even if it wasn't changed, you still want to draw the eye to the entrance way. If you put a porch on, then add a light above in the ceiling of it with a dimmer. That way the entrance is highlited at night.

If you plant a couple trees, and especially a specimen tree like Weeping Cherry, a Weeping Birch, Japanese Maple, then add some landscape lighting in and uplight the specimen tree. If you put flowers out in a flower bed, Hostas are a great plant to get. Not only are there dozens of varieties, in a few years you can divide them. Plant a lot of perennials that come back every year, then plant your annuals for Summer and Fall color. A good place to get ideas is www.gardenweb.com or go to www.houzz.com and type in landscaping ideas. Also take a pic of your house, put it in Paint, then do a few web grabs of different landscaping ideas and save them in Paint. You can then do some cut and paste to see what you like. Or print off a large picture of your house and cut up some magazines that have things you like and start laying them on the picture to get an idea. That would be a great project for the wife to do.

But when you go to paint your shutters, I would definitely paint your trim back to white. In doing that it doesn't draw your eye to the roof and gutters.

Mr. Roboto · Mar 3, 2013

Tribal, thank you so much for photoshopping those. I hadn't even considered black, but I really like the look of it now that I see it on there. Also the white trim is really the way to go I think, I wasn't sure a out it at first, but I like it now that I can see it.

I also really like the idea of an illuminated covered entryway, I am going to have to look into that. I am confident in my ability to build one, but I've never done any vinyal siding work before, so I'd be a little Leary about that, but how hard can it be.

I def also agree about adding some trees. And a flower bed. Might not be able to do it all this summer, might have to do it over the next few as funds permit, but thanks for helping me get the vision in my head. Hoping to be in this house for a long time, so time is on my side.

Mr. Roboto · Mar 3, 2013

Oh and one more thing, the door is actually a very nice solid mahogany. I'd hate to paint over it, even if it doesn't quite fit the theme. I'd have to think about it.

wedge40 · Mar 3, 2013

Most paint manufactures have an online program to see color schemes. I've used Dutch Boy, but I pretty sure they all have one. You have a pretty basic house design so you should be able to get good idea of what it will look like.

Wedge

Kevin54 · Mar 3, 2013

Mr. Roboto said:
Tribal, thank you so much for photoshopping those. I hadn't even considered black, but I really like the look of it now that I see it on there. Also the white trim is really the way to go I think, I wasn't sure a out it at first, but I like it now that I can see it.

I also really like the idea of an illuminated covered entryway, I am going to have to look into that. I am confident in my ability to build one, but I've never done any vinyal siding work before, so I'd be a little Leary about that, but how hard can it be.

I def also agree about adding some trees. And a flower bed. Might not be able to do it all this summer, might have to do it over the next few as funds permit, but thanks for helping me get the vision in my head. Hoping to be in this house for a long time, so time is on my side.

You can't screw up vinyl siding. Just take some masking tape and mark out your pieces from center of your doorway. i.e. L1, L2, L3, R1, R2, R3, Then you have to unzip the piece above where the roof peak of the porch would be. You can either get a tool for around $5 to do it, or just use a claw hammer at the bottom of the full piece. The claw will unlock it, then all you have to do is gently pull it off. Take a flat bar and remove the nails from the top of the unzipped piece of siding, then start taking the nails out of the ones below it until you are down far enough. You'll have them marked, so when it's time to start putting them back on, you'll now where they go so you can trim them and flash the porch roof.

Mr. Roboto · May 23, 2013

I finally got around to starting to painy the windows and window trim. I got the 4 windows on the first floor done, and I think it's already made a big improvement. The shutter color actually doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore. What do you guys think so far? Next up is the trim around the front door.

Im actually having a quote tomorrow to get the roof line trim covered in white vinyl/aluminum.

Kevin54 · May 24, 2013

I think it looks a lot better. One thing I would do is rip out those shrubs. Taxus is a shrub that is always put in and called landscaping. Those are shrubs that actually went out of style in the 80's. Pull them out and put in a nice Japanese Maple for color and add some Hosta's, and other perennials that come up every year. Coral Bells is another plant that has small flowers that Hummigbirds love.

But it is looking a lot better. I'm anxious to see it when the rest of the trim is changed out.

One other thing.....Look at a place like Lowes or HD and I am fairly sure they sell a product that you can spray on your roof to clean it and it brings the shingles back to looking like new without hurting the shingle life.

Mr. Roboto · May 24, 2013

Kevin54 said:
I think it looks a lot better. One thing I would do is rip out those shrubs. Taxus is a shrub that is always put in and called landscaping. Those are shrubs that actually went out of style in the 80's. Pull them out and put in a nice Japanese Maple for color and add some Hosta's, and other perennials that come up every year. Coral Bells is another plant that has small flowers that Hummigbirds love.

But it is looking a lot better. I'm anxious to see it when the rest of the trim is changed out.

One other thing.....Look at a place like Lowes or HD and I am fairly sure they sell a product that you can spray on your roof to clean it and it brings the shingles back to looking like new without hurting the shingle life.

Yeah, the bushes are on the list to go. I hate the look of them, and they attract these awful flys. When I walk by them, they get stirred up and start buzzing around frantically.

Kels · May 24, 2013

I recently painted my pump house. There are a lot of undertones in paint and a computer minister will get close but it won't be accurate. The thing that worked best is to use some scrap wood etc pick up samples of the color. when I did it got them from Home depot for about 3 bucks each. Paint the sample on your scrap board and then take it around the house and look. The color will look different in the shade and different times of day. You will be glad you did this!!!

Mr. Roboto · Aug 21, 2014

Well, another couple steps in the right direction. Got the trim on my garage painted, put some edging in on the mulch beds on the front of the house, and got my driveway sealed. Need to still rip out those ugly bushes and re plant something nicer, and finish painting the trim on the upstars windows and roof like...but I am liking it so far. Progress is just.....slowwwww.

I should re-name this thread, since I seem to just be using it to track the work on the exterior of my house instead haha.

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