The Art of Blending Modern Design with Historic Home Details
By: Mackenzie
Infusing historic homes with modern details is a great way to get the most out of your curb appeal. Historic homes possess timeless character — ornate woodwork, vintage materials, and intricate architecture — but these classic features don’t have to feel stuck in the past. By incorporating sleek modern touches, you can elevate the charm of your home’s historic exterior while making it feel fresh and relevant. Read on for some of our designers’ favorite ways to join these two design styles.
From historic Colonial houses to modern mountain homes, brick&batten can tackle any design style. We’ll work with you to understand your goals and make a plan to get the most out of your exterior. Learn more about what we do.
Enhance natural materials
Historic homes often embrace beautiful natural materials like the natural stone accent walls in this design. We loved the texture and dimension of this stone, and we wanted to amplify it by using a bold paint color for the stucco section. We opted for a deep green hue with blue undertones, drawing inspiration from the blue-toned stones throughout the exterior.
For extra modern touches, we used bold black gutters and trim, unifying the design. Our designers also opted for modern walkway pavers, infusing even more texture to the design. We chose sleek pavers for the landscaping, providing contrast among the rigid stones on the house. Finally, the front door has a classic feel with the arched layout and wood, but adds a modern splash with the glass and sleek black handles.
Choose secondary colors that ground the aesthetic
Honoring the integrity of historic homes is important, and our designers wanted the beautiful red brick on this house to remain the star of the show. From the vertical siding on the upper right section of the house to the shake cladding on the dormer and upper gable and the stone on the balcony, this exterior showcases several different materials. We kept the colors of these sections neutral to avoid overcomplicating the aesthetic, drawing the eye to the red brick.
Grounding the palette, our designers recommended a mix of black and white trim throughout, sticking with the neutral accents. The front porch columns we used for the portico and balcony support (literally) the historic vibe, while the ones we used beneath the siding section have a more modern essence. We used this juxtaposition to bridge the two design styles for a stand-out aesthetic.
Go for a bold palette
One of our favorite ways to make historic homes stand out is by embracing bold color palettes. This exterior covers a lot of real estate, and we wanted to highlight all of its beautiful features. For the siding, we used a lovely navy blue paint color, complementing it with a pale yellow front door. Creating crisp contrast, our designers used bright white trim. Here, the bright white accentuates the elements that give this home character, from the gingerbread railing and brackets on the porch columns to the shake siding on the peak above the entry and the cupola.
Accentuate architecture
Historic homes are known for their unique architecture, from Victorians and Queen Annes to Cape Cods and Greek Revivals. When infusing these homes with a modern flare, our designers like to call attention to their stand-out architectural features. We appreciated the windows throughout this design, so we created contrast with dark window trim, making them pop against the light, peachy exterior. We also wanted to draw the eye to the arched openings of the patio, so we accentuated with tall, broad-leafed plants, a wide, tiled walkway, and landscape lighting.
Lean into landscaping
Landscaping is a powerful bridge between historic charm and modern aesthetics, setting the tone for a cohesive design. By combining traditional elements like luscious hydrangeas or brick walkways and stairs with contemporary landscaping trends like carved-out beds, sleek water features, or outdoor lighting, you can create a seamless blend of old and new. Thoughtful plant selections, structured hedges, and clean-lined hardscapes not only enhance curb appeal but also provide a functional and stylish transition from the home’s architecture to its surrounding environment.
At brick&batten, we offer packages to suit every design need. Schedule a free consultation to explore your options and find the perfect fit! Whether you’re looking for a simple paint visualizer service to see your home in a new color or an in-depth experience with 1:1 consulting, we’ve got a package that aligns with your goals.
Complement the palette with accents
Black-and-white palettes are timeless — whether you’re after a classic vibe or a sleek, modern look, black-and-white is a good go-to. For this historic home, we kept the palette simple using a warm white for the brick, black for the trim, and subtle wood accents complemented by copper gutters and light fixtures. The exterior showcases plenty of historical charm with those elements, so our designers wanted to accentuate with modern pieces.
Flanking the front door, we added sleek black planters. To the left of the entry, our designers added a seating space, using chairs that tie in both the wood and black elements used to accentuate the exterior throughout. We even incorporated modern black house numbers to drive home the cohesive approach.
Dare to be daring
When it comes to historic homes, we see a lot of light paint colors and fun color schemes, but sometimes a bold, black house exterior is the key to a modern spin. For this house, we not only used black for the siding, we also used it on the railing, trim, soffit, fascia, and porch columns. We incorporated some dark gray trim around the upper-level windows and the front door for subtle contrast, keeping the aesthetic daring and dramatic.
Looking for exterior designers near you? Brick&batten’s exterior design services team is ready to work with you one-on-one to create a stunning new look for your home.
Amp up the contrast
The charm of this historic home is seemingly endless, from the beautiful stone and light fixtures to the door awnings and the adorable arched entry door. Our designers infused a modern flare with the landscaping, using a mix of eclectic black planters to complement the unique architecture of the house. We opted for bright white vertical siding as a secondary cladding, creating sharp contrast that draws the eye. Keeping the design cohesive, we used the same awning style on both exterior doors and embraced the same muted sage shade for the doors. We also added white chairs near the entrance, tying in with the white siding.
Mix classic elements with modern touches
This design highlights some of our favorite classic elements, from the shutters and portico to the hanging lanterns and castle-esque front door. We added a modern spin with the sleek black planters, deep gray stucco, and smooth pavers on the steps. We also incorporated uniform landscaping to give this exterior a crisp, clean look.
Achieve a modern rustic feel
Our brick&batten designers are experts at joining together different design styles. (Not sure what design style fits you best? Take our style quiz to find out!) Historic homes don’t have to be pigeon-holed. This homeowner wanted to give their historic home a modern rustic feel, so we used black vertical siding, accentuated with wood siding on the top level. We tied everything together with sleek black and wood accents throughout, keeping the aesthetic intentional.
Mix materials for dimension
Historic homes often make use of multiple exterior materials, creating dynamic aesthetics. For this home, we took a modern approach to combining textures, using different shades of gray for the brick, siding, and stone on the exterior. We embraced sleek stone pavers for the walkway and patio, creating contrast among the smooth concrete driveway. We also drew the eye to the intricate roofline by switching up the cladding on the gables and dormers.
The rest is history
Blending modern design with historic charm is all about balance. Preserve what makes the home unique. Add modern touches that complement, not compete. Focus on color, materials, and texture. Let the architecture guide your choices. A thoughtful design honors the past while embracing the present. The result is timeless, functional, and full of character, and our designers can help you acheive that balance.
Ready to ramp up your home’s curb appeal? We’re here to help! Take the plunge and work with our designers to manifest your design dreams. Get started!
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