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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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Orkblork
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 64
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 Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Dick --
I don't see an attachment to your posting. Have I missed it or did you forget to attach it?
Orkblork
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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When I was 12, I was given a new bicycle. it was a very nice and neat British 3-speed (when those were few and far between, in a New York suburb) and it did everything I could have asked of it, for a bicycle. It was black, with some gold pinstriping, and quite tidy.
Somehow, I began thinking that I could DO something to it; even though it was (essentially) perfect, it. . .needed. . .something. My brother was then in a phase of assembling plastic models of war-planes, so that he and his buddy could blow them up with cherry-bombs or set them on fire (they were currently watching every war movie that appeared on TV). As my brother had no use for the little decals that were provided to decorate the planes, I seized on these as a way to. . improve. . .my bicycle.
Almost as soon as I had done the deed -- as neatly as I could -- the desire to. . .DO something. . .faded, and was replaced by the feeling that I had not improved the bike at all, but instead that it was somehow a little. . .less. . .than it had been. Its purity had been lost, and for what ?
I couldn't remove the decals -- they were really ON there ! Ironically, one of them slipped out of line all by itself, a little while later, after standing in the rain. But for as long as I had that bike, my hasty impulse to "improve" it stared back at me, silently mocking my vanity.
SDR
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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All right -- let's see that picture.
A house of this type built in 1932 has a chance of being quite decent. Too bad the wood is covered -- you shouldn't paint vinyl, as you say. Is the front door the original ? Keep it, and the hardware; you won't find better today. Is it a six-panel ? Four little lites (panes) at the top ? It doesn't want leaded crystal (that's for town houses in Louisburg Square). If you can find "bullet" glass (with the lens-like bulge in the center) that's a permissable upgrade.
No new overscaled railings. No shiny fixtures from Home Depot -- find some restrained carriage lanterns in a dull finish. If you must have shutters, find simple louver-slatted ones or the two-boards-with-a-heart-in-the-middle, sized and hung SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY COULD ACTUALLY CLOSE OVER THE WINDOWS. (Sorry -- Cheesecake Colonial makes me see red.)
The old Capes along 6-A on Cape Cod are the ones to emulate; the best are humble and unassuming, but beautifully proportioned, and surrounded by trees and shrubs that are large, simple in shape and quiet. Their trim is either dark green or black. Nothing on them looks new, including the doorknobs and house numbers. The people who live there are the only Yankees that are worth impressing, or whose opinion of you could matter.
What is your roof made of ? Staining of a new cedar roof may be natural. A white-cedar roof looks good new, and better old. The only concession to (impractical) beauty, in my opinion, would be to remove the storm door, at least in summer. A big pair of ceramic vases, on either side of the door, would be a nice finishing touch. These days, they should probably be bolted or chained to the porch.
Do nothing immediately; wait for Spring (the neighbors won't think you're a slaggard for "neglecting" the house). Look at the landscaping options, after scouting out the best-looking mature examples in the area. Flowering trees or shrubbery are nice. Get some advice. Keep it simple.
SDR
_________________
"I'm the commander . . . see, I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation." GWB |
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:26 am Post subject: Picture and........... |
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Thanks for the comments. I'm stumped on the picture. I "attached" and it showed up for me. I'll try once more with this message and if it doesn't come through please let me know what I might be doing wrong. My first time on this site.
Sorry about the bike, SDR. The only thing I added to mine were removable cards and cardboard that made it sound like a motorcycle. And I do accept that anything I might add to this little "Plain Jane" house would also be removable.
Is the front door the original ?
Yes.
The hardware? Yes, but worn, like the doorknob is really worn.
Is it a six-panel ? No, one large window at top and a few panels underneath.
No new overscaled railings.
I agree. Small ones. Hopefully the picture will show and you'll getr a better idea.
No shiny fixtures from Home Depot -- find some restrained carriage lanterns in a dull finish.
I agree again. Some dull matte, burnished silver type.
If you must have shutters, find simple louver-slatted ones or the two-boards-with-a-heart-in-the-middle, sized and hung SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY COULD ACTUALLY CLOSE OVER THE WINDOWS.
Also agree. Simple louvered ones. I really don't like the heart cut outs.
The old Capes along 6-A on Cape Cod are the ones to emulate; the best are humble and unassuming, but beautifully proportioned, and surrounded by trees and shrubs that are large, simple in shape and quiet. Their trim is either dark green or black. Nothing on them looks new, including the doorknobs and house numbers. The people who live there are the only Yankees that are worth impressing, or whose opinion of you could matter.
I love Cape Cod. Been there at least once a year for the past 50. Unfortunately mine is a bit too plain. It's been in the original family since it was built. The current owner - same family - has been renting it out for about 20 years. Kept immaculate care but NO frills. Right now two holly bushes, one on each side of porch. The proper landscaping won't take effect until I'm six feet under. (I was born in the Depression.) So I would like to enjoy a bit quicker fix.
What is your roof made of ?
Typical asphalt shingles.
The only concession to (impractical) beauty, in my opinion, would be to remove the storm door.
That is definitely one of the first things to be done. It's an ugly aluminum one.
A big pair of ceramic vases, on either side of the door, would be a nice finishing touch.
I happen to have two of those. But the door is not centered on the porch.
These days, they should probably be bolted or chained to the porch.
Not really in this neighborhood, except for the possible Halloween pranksters.
HOPING the picture takes this time for all to see. I'm sure you will agree that it's really a bit too plain and simple.
Again, thanks for the replies.
Slight problem here. Below it says, "Attachment Posting Control Panel
If you click on Add an Attachment, you will see the box for adding Attachments.
When I do that it takes me back to sign in again.
If you click on Posted Attachments, you will see a list of already attached Files and you are able to edit them.
I don't see Posted Attachment box.
So I'm posting this message and will come back to add an attachment.
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:03 am Post subject: |
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Trying a direct picture post.
<img src=http://members.aol.com/dickrreed/Burton.jpg>
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:05 am Post subject: |
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How about a link?
Click here.
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:31 am Post subject: |
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If I may:
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:36 am Post subject: |
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The protocol is :
So. . .I see what you mean. The situation is not quite as I imagined it to be. I'll give it some thought.
SDR
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I am sure that you have not abandoned me. And now you know what I mean when I say plain and simple. REALLY P&S.
Besides grass, two holly shrubs and one trimmed yew on each side of the garage door the propery has NO landscaping.
Don't misunderstand one thing, however. That is not a road in front of the house. It's a shared driveway for two houses then splits left and right to each house's garage(s). And that is almost at the end of a dead end street.
Front to back the lot is small, about 60 feet, but four times that in length going up a hill. I will have fun with landscaping come spring, but the house is not exactly tucked away behind a picket fence. <;^)
It is also one of the oldest on the street, is the smallest and is what one gets in this area under $300,000.
The absolute main reason why I am buying is because my son lives across the street, wants me close by where he can "keep and eye on me," and has promised to do all necessary maintenance including mowing and plowing.
I'm sure he also would love to inherit and use as an income property.
HELP, please.
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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Okay -- I'm retreating from my previous "historically correct" position -- you have my "permission" to do whatever you think will breathe some life into this puppy.
To my way of thinking, dressing this girl up in frills and finery -- dentils, brackets, a decorative barge board, fluted porch columns, etc --isn't going to make her into a princess; she'll just look a bit silly in the neighborhood. The roof stains? At least they're balanced; I doubt you'll fix that short of re-roofing. Any warranty ?
The basic proportions aren't bad; the asymmetry of all the openings, contrasting with a completely symmetrical basic form, is a little odd, but can leave us with a pleasant informality in the end. (Another reason to avoid classical detail.) The high roof is a given, and the porch roof balances it okay, but the big square of the porch opening needs help.
You had it right; spindled railing. A spindled rail extending about 60% of the distance from the left porch post, with a simple post (that will have to be well anchored to the porch floor framing) with a square cap. Matching rails connecting the corner posts to the house walls; maybe one at the side porch as well ? Spindles 1 1/4" square, spaced 1 1/4" ? Nice and neat; not to "thin." Brings down the focus, improves the scale.
Green shutters ? Burgundy? Another color ? Your pick. Door to match. New hardware. White mailbox. All existing trim looks right to me; maybe a new front roof gutter that's a bit more prominent, without dropping the line very much: maybe a square profile so it catches more light. DON'T hang anything on the porch posts; a pair of wall lanterns could be spaced equally from the centerline, under the porch roof -- or bracketing the door. Or a single one centered ?
Then, pair the two hollys together under the left windows, and bring in something bigger, out a little way from the front right corner of the house -- hydrangea ? A multi-trunked dogwood ? Ground cover on either side of the porch. Done. I'll draw a picture.
SDR
_________________
"I'm the commander . . . see, I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation." GWB |
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Dick
Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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AHHHH! A picture is worth a million words.
For the shutters I am leaning towards red. The house directly across the street has green ones. No red shutters on the street. Some white houses have black shutters. But I believe that dark red will make the house look even smaller and I don't intend to go to pink. Maybe a medium to dark blue. Will probably buy two or three choices, prop them up and exchange the ones I don't like.
The door has a half light with one horizontal panel and two vertical ones underneath. The window glass is original and just plain glass. Though it does have the waves in it indicative of old glass, it's not antique. The thought was to put a very casual leaded glass in it which might help match two porch lights in whatever that silvery burnished material is. Perhaps add a touch of subtle decoration?
Thinking about something to make the front LOOK a bit larger brought many wild ideas. How to balance the two small windows (kitchen) on the left with the longer (living room) window on the right did not light any bulbs in my head. I considered using the long shutters on both and putting something under the short ones to balance. Your idea of the two hollys under the small windows is by far the best yet.
The spindles perhaps should be the turned decorative ones, painted white, of course. Spaced about 4 or 5" apart.
The suggestion on a plant/tree on the right corner is excellent. Perhaps a cut leaf Japanese maple - red. Not spreading, but the type that will reach 20' or so after my soul has departed the premises. It will have to be about 5 or 6' to start. Perhaps some 3 or 4' tall shrubs, plants, from the side porch along the walk to the garage will carry the eye further.
No, no dentil molding or anything too decorative. I can't picture what you mean by a different gutter, however.
A picture would be great.
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SDR
millennium club
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:11 pm Post subject: |
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Pretty rough -- and not based on your new ideas. Will modify with options.
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