How can I find ID on style of my house?

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!

That is a cute house! Check this out: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~twp/architecture/ Can't wait to see what she looks like with her new 'do!

This message was edited Apr 29, 2004 1:42 AM

I think the only thing you need to do is get rid of the porch.
Does the facia on the addition run behind that porch?
Whoever added on at least used the same style. I would just paint everything, then take a look. I think you will like it as is without any added features.
Bernie

I would probably throw it in the Craftsman/Bungalow style. As you already know, scraping is the worst part of the job, but spending the time to do it right will make your new paint stick a whole lot better and longer!

Is the porch open on three sides, or is it enclosed? If it's open, can you knock out the triangle area just under the roofline and make it look more like an arbor? I think you might be able to play it up (and it is nice to have a place to stand out of the rain while you're fumbling for your keys ;o)

That is a really cute house, and I bet the colors you have chosen will look great. If it was me ( not always rational) I would complete the painting, step back and see if it pleased me. That's the most important thing, and if anybody asks just say it's "My Style"!

GARDENWIFE, you have made my day! That website is awsome. I have a love affair with buildings of all types and this site is going on my "favorite places". But I don't think you'll ever top the basket building (LOL)

MOMMYDI, just a thought. If you know someone that has CAD they could draw up your different options and let you see what they would look like.

Countrygardens, the porch and the office (addition) share the same roof line on the north/right side but have their own south/left side starting at the peak of the porch. I bet the porch could be sliced off easily and rebuilt (maybe to fit the steps?)

Terry, the porch is open on each side. It has screens that fit on those sides but I took them down to open it up more. My DH put up little "window boxes" for me on each side. I hadn't thought about punching out the triangle (we have two lights one above steps and one in front of door) but I had thought of enhancing those columns, either by stripping and staining to match door or (deep breath!) doing a mosaic tile climbing rose pattern on each side. In addition, I was thinking about adding some simple gingerbread (what are they called??!) on the office/porch rooflines... but?

patischell, I'll have to see if anyone has CAD... but I wouldn't really know what to ask them to draw right now! I wouldn't mind an enclosed front porch, but we are already so close to the sidewalk due to the addition... and I do like the weather protection. But knowing to focus on Craftsman/Bungalow styles will help so much for ideas that will keep the style congruent.

I did find something fun however while I'm waiting on getting my house painted. I went to www.virtualpainting.net and "painted" my house! I selected the brand and color of my paint and just followed the instructions... I don't know if the colors are 100% true but it's close! So do you think my neighbors will picket me?

Mommydi, yours is one of the sweetest little houses!

Remembering the kind of work they do on that HGTV program, "Curb Appeal," I can just imagine it with fresh paint, a windowbox under the double windows, and several terra cotta pots of geraniums on the steps.

I'll bet you are going to have SUCH fun with that cute little house!

It never occured to me to put a window box under the office window! I have one on each side of the porch but I've not thought of in front of the windows because they are all painted shut. But I could reach it easily in front of the office window. It's easy for me to keep tabs on the water needs of the ones by the porch because I see them 20 times/day!

Would adding another window box be too much visually? Or just have one under the windows... (I really like that idea!!)

Our "little" house has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, office, living room, dining room, laundry room, and big kitchen... surprise! Here is the backside of the house -- rebuilding the laundry room is one of our next projects!

Of course it ALL needs work... kitchen cupboards from 20's, 70s paneling in main rooms, some idiot painted over the some of the hard wood floors and the window and door moldings (no apologies to idiots out there! one of my pet peeves!) For the last 20 years or so, remodel projects were done mickeymouse... my husband has not been impressed!

But it's a labor of love! I go to church with the boy who grew up here -- his parents owned the house from 1928 - 1963 or so. Of course, he's a grandpa now but he has come over and told me about his dad digging out the cellar bucket by bucket, it was only $2000 to put up the second floor, where the chicken coop was and the outhouse...!!

Oh my! Even MORE delightful!

I like a house with "surprises" -- looks like such a cute LITTLE cottage/dollhouse in front, but you have all that room in back! Really nice.

Jean

Mr. Stone (who grew up here) told me that originally our house and the one next door were exactly the same floor plan at one time. Lots of changes to mine! Very few next door...

I love it! I'd put some nice contrasting paint on the trim to define your home's nice lines.

The base is called "Wild Rasberry" and the trim is called "Iris Mauve" (both from Valspar Historic pallette). It doesn't show on the virtual painting picture very well but the chips seem to have a good contrast. Do you think I should add another color for trim? What would you suggest? Where should I put it?

I've been looking at bungalow pictures and it shows the gables (I think that's what they are called!) having elbow braces (again, I think!), and they were a different color as well. Another project for me is to scrape and strip the wooden screens and stain them (which wood? I don't know!) so they will match the house no matter what color we paint it! Right now I have light blue AND forest green screens!

Maybe a light cream on the windows? Somethiing to break up the dark and draw attention to the details.