October 21, 2013
Dressing Up the Front
We had long felt that our house was missing something in the front. It had many lovely details, but the front porch was a bit bare. So we asked our architect, David Whitney, to work up some options for a railing (or balustrade). Here are the four options he came back with.
Personally I liked the way the Geometric scheme picked up the angles of the house, but I was overruled. We went with the flat stock profiles, and handed the design over to Tom and Norm to take a crack at making them on site.
Here's a photo of them cuting the balusters with a template that Tom made. (Photo courtesy of Tom's Twitter feed.)
And here is what they look like in place on the porch.
Soon they'll be painted and look like they've always been part of the house. We couldn't be happier with the result!
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Comment on this BlogWe have a 183 year old colonial on the Hudson River in upstate N.Y. We are wondering how one gets considered for a This Old House renovation. You must have many requests. We have been watching the since Bob Vila was host. We have inherited the house. LOVE the show!
I could not really see the flat stock profile in the drawing but the photo shows all the details and I love it.
We are doing up our place in London at the moment and next year will probably tackle the front of our house. Great idea to get an architect to have a look. There was once a programme over here which Uk property guru Sarah Beeny did where she made over the facade of a whole street...it was a game changer! Totally unbelievable.
Anyway...good luck. Looking forward to after pics...
Melanie
Pebbledashed.pad.wordpress.com
I, too, liked the geometric pattern as it allows a more light to enter the landing... AND affords an architectural flair that is different but not obtrusive to the rest of the exterior motifs. It also breaks the ubiquitous vertical/horizontal lines of the exterior, bringing the eye toward the main entryway.
Too bad it wasn't allowed. Saving the architectural origins of a house is one thing, but allowing a little innovative design (by the owner) makes great architecture and point of interest for future conversations.
I haven't been able to learn why such a decision was made, as the program won't be televised until 2014, but I respect the decision of the architect, designer, local ordinance, etc. I just wish some of these owners were allowed to put a little (non-outlandish) personal detail onto THEIR homes which they are paying for.
Yep, the flat stock profiles were the way to go! Nice
Claudia Kubisch, I'm not sure you want this crew anywhere near your historic home because once they finish you'll be left with nothing more than a historic shell as they love to gut historic structures.
to Marrero ,
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Why are there side light panels next to the door? I was taught for safety reasons you shoud not have these, All someone has to do is break glass and open door. I know there is a security systm, but......