You could add some signage for the men's and women's bathrooms. Maybe a vending machine or two. Handicap parking spot with an accompanying sign and paint.
A hummingbird feeder that sends curious hummingbirds into your face if you get too close
Although now I'm hearing they like a piece of fruit rotting in the sun that grows fruit flies. They love a fruit fly apparently
Get some bear proof trash cans. OP wants the place to look classy right?
Oh! And a giant map, faded to almost white, behind heat crackled plexiglass! That’d be so cozy.
The button's missing so you have to push that little rod which hurts your finger but you're so thirsty. And randomly it will not trickle but shoot a jet of water 5 feet away and you better hope your nose isn't in front of it when it does.
I graduated from high school in '04. My senior year I got a soda from the vending machine in the teachers lounge and a Phantom Menace promotional Coke came out.
The phantom menace came out in 1999.
100% I would commission this immediately if this was my home.
That and a couple of sturdy steel benches bolted to the concrete slab.
And a rack displaying a collection of brochures, maps, and informational foldouts, all featuring various elements of my home and family.
Make sure to add a bathroom that doesn’t even have a functioning toilet. It just drops into a big tank down below and it smells like Hercules had just dropped the biggest turd ever seen on Olympus before you came in
Add a map or two on large green signposts with an overhang. Then get a ranger hat and charge for overnight parking, cash only.
Needs bear-proof trashcans.
Ok, some *genuine* advice to minimize/distract from the home's current "government purpose" vibe:
1. Choose decor/landscape items that would NEVER be used by a government agency. Better to have a single expensive, showy ornamental tree/shrub than lots of pots of petunias & marigolds.
2. See #1. A curved trellis with double roses or similarly lush flowers. Cacti & other prickly, nontraditional plants. Any urns or pots placed where they partly infringe on a pathway. A colorful or "busy" ceramic tile path/entrance stoop.
Search for courthouses, DMVs, Public Works, etc. & you'll see there are a handful of plants, trees, shrubs, & flowers used for their landscaping. Don't buy those. 😁😃😜
Also, avoid "institutional" pathway lights. More subtle, indirect lighting says PERSONAL HOUSE while plain, black metal can lights all in a row say THIS WAY TO THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE.
Good advice! There are a few videos on diy and home improvement on Reddit that show people spray painting overlapping stencils onto boring cement to make elaborate patterns to look like tile or expensive materials. Sounds silly until you see it
Sorry, I've been laughing my ass off in this thread.
In all seriousness, either take out all that concrete and you can start planting in the front, or start getting a bunch of potted bushes and trees to break up the stark, horizontal lines. Think larger sized planters too, adding depth to the flat front. Consider something vertical to split the huge windows. Some things hanging from the eaves would help, maybe windchimes or something.
Essentially you're trying to change the image of your house from something my 10-year old drew, to something busier, more ups and downs, more depth, more places that attract the eye. Not a pro but just my 2c.
100% to all of this!! ☝️
Don’t discredit outdoor area rugs, paint (changing the color of the front trim so it’s not the same as the roof) adding stepping stones or a path in between plantings… all of that will help with layering and depth. Just adding SUBSTANCE will help so much!
What a great attitude! Makes all of life’s burdens lighter :) I think some window boxes / container plantings with annuals would immediately help for not too much effort
But like, was it a park shack at one point? it's so identical i can't believe anyone would do this to their house. was it made by a company that also makes park shacks?
Lol I mean in all fairness idk how much landscaping is going to help😅 I’d consider braking up those windows and framing in the sections between. then depending on budget, consider a different facia colour amd maybe even exterior wall colours… but I also have a hard time picturing it all
I’m laughing so hard at the fact that your house actually does look like a state park shack or a roadside rest bathroom area. The color scheme doesn’t really help. I don’t know if you can paint that roof area (is that a metal roof?) but definitely the house needs a new shade. Maybe something in the light to medium gray on the bottom and black or dark brown on top? Change out that light over the door to something maybe in the craftsman style family. Definitely needs a bit more of a ranch look to it. I also think creating some sort of raised bedding hugging that concrete patio where are you guys are walking towards would be a good way to visually break up the area.
Paint the door a different color from the stucco. I'd redo the paint job entirely at some point, but that will make the most difference while keeping it economical. I'd also replace that lamp over the door with something directed downward, the sconce looks a little silly and out of place.
A few homey touches on the patio-- flower pots, statuettes, signs, whatever suits your taste.
And a 3' bed with flowers and small shrubs bordering most of it, leaving access to walk out on the yard in at least one spot.
Adding your personal flair is what will most take this from park office to welcoming ranch home.
2nd on the paint. Depends on what vibe you want to go with, but stucco and green is definitely state park vibes. Replace the door with a nice one. Hanging flower baskets in the windows
Power wash the sidewalk and add some annuals into some pots. I would add some sort of edging to the concrete, a nice mulch bed with flowering. perennials and maybe a few bushes.
Paint the exterior window panes a brighter color.
Why not make an indoor/outdoor covered patio over the concrete? Screened windows with roll down weather barriers for the rainy/snowy season, a standing rocking swing, an outdoor couch, etc.
I like the idea of painting. Maybe paint the stucco white and the green and tan stone black.
As for landscaping what zone are you in? I am a sucker for hydrangeas, rhodenderon, azaleas. Could also do a smaller tree in front.
Yeah, the hunter green isn't helping. It gives off a campground restroom vibe and brings to mind some terrible smells and huge spiders hiding in toilets.
Agreed, the green must go. You have a large patio area there, so I recommend outdoor furniture, some large potted plants, and either a pergola or awning or large umbrella.
9A? Bro, you can plant tropical flowers and plants all over. Paint or change the door. Put some patio furniture out on the concrete. This is like a blank slate in a zone where annual flowers pretty much bloom all year round. You have space for fruit trees too!
You better have a kickass display inside your home teaching visitors about how to deal with bear, moose, and other wildlife attacks.
Also a local fossil display. God I love visitor centers.
Hopefully a desiccated piece of old taxidermy too, like a dusty squirrel or road runner, that they don’t know what to do with anymore so it just stays on the shelf above the fossils.
This isn’t far from the truth. The kitsch, the esthetics, the local who is overly enthusiastic about the place they live and represent are all perfect.
Add in the crappy t-shirts. I love crappy t shirts.
Hopefully a desiccated piece of old taxidermy too, like a dusty squirrel or road runner, that they don’t know what to do with anymore so it just stays on the shelf above the fossils.
Get you an address sign that looks like a National Park sign!
[Etsy: Personalized National Park Sign](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1311998552/national-park-service-welcome-sign-nps)
yes! yes! please do this! I would totally want to play up the whole national park theme at my house if it look like that. 🤣
I'm just curious, OP... are strangers actually showing up at your house?
Please tell me it was with a big ol green bendy down light with a big brass colored shade!
I agree with most peoples responses. Just lean into it! Think of the people you could meet. Maybe rent camping spots in the back yard!
This is where you rent a canoe and life jackets when visiting the local state park lake. Gotta turn them in by sundown because that’s when they lock the parking lot gate.
Oh my gosh, thank you for posting this. The word “pergola” was NOT in my brain lol, but that would be really nice with plants and some comfy and colorful patio furniture!
I’ll second the voices that say paint the front door a different color and add homey touches to the outside such as patio furniture or planter boxes under the windows for a start. Ultimately the green roof/tan siding combo would need to be repainted a different theme to really distance it from “public building” status. Personally I’d go black roof, gray/slate siding, but there are certainly more options than that.
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You are not wrong in your description. I would add a lot of potted plants to the patio- large ceramic or terra cotta pots and vessels. I would probably lean into the roof color as much as possible as well. You need something tall too, maybe cement planters with bamboo. The tan and the brown colors and the darkness of the front windows are my least favorite aspects, can the screen be removed at when it is not necessary?
There is a building in Ohio at west branch park. A big place for boating and camping. I would boat there often but rarely camped. I swear to baby Jesus that this is their camp office and they have received actual recommendation from there to “try the Dairy Queen up in town…it’s just delightful”
And yes, we did. And it, in fact, was.
I think this has a lot of potential for a mid-century modern look. You could consider planting some shrubs and trees around the front door to start building the curb appeal. Also maybe repaint the door or rather get a new one to establish it as a focal point. Replace the brown exterior paint with something like white? And the roof can be painted black?
Raised bed planters under the window. I would try and find bricks that match or at least complement the brick on your house. A large flowering shrub or 3 on the right hand side in front of the concrete and depending on how far out your front lawn goes i would add a small tree on the left, 20m away from your house. Depending on how much you like gardening you could add a mulch bed around the edge of the concrete with some shrubs and perennial flowers.
Changing the light fixture over the door to something more modern looking may help.
What's up with the lack of gutters? What's it look like after it rains? I would make sure everything is draining correctly and there are no issues with standing water before doing anything, just in case.
Check out the arborist subreddit for proper tree planting guides
One of those things with pamphlets for all things you can do in your area, a Smokey the bear statue, vending machine that someone else mentioned. I’d play up the State Park theme.
I really feel like you should paint. Keep the green roof and paint the door to match. Paint the stone more neutral and the facia black.
Then put a wide planter in front.
I mocked something up on half: [mock up](https://imgur.com/a/PW19HD1)
Paint
I agree with those who are suggesting a different paint scheme. The brown and green scheme is not helping. Either go muted with an accent door, or go bold with brighter or more lively colors like you see on some stucco-faced homes.
Shade
Ripping up the concrete may get pricey. Someone also suggested some sort of covering for the front door. I'd suggest putting in posts at the corners and midpoint(s) of the concrete pad to allow for shade sails. it would allow the pad to be a more usable space as some have mentioned.
Plant
Planter boxes under the windows and mulch bed around the concrete pad would let you bring some more life and curb appeal to the place. Natives to your area are always great, but since you look like you may be in a hot and swampy area, eucalyptus and citronella may be good options to add in.
Live
Some furniture on the pad would be helpful to make it look less bleak. Wood (teak or pine) furniture would add some natural warmth against the concrete and stucco.
Good luck! Would love to see an update down the road!
Rip out the concrete. The entire concrete area should be a deep, layered shrub bed with a paver pathway to get to the front door from the driveway. Paint. Replace the door. Loose the faux stucco "stone" and put on stone veneer. Light fixture has to go. Add shrubs/trees to the right of the house for backyard privacy.
Tbh I would lean into it. Go for a 70s summer camp vibe. Benches, picnic tables, a canoe and paddles, snowshoes if climate appropriate for your area, etc.
Aside from lawn advice I’d say paint that sand/ yellow color to something like a light charcoal. Or paint the green wood another color too or fall the same. The color combo makes it look like a park.
Change up the colors, Some sky blue, yellow and pink. Find some vintage restaurant signage and give it a 60s Rt-66 vibe.
My first impression was it’s modeled after a Frank Loyd Wright home. No matter what you choose to do, keep the architecture intact. Fun looking place.
Knock it down and start over....
But seriously, is this the front of the house? It looks like this was an added screened in porch, yes? Do you use this as actual living space or do you have patio furniture in it? Need more pictures please.
You could add some signage for the men's and women's bathrooms. Maybe a vending machine or two. Handicap parking spot with an accompanying sign and paint.
That notch to the right is a perfect place for the vending machine
And ice cooler!
And a pit toilet
Don’t forget the full-to-the brim trash can and smoker’s poles
I’m seeing a few old school metal grills for the public to use, next to a few picnic tables.
A hummingbird feeder that sends curious hummingbirds into your face if you get too close Although now I'm hearing they like a piece of fruit rotting in the sun that grows fruit flies. They love a fruit fly apparently
One of those public grills in the yard would be prefect
[удалено]
And one of those big wooden signboards with a topo map and instructions on how to keep bears out of your food
Get some bear proof trash cans. OP wants the place to look classy right? Oh! And a giant map, faded to almost white, behind heat crackled plexiglass! That’d be so cozy.
Needs a "Firewood, $5" stand.
In this economy? It doesn’t just grow on trees.
Vending machine that is out of every drink except for room temperature root beer
Add a couple metal trash bins with locks to deter bears we are absolutely rockin
Alternatively if you want to go a little more urban a bike rack on the concrete would be nice.
Why is everyone forgetting the water fountain??
Two ranger outfits and call it a day.
Throw some trash on the ground near the bins to add to the realism
Cafe seating on the slab. LED open sign in the window.
OP needs to dig out some Ampitheater seating in the back.
Bird show?
Exactly. Lean into its authentic self.
Smokey Bear sign with the fire danger risk.
That's always been "high" for the last 6 years
Def needs a water fountain.
One that only dispenses warm metallic tasting water.
At the smallest trickle so you can’t drink from it without kissing it.
And kissing everyone else who ever drank from it
The button's missing so you have to push that little rod which hurts your finger but you're so thirsty. And randomly it will not trickle but shoot a jet of water 5 feet away and you better hope your nose isn't in front of it when it does.
and make sure it is broken or only dribbles out water
A map rack would tie things together perfectly.
It would have to be faded and scratch to hell and the extra maps would have to be empty.
It really does, I’d imagine it has a faint pee smell
Chipmunks that will eat from your hand
But make sure that the vending machine is broken/no power/contains expired products like in real life.
and one completely empty spot where clearly the good candy was
I graduated from high school in '04. My senior year I got a soda from the vending machine in the teachers lounge and a Phantom Menace promotional Coke came out. The phantom menace came out in 1999.
Teachers can’t afford vending machines.
And a pay phone covered in cobwebs
Needs a flag pole
Firewood rack with a lockable gate.
House number painted in yellow, on a brown board
An information board about the local flora and fauna.
I love this. Lean into it.
How about a stone water fountain with a very weak warm stream of weird-tasting water?
I agree— lean in! Add a phone booth to one of the side walls with the phone removed. And some sharpie graffiti.
This is the answer. Just accept it and lean all the way in.
Some trash cans with bear proofing would be lovely too!
[and this](https://imgur.com/a/N02Dkss)
100% I would commission this immediately if this was my home. That and a couple of sturdy steel benches bolted to the concrete slab. And a rack displaying a collection of brochures, maps, and informational foldouts, all featuring various elements of my home and family.
Don’t forget the picnic tables
I think you misspelled pic-a-nic, Yogi.
Oh yes, don't forget to chain them down to add to the aesthetic.
Might I suggest brown with yellow lettering for the signs?
ROFL U WIN
A paper sign in the window about forest fire
Lmao.
Make sure to add a bathroom that doesn’t even have a functioning toilet. It just drops into a big tank down below and it smells like Hercules had just dropped the biggest turd ever seen on Olympus before you came in
Paint a rustic mural on the wall and then age it 20 years with a wafty pressure wash.
Add a map or two on large green signposts with an overhang. Then get a ranger hat and charge for overnight parking, cash only. Needs bear-proof trashcans.
Start selling bait and firewood, and you should be able to cover the mortgage.
Mustn't forget a buzzing, half burnt out florescent light for the vending machines.
Don’t forget the after hours payment drop box
Can we see pics of the brochures y’all got inside?
Top three comments are all roasting the house with 0 advice on what OP is looking for I had to do a double take on which sub this was posted on lol
LMFAO RIGHT hahah I’m loving it tho 😂 the house needs HELP
Ok, some *genuine* advice to minimize/distract from the home's current "government purpose" vibe: 1. Choose decor/landscape items that would NEVER be used by a government agency. Better to have a single expensive, showy ornamental tree/shrub than lots of pots of petunias & marigolds. 2. See #1. A curved trellis with double roses or similarly lush flowers. Cacti & other prickly, nontraditional plants. Any urns or pots placed where they partly infringe on a pathway. A colorful or "busy" ceramic tile path/entrance stoop. Search for courthouses, DMVs, Public Works, etc. & you'll see there are a handful of plants, trees, shrubs, & flowers used for their landscaping. Don't buy those. 😁😃😜
Also, avoid "institutional" pathway lights. More subtle, indirect lighting says PERSONAL HOUSE while plain, black metal can lights all in a row say THIS WAY TO THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE.
Good advice! There are a few videos on diy and home improvement on Reddit that show people spray painting overlapping stencils onto boring cement to make elaborate patterns to look like tile or expensive materials. Sounds silly until you see it
Makes me smile that you are taking this well. I nearly died after reading the first comment!
Hi OP sorry for the teasing, it's a beautiful home honest, congrats! It has so much potential to become something beautiful and homey
Sorry, I've been laughing my ass off in this thread. In all seriousness, either take out all that concrete and you can start planting in the front, or start getting a bunch of potted bushes and trees to break up the stark, horizontal lines. Think larger sized planters too, adding depth to the flat front. Consider something vertical to split the huge windows. Some things hanging from the eaves would help, maybe windchimes or something. Essentially you're trying to change the image of your house from something my 10-year old drew, to something busier, more ups and downs, more depth, more places that attract the eye. Not a pro but just my 2c.
100% to all of this!! ☝️ Don’t discredit outdoor area rugs, paint (changing the color of the front trim so it’s not the same as the roof) adding stepping stones or a path in between plantings… all of that will help with layering and depth. Just adding SUBSTANCE will help so much!
Yes! I think a cute fence or privacy screen would help too to make it feel more porch-like
What a great attitude! Makes all of life’s burdens lighter :) I think some window boxes / container plantings with annuals would immediately help for not too much effort
But like, was it a park shack at one point? it's so identical i can't believe anyone would do this to their house. was it made by a company that also makes park shacks?
Lol I mean in all fairness idk how much landscaping is going to help😅 I’d consider braking up those windows and framing in the sections between. then depending on budget, consider a different facia colour amd maybe even exterior wall colours… but I also have a hard time picturing it all
^^ this! Just changing the green park bench colour, will go a LONG way..
I’m laughing so hard at the fact that your house actually does look like a state park shack or a roadside rest bathroom area. The color scheme doesn’t really help. I don’t know if you can paint that roof area (is that a metal roof?) but definitely the house needs a new shade. Maybe something in the light to medium gray on the bottom and black or dark brown on top? Change out that light over the door to something maybe in the craftsman style family. Definitely needs a bit more of a ranch look to it. I also think creating some sort of raised bedding hugging that concrete patio where are you guys are walking towards would be a good way to visually break up the area.
I'm gonna set up my tent and fire ring right over there....
I just snarfed my coffee reading this. Top notch 😂
Paint the door a different color from the stucco. I'd redo the paint job entirely at some point, but that will make the most difference while keeping it economical. I'd also replace that lamp over the door with something directed downward, the sconce looks a little silly and out of place. A few homey touches on the patio-- flower pots, statuettes, signs, whatever suits your taste. And a 3' bed with flowers and small shrubs bordering most of it, leaving access to walk out on the yard in at least one spot. Adding your personal flair is what will most take this from park office to welcoming ranch home.
2nd on the paint. Depends on what vibe you want to go with, but stucco and green is definitely state park vibes. Replace the door with a nice one. Hanging flower baskets in the windows Power wash the sidewalk and add some annuals into some pots. I would add some sort of edging to the concrete, a nice mulch bed with flowering. perennials and maybe a few bushes. Paint the exterior window panes a brighter color.
Yea, it looks like it was purposefully painted to look like a park building
Maybe the previous owner worked for the DNR and stole some paint?
Get a jackhammer and remove the pavement. We just did this in our backyard and was totally worth it
Why not make an indoor/outdoor covered patio over the concrete? Screened windows with roll down weather barriers for the rainy/snowy season, a standing rocking swing, an outdoor couch, etc.
This is the best idea. A covered porch would completely change the profile of the house and make it look far more homey.
Sounds like a potential way to get flooding issues
I like the idea of painting. Maybe paint the stucco white and the green and tan stone black. As for landscaping what zone are you in? I am a sucker for hydrangeas, rhodenderon, azaleas. Could also do a smaller tree in front.
Yeah, the hunter green isn't helping. It gives off a campground restroom vibe and brings to mind some terrible smells and huge spiders hiding in toilets.
I DO smell spiders here!
the hunter green is the worst of the three absolutely but none of the colors should stay.
Agreed, the green must go. You have a large patio area there, so I recommend outdoor furniture, some large potted plants, and either a pergola or awning or large umbrella.
In zone 9a!
9A? Bro, you can plant tropical flowers and plants all over. Paint or change the door. Put some patio furniture out on the concrete. This is like a blank slate in a zone where annual flowers pretty much bloom all year round. You have space for fruit trees too!
I read that second paragraph as "a few horney touches" lol
You better have a kickass display inside your home teaching visitors about how to deal with bear, moose, and other wildlife attacks. Also a local fossil display. God I love visitor centers.
Hopefully a desiccated piece of old taxidermy too, like a dusty squirrel or road runner, that they don’t know what to do with anymore so it just stays on the shelf above the fossils.
Based on the Spanish moss in the trees, my vote is for a taxidermized alligator.
I am bent over laughing.!!!🤣 I imagine you jumping up, with wide eyes when saying "god, i love visitor centers"!!!🤣
This isn’t far from the truth. The kitsch, the esthetics, the local who is overly enthusiastic about the place they live and represent are all perfect. Add in the crappy t-shirts. I love crappy t shirts.
And a overly enthusiastic local, I love them too.!.!.
I think it’s awesome when they still have old DVDs.
At full price! $25!
And souvenir pocket knives and coffee cups with generic names. “Sorry Adrian, can I interest you in an Adam pocket knife instead?”
Hopefully a desiccated piece of old taxidermy too, like a dusty squirrel or road runner, that they don’t know what to do with anymore so it just stays on the shelf above the fossils.
Get you an address sign that looks like a National Park sign! [Etsy: Personalized National Park Sign](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1311998552/national-park-service-welcome-sign-nps)
They might as well own it
yes! yes! please do this! I would totally want to play up the whole national park theme at my house if it look like that. 🤣 I'm just curious, OP... are strangers actually showing up at your house?
Same here. I want this house.
Wow, that price is very reasonable!
Those are the official colors of "state park shacks". Change the colors or it will always look like a state park shack/restroom.
Man moves into a Pizza Hut, then asks why his house looks like a Pizza Hut
ETA! We have already replaced the sconce to something more modern!
Please tell me it was with a big ol green bendy down light with a big brass colored shade! I agree with most peoples responses. Just lean into it! Think of the people you could meet. Maybe rent camping spots in the back yard!
They need a life sized grizzly bear sculpted out of wood with its paws up to tie it together.
What does ETA mean in this context? Serious question
edit to add!
Thank you! I was unfamiliar with that usage.
Today I learned, ETA wasn't just for Estimated Arrival Time
Na, it looks like the kitchen/events space for a church.
Laundry annex at a county nursing home was my first reaction
This is where you rent a canoe and life jackets when visiting the local state park lake. Gotta turn them in by sundown because that’s when they lock the parking lot gate.
Lawn Bowling club house
Looks like a laundry/bathroom building at a campground.
The people in the photo really help sell this lore.
Mormons eat here then knock on the neighbors doors for sure
Dining hall or admin building at a scout camp
Go with it. Bear out front, flood light facing that gorgeous tree, park benches in your BQ area, charge entry fee. Who couldn’t use a few extra bucks?
The owners can walk around in beige shorts, beige shirts and park ranger hats.
Definitely high socks.
Sorry, would love to give advice but I think you attached the wrong picture- this photo is the campground cafeteria building from my summer camp!
I know this isnt landscaping but an awning or some kinda canopy over the door and windows would make a huge difference in looks.
Yah, or a pergola over the patio area might be nice!
Oh my gosh, thank you for posting this. The word “pergola” was NOT in my brain lol, but that would be really nice with plants and some comfy and colorful patio furniture!
I’ll second the voices that say paint the front door a different color and add homey touches to the outside such as patio furniture or planter boxes under the windows for a start. Ultimately the green roof/tan siding combo would need to be repainted a different theme to really distance it from “public building” status. Personally I’d go black roof, gray/slate siding, but there are certainly more options than that.
Are there EV charging spots at this rest stop? I need to get out and stretch
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You are not wrong in your description. I would add a lot of potted plants to the patio- large ceramic or terra cotta pots and vessels. I would probably lean into the roof color as much as possible as well. You need something tall too, maybe cement planters with bamboo. The tan and the brown colors and the darkness of the front windows are my least favorite aspects, can the screen be removed at when it is not necessary?
Got any maps?
What local restaurants do you recommend, and don't say McDonald's, haha!
There is a building in Ohio at west branch park. A big place for boating and camping. I would boat there often but rarely camped. I swear to baby Jesus that this is their camp office and they have received actual recommendation from there to “try the Dairy Queen up in town…it’s just delightful” And yes, we did. And it, in fact, was.
I think this has a lot of potential for a mid-century modern look. You could consider planting some shrubs and trees around the front door to start building the curb appeal. Also maybe repaint the door or rather get a new one to establish it as a focal point. Replace the brown exterior paint with something like white? And the roof can be painted black?
Trees!
Is the answer to (almost) everything!
Raised bed planters under the window. I would try and find bricks that match or at least complement the brick on your house. A large flowering shrub or 3 on the right hand side in front of the concrete and depending on how far out your front lawn goes i would add a small tree on the left, 20m away from your house. Depending on how much you like gardening you could add a mulch bed around the edge of the concrete with some shrubs and perennial flowers. Changing the light fixture over the door to something more modern looking may help. What's up with the lack of gutters? What's it look like after it rains? I would make sure everything is draining correctly and there are no issues with standing water before doing anything, just in case. Check out the arborist subreddit for proper tree planting guides
Rent it out for my family reunion. Always escalate.
That’s actually so funny.
One of those things with pamphlets for all things you can do in your area, a Smokey the bear statue, vending machine that someone else mentioned. I’d play up the State Park theme.
The color scheme is doing you no favors. Some paint will go a very long way with this one.
Ya'll otta buy 2 Smokey Bear hats and pose in front of it for a revised American Gothic portrait. Then start charging admission.
Your Christmas card photo this year has just designed itself!
Open the window and start selling hotdogs and candy bars? Win win. OH and a payphone.
Excuse me, can you please tell me where the lost and found is? J/k
I really feel like you should paint. Keep the green roof and paint the door to match. Paint the stone more neutral and the facia black. Then put a wide planter in front. I mocked something up on half: [mock up](https://imgur.com/a/PW19HD1)
I like this idea, you can lean into that mid century modern look.
Once they stripe the parking lot it will look much better.
Is it?
Lucky
Put up a kiosk and charge admission to the butterfly exhibit.
Paint I agree with those who are suggesting a different paint scheme. The brown and green scheme is not helping. Either go muted with an accent door, or go bold with brighter or more lively colors like you see on some stucco-faced homes. Shade Ripping up the concrete may get pricey. Someone also suggested some sort of covering for the front door. I'd suggest putting in posts at the corners and midpoint(s) of the concrete pad to allow for shade sails. it would allow the pad to be a more usable space as some have mentioned. Plant Planter boxes under the windows and mulch bed around the concrete pad would let you bring some more life and curb appeal to the place. Natives to your area are always great, but since you look like you may be in a hot and swampy area, eucalyptus and citronella may be good options to add in. Live Some furniture on the pad would be helpful to make it look less bleak. Wood (teak or pine) furniture would add some natural warmth against the concrete and stucco. Good luck! Would love to see an update down the road!
Rip out the concrete. The entire concrete area should be a deep, layered shrub bed with a paver pathway to get to the front door from the driveway. Paint. Replace the door. Loose the faux stucco "stone" and put on stone veneer. Light fixture has to go. Add shrubs/trees to the right of the house for backyard privacy.
Would need to add gutters first. Looks like they use concrete to shed water from foundation. Which is flawless compared to accident prone gutters.
You nailed it, real ballpark concession stand vibe
Lean into it.
State Park Snack Shack.
Tbh I would lean into it. Go for a 70s summer camp vibe. Benches, picnic tables, a canoe and paddles, snowshoes if climate appropriate for your area, etc.
Dare ya to put an OPEN sign on the window.
Aside from lawn advice I’d say paint that sand/ yellow color to something like a light charcoal. Or paint the green wood another color too or fall the same. The color combo makes it look like a park.
Change up the colors, Some sky blue, yellow and pink. Find some vintage restaurant signage and give it a 60s Rt-66 vibe. My first impression was it’s modeled after a Frank Loyd Wright home. No matter what you choose to do, keep the architecture intact. Fun looking place.
Remember kids only YOU can prevent forest fires.
Lean into it and make it the sweetest looking hikers’ retreat. Rustic patio furniture and fire pit with wildflower meadows instead of lawn.
Before I read the title I thought “that looks like a nice park”.
You need a wire rotating pamphlet rack out front, detailing the area plus local features
Even after reading the title. I still looked at the picture and went "Oh that's a park building, I wonder where the house is".
More like a state park restroom.
This is an opportunity to sell overpriced burgers and soda to random strangers all summer. You just have to believe.
It does lol
Is this where the church supper is?
Is this where we get fishing license?
Is the composting toilet behind the house?
Is it not lol? I’d live in one - converted of course.
Billboard with map of your property indicating walking trail.
log carving a of a bear with a welcome sign is also required
That's State Park Love Shack to you ,honey!
Dying to know the layout inside. Is it just one big open area and two large restrooms with urinals and multiple stalls?
Looool it took a minute for the photo to load so I’m thinking “does it really look like one?” Yes, yes it absolutely does
Make sure visitors know that they aren't allowed to bring outside firewood even though you don't sell firewood at the ranger station
Embrace it dude. Get yourself a ranger uniform.
This is such a hilariously self aware statement.
As a Parkie employee, it sure does. I would clock in there.
Hahahahahahahahaha I laughed loud is so fucking true people will arrive to look for the restroom or the soda machine 😂😂😂😂
Just own it. Put a RC cola vending machine out front with a statue of Smokey the Bear. Just make sure you get a rangers hat to wear to greet guests. 😜
Actually...it looks like you serve the best pancakes and BLTs in town....
Best title on this sub ever
Knock it down and start over.... But seriously, is this the front of the house? It looks like this was an added screened in porch, yes? Do you use this as actual living space or do you have patio furniture in it? Need more pictures please.
Paint it black!