Dear Homework,
Hope you’re up for a challenge! We would like to upgrade this four-family building, but haven’t a clue where to start. There seems so little to work with. We are open to any suggestions apart from outright demolition. Looking forward to your ideas.
Sincerely,
—Out of Ideas
Dear Out of Ideas,
This one is indeed a challenge. I am going to suggest a dozen fairly simple things you could do that would totally transform this seemingly unpromising property. You probably don’t need to do all of them, but to have a significant impact, you’d have to do many of them.
To begin with, you could paint the brick. In this case, I would not paint the brick strips that I have left red to give the façade a sense of detail it currently lacks. The next most impactful change would be to add striped canvas awnings to the lower level windows. Note that I have made those windows French doors with Juliet iron balconies. These doors, like many other elements on the façade, have been painted a dark brown to give a bit of elegant contrast to the composition.
I also show a new, wide, stone door surround at the entry, which includes changes to the window above. New iron lanterns and urns brimming with color now create an entry feature large enough for the size of the façade. You also will observe that I’ve introduced an ‘x’ motif on the entry door, iron balconies, and attic vent. They work with the other changes to impart a mild Art Deco feel to the property. Landscape changes reinforce the symmetry of the scheme and block views to the neighboring homes. Round stone orbs at the roof parapet complete the changes.
Hopefully you can use some of these ideas.
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.
