Dear Homework,
Our recent landscaping projects have not resulted in the impact we were hoping for.Do you have any ideas about how to bring out the Southern charm we feel is possible in our home?
—From ‘Oh Well’ to ‘Southern Belle’
Dear From ‘Oh Well’ to ‘Southern Belle,’
Your house has great architectural detail and presence. It seems to sail along the hilltop like a stately ocean liner of old. Nevertheless, I think there are a few improvements that would give it even greater impact and the Southern charm you would like.
First, painting the clapboard siding a darker gray will have the effect of showing off your home’s unique details, such as the iconic pilasters, in greater relief, making them pop.
As far as the landscaping goes, your existing landscape efforts just need a little time to mature. At the moment, all the planting looks very small due to the fact that the house itself is so large, therefore anything you might plant will probably look the same for a while.
To achieve your desired effect, I would add a magnolia tree on each side of the main portion of the façade. This will frame the elevation nicely and also block the view of the side wings, which are not of quite the same quality as the center section of the residence. Next, I would plant numerous azaleas in a variety of colors to further enhance the feeling of Southern charm.
Hope that helps,
—Homework
[Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, Founding Partner of the Lawrence Group. If you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com]
