Dear Homework,
For the front of our home, we have considered a portico, dormers, adding a front porch, painting the brick and more to add character. Basically, we have no idea what to do. We love the inside and back portion of the home, but the front (while pleasant) needs something. Please advise!
Sincerely,
—Midcentury Meh
Dear Midcentury Meh,
I think you are right in your overall assessment of your home, but all things being equal, ‘pleasant’ is a pretty good place to start. We can take the somewhat bland but symmetrical façade and turn it into something more memorable.
I would first observe that the windows seem under-scaled for the home, giving it a rather closed/uninviting feel. It is nicely framed with mature, deciduous trees, although I would remove the shade tree to the right of the front door for safety reasons. And, it would be in conflict with the dramatic, new, copper-roofed, angled bay windows that give the façade both more dimension and the open/welcome feel you desire.
The bays also will add great space inside. Other architectural changes include wider shutters (with hinges and tie-backs) and much larger and relocated carriage lamps. Also note that the brick has been white-washed, and there is new color on the shutters and front door.
The new landscape additions show a pair of straight, low hedges linked by a curved one at the entry. Big, boldly planted urns frame the original front door case, giving it added scale and importance. The existing corner landscape uplights are retained and augmented by the new carriage lights. The new bay windows act as giant lanterns, as well as offer a striking nighttime effect.
It now looks how this house was always meant to look.
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.
