Replies

1. 
   CAGIV | May 23, 2004 07:56am | #1

   Hardi lap with 6" reveal instead of the 12" lap it appears you got there, two tone paint instead of the boring white on everything..

   and that screened porch needs some re-design.

   edit..

   oh yeah, front porch nees some different colums, somethign more substantial, and those "shuttters"... gone

   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/23/2004 12:57 am ET by CAG

1. 
   tuffy | May 23, 2004 09:58am | #2

   Everything CAG said.

   Further than that, it depends on where you really want to go with it.  As it is, it's sort of a quasi-Colonial Revival, but it's mostly just weak and generic.  It could use some decisive reworking.

   There's no easy way to make it more authentically Georgian, but one could at least develop it into a much stronger, more pleasing version of Colonial Revival.  Replace those Victorian porch columns with proper Tuscan or Doric.  Enclose the screened porch in a manner that emulates a proper colonnade, or glass it in.  I'm not ususally one for painting brick, but for this house I might consider it.  I hate the way the eaves are done--screams "tract house," but you're kind of stuck with 'em.  Find an enclave of handsome depression-era homes of that style in your area and appropriate the best ideas.

   This house could also be reworked into a reasonably convincing Arts & Crafts bungalow.  Cover the upper storey with cedar shingles in the manner of the Green Bros.  Maybe with staggered reveals.  Boxed columns.  Paint it in earth tones. 

   With a greater investment, it could be made into Prairie Style.  Replace the windows with Wrightian casements.  Maybe use stucco instead of lap siding.  Use wood trim to create continuous stringcourses at the top and bottom of the windows.  Modify the gable roof into a hip, and replace the shingles with copper.

   Just don't try to make it Victorian.  A pet peeve of mine.  Victorian seems to be very difficult to pull off authentically or convincingly--most people just end up with cutesy, ahistorical dollhouses.

1. 
   KarlK | May 23, 2004 01:20pm | #3

   Great ideas!  Arts and Crafts would fit the neighborhood better than Prairie.  I hate the eaves too.  Would boxing out the 2nd story windows help?  All of the current detail (or lack thereof) will go- I thought about bumping out part of the porch wall to create an alcove/window seat.  That would bring the windows out of the dark and turn the formal dining rm. into an "away" room.  It would shorten that long, narrow porch.  What about some sort of arbor in front?  The front wall of the screen porch could be set back about 5 feet, creating an open porch with cols. to match the entry, It would break up that long flat expanse. I'm open to expanding my budget somewhat if required to pull off something nice.

   Karl K 

2. 
   IronHelix | May 23, 2004 01:38pm | #4

   Consider bumping out a front porch with a gable end  facing the front and arts/crafts columns and wide steps and an inviting sidewalk design.  

   Additional A&C details to the upper story. Steal some visuals from some of the taunton books and back issues.

   Pull all that landscape stuff out of there....looks unkept, root bound, scraggly and not suited for the heavily shaded environment.

   The screen porch, as suggested,  is visually obnoxious. Modify.

   Do you draw/draft?   Basic scaled elevations would allow you to play with ideas and pleasing proportions....costs so little.   

   For my clients that are spatially inept I often build cardboard models with hot glue and spray paint in 1/2" scale.  It really hits the spot for many folks visualizations.

   Good luck.............Iron Helix

3. 
   Piffin | May 23, 2004 08:38pm | #5

   The siding would change to 4" exposure clapboards ( even vinyl would be better than what is on it now) and the porch posts would become Tuscan columns.

   The same column would be repeated for the screened porch with a classical railing run between. Take a look at the Fypon catalouge for inspiration.

   A standing seam copper roof would do wonders for it, but a loweer budget would call for architectural shingles or cedars.

   I'm sure you must be planning a companion thread for the interior - or have I already missed it?

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!