Dear Homework,
We recently purchased a home that is 83 years young. I named her Iris and am committed to elevating her to her previous glory. She has incredible bones but has been neglected for quite some time. We have redone the plumbing, electric, floors and more, so our budget has been stretched to the max, but we really want to improve the façade. I feel as if the columns were added later as an afterthought. They don’t seem to connect with the country French/English look. I love to garden, so I am anxious to bring some color to this grand lady.
Sincerely,
—Revival for the Lady Iris
Dear Revival for the Lady Iris,
I’m glad that you recognize the ‘good bones’ your house already possesses, but I would identify the underlying style as Dutch Colonial Revival. Therefore, I have chosen new details that intensify the characteristics of that style. I have removed the existing columned porch, which was too heavy and the wrong style. Instead, a bracketed, arched overhang with an adjacent Amish settee take the home back to its rural Pennsylvania roots. New slate green shutters with hinges and tiebacks pair with window boxes to add supporting details. The existing trees frame the house well, so I just allowed the minor plantings to grow together for a more continuous look. Colorful beds of iris border the front walk in honor of the home’s new nickname. A new stone ‘arrival pad,’ aligned with the façade, gives a sense of elegance to the asphalt circle drive. Not only is Iris rejuvenated, I would guess she’s never looked better.
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.
