Improve my entrance
Discussion
Looking for some ideas.
large area of gravel leads to this.
Concrete paving which despite cleaning never looks that good, steps which are not inviting and a miserable brown front door.
We are planning to renew the door (and replace the garage door to the left with it as it's in better condition than the garage one).
With the walls being "chalk white" and the woodwork dark brown the front door colour seems limited in choice. It will have more glass than present as the hall way is very dark so the colour is not so important I suppose.
The front door faces north, the concrete paving is often wet (west coast Scotland), the sun only reaches it early morning and therefore even more depressing than when dry. Replacing it with Yorkstone would look nice but past experience of north facing yorkstone is it turns green and slippy very quickly.
Decking would be the same and gets faded and tatty quickly. Yellow Bilau, does that lose colour?
Plastic decking looks plastic.
Block paving?
Could reduce the amount of paving and use more gravel, the gravel looks slightly more cheery than the hard surfaces.
Paint the steps?
Wouldn't mind raising the (reduced) hard paving area by say 150mm to lose the bottom step. (Done this at the rear where I've raised the previous crappy patio with Yorkstone (south facing).
The budget isn't limitless, but we want to get it right. It's becoming depressing every time you return home to see this. I've normally got a few ideas, my wife usually has 10x more.
Come on please, what's new?
large area of gravel leads to this.
Concrete paving which despite cleaning never looks that good, steps which are not inviting and a miserable brown front door.
We are planning to renew the door (and replace the garage door to the left with it as it's in better condition than the garage one).
With the walls being "chalk white" and the woodwork dark brown the front door colour seems limited in choice. It will have more glass than present as the hall way is very dark so the colour is not so important I suppose.
The front door faces north, the concrete paving is often wet (west coast Scotland), the sun only reaches it early morning and therefore even more depressing than when dry. Replacing it with Yorkstone would look nice but past experience of north facing yorkstone is it turns green and slippy very quickly.
Decking would be the same and gets faded and tatty quickly. Yellow Bilau, does that lose colour?
Plastic decking looks plastic.
Block paving?
Could reduce the amount of paving and use more gravel, the gravel looks slightly more cheery than the hard surfaces.
Paint the steps?
Wouldn't mind raising the (reduced) hard paving area by say 150mm to lose the bottom step. (Done this at the rear where I've raised the previous crappy patio with Yorkstone (south facing).
The budget isn't limitless, but we want to get it right. It's becoming depressing every time you return home to see this. I've normally got a few ideas, my wife usually has 10x more.
Come on please, what's new?
Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 25th February 19:26
I have (by the sounds of it) A similar problem, north facing, a bit dull and concrete slabs.
My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
Edited by Clifford Chambers on Thursday 25th February 17:58
Clifford Chambers said:
I have (by the sounds of it) A similar problem, north facing, a bit dull and concrete slabs.
My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
Summer time we have a couple of Acers in pots but take them in over the winter.. They aren't the ideal tree for there anyway as the east winds burn the leaves. Pots, tubs, nothing makes it look more than a pig with lipstick. It's shaded from about 10.30am even in summer, the stained grey flags look drab even when cleaned with bleach solution. The steps won't clean up. Been here three and a half years and it's starting to get to us.My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
Edited by Clifford Chambers on Thursday 25th February 17:58
I think you could get away with a brightly coloured door. Any particular colour traditional in the area? Otherwise consider quite rich "steam engine" colours such as deep red or green.
Is the problem with the slabs the overall shape as much as the material itself? It's like a boundary protecting the front door instead of leading visitors to the entrance. Needs a causeway in a a different colour / texture curving or angling to the door.
Reclaimed brick for the path, through slate or a different coloured reclaimed brick?
Or, going really off-piste, a prefabricated metal 'bridge' with handrails curving leftwards and slightly upwards to the front door . . . it can cross a 'lake' of slate or gravel. Slightly Japanese Zen garden ish, if that isn't too spectacularly culturally jarring with the immediate surroundings.
Is the problem with the slabs the overall shape as much as the material itself? It's like a boundary protecting the front door instead of leading visitors to the entrance. Needs a causeway in a a different colour / texture curving or angling to the door.
Reclaimed brick for the path, through slate or a different coloured reclaimed brick?
Or, going really off-piste, a prefabricated metal 'bridge' with handrails curving leftwards and slightly upwards to the front door . . . it can cross a 'lake' of slate or gravel. Slightly Japanese Zen garden ish, if that isn't too spectacularly culturally jarring with the immediate surroundings.
Skyedriver said:
Clifford Chambers said:
I have (by the sounds of it) A similar problem, north facing, a bit dull and concrete slabs.
My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
Summer time we have a couple of Acers in pots but take them in over the winter.. They aren't the ideal tree for there anyway as the east winds burn the leaves. Pots, tubs, nothing makes it look more than a pig with lipstick. It's shaded from about 10.30am even in summer, the stained grey flags look drab even when cleaned with bleach solution. The steps won't clean up. Been here three and a half years and it's starting to get to us.My solution which I'll implement this yr is planters and colourful pots. Any dull awkward surface can be improved. Pick plants that work with shade, evergreen ferns, hellebores, hostas, privet.
The big benefit is if something doesn't work, move it.
Edited by Clifford Chambers on Thursday 25th February 17:58
Imagine lustrous, verdant, tiers of ferns. A couple of dowdy acers (acers rarely thrive in pots) just won't cut it.
ETA, get someone to photoshop it and you'll se what I mean.
This is ours, looks daggy now. Wait till we've finished.
Edited by Clifford Chambers on Thursday 25th February 20:14
Make your steps wider and deeper, pave the lot with something light and sympathetic to the white. Including the slabs coming from garage.
The vertical stuff, maybe match that with the same brick from lower portion of house?
After that, I would replace the front/garage doors to more colourful options, introduce soft lighting. For plants, I'd seriously consider fake plants or something that can take the punishment of Scottish west coast weather but still look pleasant... heather?
Getting rid and replacing the gravel might lift the overall feel when you arrive home too.
Do what my wife does, browse Pinterest for ideas!
The vertical stuff, maybe match that with the same brick from lower portion of house?
After that, I would replace the front/garage doors to more colourful options, introduce soft lighting. For plants, I'd seriously consider fake plants or something that can take the punishment of Scottish west coast weather but still look pleasant... heather?
Getting rid and replacing the gravel might lift the overall feel when you arrive home too.
Do what my wife does, browse Pinterest for ideas!
Edited by beambeam1 on Friday 26th February 03:38
I would
Gravel.
Change the gravel, go for a honey colour gravel. The house is too cold and stark, nearing mono-chromatic. This is be the BIGGEST change. It wl introduce significant warmth.
Patio. Shape.
The patio area around the door. Made smaller. I would be tempted to make it a semi circle, simply to break it up. However, keeping sharp angles look more formal. But, sharp angles would suit a victorian/Georgian looking villa, somewhere grand. A semi circle would suit a cottage look.
Patio Size.
Reduce the "patio" areas around the doors. It looks odd and somewhat like a back door not front.
Patio Material.
A brick to match the house.
Patio Height.
Agree. Raise the height of the lowest paved area to lose a step.
Also reduce the paved area around the side door. Though you can leave the material.
Stairs. Tread.
Natural stone, with a bull nose finish would look great. Something sand coloured.
Stairs. Risers.
Bricks between to match the surrounding to tie it in. Or, rendered and white, again to tie it in to the house.
Door.
Paint it a nice local colour. Or something traditional but bright (country green).
Planting. Patio.
Around your newly created non-patio! A box hedge the whole way round, but leaving a gap for entry.
The end of the box hedge could should a very nice pot plant. Think stone large planter. Adding height.
Planting front door.
Planters raising height. Topiary box. Or, bay trees. Green all year, despite weather.
Soil pipes
Paint them, or somehow disguise
That'll all be a big change. You can then add to it as you wish.
Good luck.
Gravel.
Change the gravel, go for a honey colour gravel. The house is too cold and stark, nearing mono-chromatic. This is be the BIGGEST change. It wl introduce significant warmth.
Patio. Shape.
The patio area around the door. Made smaller. I would be tempted to make it a semi circle, simply to break it up. However, keeping sharp angles look more formal. But, sharp angles would suit a victorian/Georgian looking villa, somewhere grand. A semi circle would suit a cottage look.
Patio Size.
Reduce the "patio" areas around the doors. It looks odd and somewhat like a back door not front.
Patio Material.
A brick to match the house.
Patio Height.
Agree. Raise the height of the lowest paved area to lose a step.
Also reduce the paved area around the side door. Though you can leave the material.
Stairs. Tread.
Natural stone, with a bull nose finish would look great. Something sand coloured.
Stairs. Risers.
Bricks between to match the surrounding to tie it in. Or, rendered and white, again to tie it in to the house.
Door.
Paint it a nice local colour. Or something traditional but bright (country green).
Planting. Patio.
Around your newly created non-patio! A box hedge the whole way round, but leaving a gap for entry.
The end of the box hedge could should a very nice pot plant. Think stone large planter. Adding height.
Planting front door.
Planters raising height. Topiary box. Or, bay trees. Green all year, despite weather.
Soil pipes
Paint them, or somehow disguise
That'll all be a big change. You can then add to it as you wish.
Good luck.
Edited by TCruise on Friday 26th February 08:16
Skyedriver said:
Looking for some ideas.
large area of gravel leads to this.
Concrete paving which despite cleaning never looks that good, steps which are not inviting and a miserable brown front door.
We are planning to renew the door (and replace the garage door to the left with it as it's in better condition than the garage one).
With the walls being "chalk white" and the woodwork dark brown the front door colour seems limited in choice. It will have more glass than present as the hall way is very dark so the colour is not so important I suppose.
The front door faces north, the concrete paving is often wet (west coast Scotland), the sun only reaches it early morning and therefore even more depressing than when dry. Replacing it with Yorkstone would look nice but past experience of north facing yorkstone is it turns green and slippy very quickly.
Decking would be the same and gets faded and tatty quickly. Yellow Bilau, does that lose colour?
Plastic decking looks plastic.
Block paving?
Could reduce the amount of paving and use more gravel, the gravel looks slightly more cheery than the hard surfaces.
Paint the steps?
Wouldn't mind raising the (reduced) hard paving area by say 150mm to lose the bottom step. (Done this at the rear where I've raised the previous crappy patio with Yorkstone (south facing).
The budget isn't limitless, but we want to get it right. It's becoming depressing every time you return home to see this. I've normally got a few ideas, my wife usually has 10x more.
Come on please, what's new?
I personally think you should get;large area of gravel leads to this.
Concrete paving which despite cleaning never looks that good, steps which are not inviting and a miserable brown front door.
We are planning to renew the door (and replace the garage door to the left with it as it's in better condition than the garage one).
With the walls being "chalk white" and the woodwork dark brown the front door colour seems limited in choice. It will have more glass than present as the hall way is very dark so the colour is not so important I suppose.
The front door faces north, the concrete paving is often wet (west coast Scotland), the sun only reaches it early morning and therefore even more depressing than when dry. Replacing it with Yorkstone would look nice but past experience of north facing yorkstone is it turns green and slippy very quickly.
Decking would be the same and gets faded and tatty quickly. Yellow Bilau, does that lose colour?
Plastic decking looks plastic.
Block paving?
Could reduce the amount of paving and use more gravel, the gravel looks slightly more cheery than the hard surfaces.
Paint the steps?
Wouldn't mind raising the (reduced) hard paving area by say 150mm to lose the bottom step. (Done this at the rear where I've raised the previous crappy patio with Yorkstone (south facing).
The budget isn't limitless, but we want to get it right. It's becoming depressing every time you return home to see this. I've normally got a few ideas, my wife usually has 10x more.
Come on please, what's new?
Edited by Skyedriver on Thursday 25th February 19:26
1. Resin bound driveway
2. Dig 1m deep holes and fill with topsoil/compost rich soil add watering tubes and have full standard trees of choice (google if you don’t know what a full standard tree is)
3. Build stone steps and have tops in resin bound
4. Have hanging pots from wall with evergreen dropping creepers- clematis can be found
5. Change awful brown timber to white ;-)
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