Dear Homework,
I live in a cottage in historic downtown St. Charles, and I am considering putting an addition on the house. My first thought was to add to the back of the house, but I wonder if I can improve the home’s rather humble appearance if I add to the front. I’ve never dreamed this could be a great-looking house, but maybe you could work some magic.
Sincerely,
Looking for a Christmas Miracle
Dear Looking for a Christmas Miracle,
I always think there is room for improvement, and in this case, adding to the left side of the façade could have a really big impact. Even a small addition does away with the ‘shotgun’ feel and brings a new dose of dignity. A cute dormer window also helps make the house seem bigger.
Other impactful changes include adding details like shutters, brackets, flower boxes and a new front door. Painting it all a more adventurous color scheme also would add heaps of charm.
Finally, by removing the little parking area, you could create a more substantial-looking front yard. Planting a low row of contiguous evergreens will draw the eye across the new composition, making the façade feel as wide as possible. I don’t know if this is a miracle, but it does look a lot better.
Happy Holidays,
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.