General Discussion & Chat: How can I find ID on style of my house?, 1 by mommydi

mommydi wrote:
My house was originally built in 1908 and has since been expanded up, down, and in each direction... I love the fact that it is old and really would like to enhance that part of it. However, I don't know which "style" to enhance/follow!

I keep thinking that if I add gingerbread or Victorian colors, then it would look like a house in drag! I already bought paint for it (my kids refer to it as pink and purple but it's more burgandy and mauve). I think that my style of gardening (eclectic, informal, kind of "cottage") won't conflict with the old style--but I'm not sure!

It just seems that when I read up on styles or look for hardware, they refer to specific styles of homes and I don't know what mine is.

I know this is a garden forum but everyone has so impressed me with their wide ranges of knowledge that I hoped maybe someone might have a bit of an idea of what I'm talking about!

The picture is of the front of the house. The windows on the far left and right are the from the original "footprint" of the house. (Window on right has original glass I think, and the top pane has a lace design!) The part that sticks out is the "office" that was added on in the 60s, I think. The front "porch" looks like a "wart", in my opinion, so I'm trying to come up with ideas to help it blend with the rest of the house and front yard. Obviously we are in the stages of repainting the house and have finished (does anyone EVER finish?) scraping but not yet painted. (A DIY nightmare!)

THANK YOU!