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I didn't know anything existed like this anywhere near D.C.! What town are you in? I love it!! Congratulations on your home.

The house I like - It's the landscaping that's holding this place back. Is there even a walkway from the front door to the driveway?

First off, I'd investigate having the utility lines buried underground - those overhanging cables are just awful!

Then I'd consider removing the asphalt driveway and installing a driveway of openweave pavers that have openings for low grasses or sedges to come through - and a low retaining wall along the left side of the driveway that leads your eye towards the house and terminates in a curve about 3-4 feet from the existing planter where you could put in a new curved stairway leading up to a flagstone walkway that would run in front of the plantings to the front door. Above this retaining wall, I'd plant more low shrubs and flowers, ending up w/ a Japanese Maple at the curved end by the stairway.

I'd consider removing or pruning back the old gangly shrubs that are lining the front wall, and adding in more interesting specimens - and the grey bushy stuff (What is it?) by the driveway needs to go, the silver/grey color seems wrong for that space - perhaps some lavender would be better and add more color?

For additional ideas, I'd consult a professional landscape designer and make a long-term plan for your garden - You have a lovely house and your yard has some great potential!

Great house! Since this house is of the same vain of Eichler and Gregory Ains Houses I would look at the galleries of photos for inspiration. I think it looks nice as is. Just needs some landscaping.



http://www.eichlersocal.com/tmbgallery.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=8Z_-K4Ss-RoC&dq=joseph eichler homes&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=dnuUSsWpFoK2sgOLvNnUBg&sa=X&oi=
book_result&ct=result&resnum=11#v=onepage&q=joseph%20eichler%20homes&f=false

Gregory Ains-
http://marvistatract.org/

http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/gregory-ain

http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/gregory-ain

The house is fine. It's the landscaping that needs your attention. LoriSF gave you the perfect web sites to research the house scape.

If the bylaws allow it, do some landscaping! Maybe a manicured hedge for a bit of privacy. It's a shame to waste such a nice patch of land on a lawn when there could be flowers and veggies there, but I get it.

You need a nice path to the front door --a meander, with carpet roses on the outer edge and scotch broom on the inner edge :)

Lose the lawn, plant a wild garden and make a winding stone pathway.

I looked at LoriSF's links, and I really love the idea of a roof that juts out, like this: http://www.eichlersocal.com/GalleryPages051109/Glendale728.htm Even though it's probably impossibly expensive.

I also think it needs a sidewalk, something to lead the eye up to the door. And plants - I'm all about the plants and trees.

Great house and great ideas. Please put up some pictures of the inside sometime--I am dying to see it!

Your house TOTALLY reminds me of Sarah Richardson's house. She is a well-known Canadian designer who transformed a tired 60's house into a stunning masterpiece. The before and after is absolutely awe-inspiring. Check out her website and if you actually get a chance to watch her tv show, even better. Maybe you can get it on DVD? Anyway, here is the link. Check it out and please let me know what you think. Good luck, Jeannie!
http://www.hgtv.ca/sarahshouse/default.aspxTV.

Further to previous message:

OOPs, here is the proper link to Sarah's House:
http://www.hgtv.ca/sarahshouse/default.aspx

yes, i agree take out some of the lawn and put in plants and elevation changes. my landscape architect used grapeseed in my front yard http://picasaweb.google.com/cadendomingo/AlamedaHouseForRent#5320556796328225186

Ditto what bepsf said...

I like the colour of the house, and would leave as-is. However, I would remove the storm door, and replace the front door with a simple slab door, either in wood (a natural mahogany or walnut) or a strong colour. It should be the plainest, simplest door possible, with the most minimal trim. I'd team it minimal stainless lever hardware.

http://www.funkyfront.co.uk/viewProductConfigs.php?productId=1

(click on the Bonn or Bremen door, the plainest version, for the sort of effect I mean)

If you make it a painted metal door, make it a heavily pigmented paint. Perhaps the best palette for a great colour would by Le Corbusier at kt Color --maybe the dark red (LC 32.090) or dark blue (LC 43.18). (since they only make interior paints, I'd try to have the colour matched in Brilliant Hollandac Enamel by Fine Paints of Europe).

Next, add some MCM style house numbers, for example, the Neutra ones:

http://www.dwr.com/product/neutra-house-numbers-aluminum.do?keyword=house numbers&sortby=ourPicks

In order to see them to their best advantage, you will need lighting. You can either go with an exterior light fixture (I find it hard to source nice ones) or with wall washers situated on the ground in front of the house. Lighting will add another dimension of curb appeal to your home.

Now, for the landscaping... I see some sort of contemporary naturalistic (xeriscaped) landscape, with lots of grasses (I would tear out the shrubs there now). I would run a path parallel to the house from the driveway, and feature a long raised stone planter on the street side, and shallow stairs on the house side.

I love the work of Bernard Trainor, but I think he only practices around SF. But take a look at his portfolio to get a sense of the sort of landscaping I think would suit your home:

http://www.bernardtrainor.com/

http://architecturelab.net/2008/08/21/a-sustainability-that-aims-to-seduce/

Good luck -- it is a fun project!

Great house - love the carport! Is this in the Alexandria area? I remember seeing some houses like this near ours (in Wessynton). We should swap DC 60s house tips!

great ideas everyone! Thanks for the tips on the "feichler" (fake eichler). I like the idea of saving some money and hiring a professional. and yes, we're in Alexandria.

To akhmatova (and others): If you are looking for more information about mid-century modern houses in the DC area, check out the blog "Modern Capital" run by Michael Shapiro at http://moderncapital.blogspot.com.

In fact, I've often wondered why the Apartment Therapy DC team has never featured his outstanding site. He has information on all of the neighborhoods in the area that feature contemporary architecture, and regularly lists those that are on the market.

I happen to live in one myself...and first found out about the neighborhood from his blog.

also, love the ideas the Sarah Richardson ideas with the exterior. The house is very similiar.

I think my next question to everyone will be what to do with all the indoor rock gardens that are in the house.

Here's the post I did on Modern Capital about Jeannie's house when it was on the market:

http://moderncapital.blogspot.com/2009/01/1961-stratford-landing-model-d-mcm-495k.html

Jeannie,

Congrats on the house.

In terms of exterior colors, check out Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern line of exterior colors

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/paint_color_palette/color_themes/exterior/ext_suburban/index.jsp

@pod person: Thanks for the shout out. Here's a working link to the main page of the blog: http://moderncapital.blogspot.com/

Totally agree, leave the house as is, just refresh the paint if need be and/or just powerwash it down to clean it up and it'll be fine. If the door looks to have been replaced w/ a more traditional paneled door, swap it out with a plain slab door and look at doors from homes taken during the 60's for inspiration and add some molding to replicate something similar if you want but leave it red and ditch the screen/storm door tho or find one that is more in keeping w/ the home's style if you really need one.

I'm assuming there is a side entrance, possibly into a kitchen or laundry/service area in the carport, hence not seeing an obvious pathway to the front, but it may well be there, just not seen in this photo.

I'd make a more dramatic pathway to it using wide concrete steps and use more architecturally strong plants in place of what's there now and reduce or get rid of the lawn, I'd leave a little bit for variety but replace with lower water tolerant plants however.

I can't tell but it almost looks like you had/have a hanging light above the door, probably one of those sphere lights, if so, get a new shade and keep it as it'll keep it in the spirit of the house.

As for the interior rock gardens, I'd see if they drain or not and if they do, add suculants and other similar plants in the rocks and let them be your greenery. Some cactuses will have colorful blooms so I'd look for some of those to add color.

Good luck!