Dear Homework,
My family bought this incredibly outdated 1928 Maritz and Young house in October. We are wrapping up our interior renovation and turning our attention to the front. I’m considering removing the shutters and adding a Juliet balcony over the front door, bilateral trees by the front door, and maybe a circle drive. The front door is being restored and will be black. I cannot wait to hear what you think!
Sincerely,
—Good Starting Point
Dear Good Starting Point,
To begin with, I think this is a very good-looking house. Maritz and Young were among the finest St. Louis architects of that ‘classic’ era. Second, I’ve looked at your house without the shutters (by photocopying the image and whiting out the existing shutters), and I think it looks too stark without them. All the dark windows against the white painted brick (which I like) look too small.
Instead, I’ve chosen to give the property an elegant cottage feel. I have added a circle driveway (although I would need to check to see if it is drivable). I think it makes the house look a good deal grander and guess that it would make life easier considering the single-car garage.
I also have added a gated wing wall to the left to stretch out the façade, and I suggest a charming garden beyond. I have painted the wooden gate and the arched garage door the bright, dark green of the shutters to distribute this color throughout the façade. I think the color helps connect the façade to the landscape.
All the existing plantings have been removed and new, low evergreen hedges underscore the façade and will help hide the cars on the drive. A variety of tall evergreens have been planted at the side property lines to help distance the adjacent homes. I’ve added a flower box above the front door (which will be easier than the Juliet balcony) and additional flowers at the new wing walls.
I feel that the new look is both more inviting, and at the same time, more elegant. With a good starting point, a great ultimate destination is not that far away.
—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.
