Help me make this house more attractive.

[Deni99]

We have just bought this house and I would really welcome any advice about to make it look prettier and less dated. All ideas welcome.
Picture on profile. Thanks

this one has a flat roof www.bing.com/images/search?q=cottage+front+garden&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=cottage+front+garden&sc=3-20&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=04E8CD31B1FF2FAAF38010A448F17825122BD7BE&selectedIndex=86

13 windows and french door upvc £8,0000, wood nearly double South East!

Seasalt, thank you so much I really love that last link x

CHange the windows to tradional casement windows. Either in 3 vertical sections, or with a horizontal glazing bar like this. YOu could take a look at Rationel windows. We just had some put in and they weren't too expensive ( can't say exactly as it was costed as part of a whole building job, but the glazing part wasn't as expensive as I was expecting). They are a German company and the windows are very solidly made. I was worried the metal hinges would look odd but they are excellent and brilliant insulation. Rationel website they have UK suppliers.

Agree with other posters - you need to redo the garden almost completely. Get rid of the horrible shrubs and the conifer and plant a hedge behind the wall. Clambering honeysuckle and wistaria around the front of the house. And flower beds around the front, with a lawn in the middle.

I am very allergic to seeing curtains (in fact, the lining of curtains) through the windows. It looks very messy from the outside. See if you put curtain runners right across the inside wall so that you can draw the curtains back completely during the day and they are invisible from the outside.

If you wanted to spend a lot of money you could replace the roof tiles!

I wouldn't bother changing the windows (unless you really have pots of money to throw at this), however I would change the door for a wooden one and paint it an f&b greeny grey, Lichen or similar. I would also paint the garage door this colour too. And agree with the cottage garden planting and climbing plants etc

I wouldn't put a lawn in the front if you are going for a cottage style personally. Try to identify the shrubs as they may work, they may need to be tended to a little differently in future.

I would put down weed suppressant membrane, then cover with gravel to match the drive, then plant herbaceous borders GJ/cottage style.

I would keep the planting around the building to softer climbers to avoid structural damage.

Betterwhen, thank you so much for the link. i have sent Doug the house details and awaiting a quote.
Bonsoir, thanks for the curtain tip, agree re the shrubs. The tiles will have to wait...

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