Dear Homework,
My wife and I are considering downsizing into a rental home we own, but we’d want it to look much more appealing than it does now. A new roof is one possible improvement, but we would like you to suggest others.
Thank you for your ideas,
—Hoping to Upgrade before Downsizing
Dear Hoping to Upgrade before Downsizing,
Lengthening the bedroom windows, upgrading the garage door and completely rebuilding the carport add more elegant features that complement the new central composition. The landscaping can also be a big help here. The large, poorly shaped tree needs to go. The existing driveway needs to be landscaped so it blends better with the rest of the front yard. Additionally, by incorporating the mailbox into a low stone wall and adding border hedges and ‘street trees,’ your downsizing can feel upmarket. Hope you like the changes.
Architecturally, there needs to be more emphasis around the entry. Currently the front porch hides the front door and living room window. Let’s over-frame a new front-facing gable to draw the eye to the center of the house and top it with a dramatic glass cupola.
—Homework
[Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, president, The Lawrence Group. If you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com]