Dear Homework,
Our home is 30 years old and starting to look its age. The landscape is overgrown, there is a wobbly retaining wall and it looks sun-washed. We face west, so the sun beats down on our door every afternoon. While we love the traditional style of the home, it’s time for a face-lift. We’re thinking a front porch may help. Any and all recommendations are appreciated.
Sincerely, Blinded by the Light
Dear Blinded by the Light,
Today, we tend to take the architecture of our upper-end, traditional homes a bit more seriously than we did 30 years ago. The designers of your house just gave up too quickly, which gives it a bland, slightly unfinished feel. But it can be easily updated.
I will take you up on your porch suggestion, which will give new dimension to the rather flat façade. I also would add a new pediment to the roofline to bring further emphasis to the center of the composition. Now the presentation has the ‘umph’ it was lacking.
Small details like arched shutters for the arched windows and adding hinges and tiebacks give the house a more ‘carefully detailed’ feel. Also, notice that the ‘ears’ on the lower fascia of the garage (a builder favorite) have been removed.
The landscape upgrades start with a new entry to the sidewalk, accented with a large flower urn centered on the front door. New, low yew hedges are finished with tall, upright evergreens to give an additional layer of ‘green architecture’ to the composition. The resulting ensemble has a new presence that previously was lacking. Hopefully this sheds a more helpful light on the situation.
Thanks for asking,
—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.
