Entry Introductions

Archeologists might someday attribute the decline of a once-great civilization to the overabundance of typical suburban builder homes - featuring peculiar two story grand entryways, that were never used.
Of course this is a joke, but there is certainly no shortage of pasted-on two-story entry facades in our culture, stemming from the discovery of this cheap eye-catcher sometime in the seventies. Providing neither shelter or shade, they have no historical counterpart short of Hadrian's villa, but perhaps fill the need for an icon denoting "front door." We have lost sight of other more gracious ways to enter a home.
We abandoned our love for the front porch as we embraced the automobile and air conditioning. The front garden disappeared when Mom went to work, leaving no real use for picket fences or garden gates. Nonetheless these can be interesting and engaging visual features on the front of a home to distinguish the entrance and provide a nostalgic and endearing welcome. Landscaping should project toward the street, not just hide the bottom of the house.
Today most folks enter into houses through the garage or some back door, which is fine, but not delightful. Builders often fail to provide a useful walkway or anywhere to park at the front of the house, so visitors pull up to the garage doors for their first impression. This is a common problem and providing a small turnaround or pull-off space for cars at the front yard can often solve it. Adding an inviting walkway, gates, lamp-posts, arbors, trellises etc. goes a long way toward giving the home personality. Even if it's only for the trick-or-treaters and the UPS man, the proper entry introduction can make a huge statement in an ordinary subdivision.



This article was originally printed in "Remodeling" magazine published by Hanley Wood - October, 2006

Emphasize The Windows

Whether for a spec remodeling or a private commission, adding the right emphasis at the windows always adds to the curb appeal, resale value, and customer satisfaction.

	Starter House:
	. Here's the typical 50s starter house built for the postwar boom. It's the classic Cape Cod / Bungalow / Box. . It looks inexpensive because it was meant to be. . Details and construction were kept as simple as possible. . Appearance lacks focus, interest & character.

	Window Bump-out:
	. The existing windows can be removed and re-mounted up to a foot from the wall - creating shelf or plant space at interior. . Adds shadows and textural interior at exterior . Requires little structural change. Existing headers remain. . Generally an inexpensive enhancement. If carefully done, the drywall and interior trim can remain.

The Bay Window:
. Relatively easy improvement. Package window assemblies are available. . Not much structural work required. Window manufacturers sell support brackets or wire cable hangers. . Always insulate the seat ledge and roof. . Enlarges the apparent space of the interior.

Dormers:
. Dormers are just another form of window bump-out. A little harder to build, they probably have the biggest impact. . Keep dormers looking plausible, even if there's only attic trusses behind them. Proportion to look as if there is a second story. Also, low slope roofs generally don't work well with dormers. If there were a living space up there, the roof would have been built more steeply.

Emphasis:

. Although windows have the greatest potential for enhancing a home's appearance, the front door should still retain its importance on the facade. Adding a roof or porch will restore focus and balance. . Shutters, trim and flower boxes are all more than decoration. Properly used they add texture, interest, and harmony to the buildings appearance. Think of them as design elements that allow you to compose the picture to create more interest and importance.

This article was originally printed in "Remodeling" magazine published by Hanley Wood - June, 2006