tell me about the windows that are there now......are they worth saving?

If you are getting new windows they should still have the same style that the old ones have. That's what makes the house so charming.

It turns out that historic windows are more energy efficient than modern double-pane replacements, when you look at the cradle to grave cost. If the original windows are still there, look for an expert to restore them, and consider Indow Windows inside for the winter to keep the house warm. Scroll down on this page for more info:
http://wadahp.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/preservation-month-poster-2010/

The windows that are there are rotted. I tried to attach a photo from the inspection report but I think it was secured. I will keep trying.

Start here. Scroll down the page.
http://wadahp.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/preservation-month-poster-2010/
Then google "historic window restoration." There is a tremendous amount that can be done to repair or reconstruct your original windows. Once they're gone, they're gone.

http://www.indowwindows.com/how_they_work.php?s=0
These can deal with the warmth issues.

When you replace historic windows, your home loses value as well as adding landfill to the environment.

You have a lovely house!!! Your yard is classic for the style & age of your home. This book is on the history of landscaping. It will give you excellent ideas and images, with a deeper understanding of what is precious about what you have.
http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/F/bo5926461.html

Good luck!
Fl!p

What a cute house! I would consider flowers for the front instead of shrubs... while shrubs are easier to maintain, they also tend to take over and obscure the house after a while. You may also want to consider painting the door - the door is beautiful, but is lost in the brick because it's too similar in color.

just remember that plants/shrubs offer a strong definition year round, that flowers will not afford when the snow returns.

FYI: it's all about balance. The major tree in the forground needs to be considered with the additional landscaping so I believe there should be some stronger plantings added to create balance

While bushes may make for stronger definition in the winter, they make a much more boring definition in the summer. Which looks better in the spring and summer: a bed full of tall, blooming flowers, or a boring green shrub? Even if you get an azalea, once the flowers are gone, it's back to boring, sedate green. No character for a character home.

well there is good taste and bad taste and NO taste, and differing definitions of each. This is a great house and deserves a well planned lawn. Several things should be considered here. Maintance, budget, personalities, environment. It would nbe nice to see an image of the house and lawn without the covering of snow.

We have a 1930s tudor...with new windows replaced by the last owner. Pros - by replacing the movable window parts, you are reducing a source of lead in indoor dust; also, they are much easier to clean inside & out, double pane is more secure (harder to break-in), and drafts are better controlled. Cons - I wish the last owners had chosen wood, not vinyl, although they did get the divided pane look. But, when you are replacing 30-40 windows, cost is an issue....

I would suggest the more traditional dark brown paint for your trim, with a lighter cream for the stucco. Consider adding working shutters to some of the window, painted in the same color as your trim. Can't tell what kind of roof you have - would suggest either a dark brown composite or a flat slate-colored tile roof. I love the window box suggestion. Finally, I would suggest stripping & refinishing your door - stain it - don't cover up that beautiful clear oak that is probably under there! You can't get that quality of wood anymore - show it off!

Is the door wood-finish? If so, don't paint it.
There is no conflict between shrubs & bulbs. Summer flowers in front of shrubs work very well.

It is difficult to tell about the landscaping and paint colors due to the snow covering the roof and ground. Maybe you have a more current photo? In any case, it doesn't appear to need much - already looks good. I would just use a mixture of taller evergreen plants near the foundation, and create bed space for some annual flowers in front of them. That way you can have things that bloom most of the year, if you desire. You can also amp up contrast and interest by mixing the tones of your perennials - dark purple loropetalum or red barberry; bright green or yellow shrubs; and some in dark green.

If you can possibly afford it, get real wood windows with expressed mullions (pane dividers) AT LEAST ON THE FRONT. Those vinyl windows with the dividers between the glass will RUIN the historic look of your home. White vinyl are the worst of all. Paint the windows to the dark trim color instead of white. That should be about all you need.

Here is another photo

Congratulation on the lovely new/old house! There are some great comments here already, particularly regarding windows but let me add that even though there is some rotted wood on the windows this type of damage is typically limited to small areas at the bottom rail of just a few of the window frames. If that is the case it might be unnecessary to replace them. A carpenter or window repair specialist can replace the bottom rail on select windows or use some of the excellent wood hardeners and fillers now available to fix the rotted areas. These repairs along with weather stripping, caulking and a coat of oil-based paint will give you the reliability and good appearance you expect without compromising the character of your house.

Is that your driveway on the right? If so I'd bet no one visiting your house will use the winding path that leads from the sidewalk to the front door except on Halloween. You could replace that walkway with one that leads straight from the front sidewalk along with a perpendicular walk leading over to the driveway. A red brick walk (laid over a bed of gravel and sand) would add character and color and with loose laid bricks you won't risk the unsightly cracking that is likely with a new concrete walk.

The big shrub in front of the picture window could be aggressively pruned (perhaps trimming as much as 50% of the foliage) so that it is more transparent instead of removing it. Big trees and shrubs can be one of the pleasures of buying an older house. Adding some landscaping, like beds of groundcover, low shrubbery and bulbs or other perennials at the front of your yard in the "tree lawn" and along the public sidewalk can make the house seem less remote and welcoming by shortening the depth of the expanse of lawn.

Mr. Gill ... and everyone who has posted: Thank you so much for all the ideas and suggestions. You all are definitely helping me re-think our original plans. I will post a photo of the window frames as soon as I receive.

I would do away with the tree in the front along with the shrub. It's hard to see the walkway, some low shurbs along the walkway to define.

No!!! Keep the tree. Pretty please. It is classic and would take 50 years to replace.

OMG.........................................the trees are wonderful, as I'm viewing the images the corner has two additional trees as well. The trees are so in scale with the house. They create a historical frame work for the lot. If the trees go you should remove the brick from the house, flatten the structure and find an architect, and start over (-:

I wasn't going to comment until I read "coratan's" comment about removing the tree. Why in the world would anyone want to remove a beautiful tree? It isn't in the way or putting anything in jeopardy and is as historically correct as the house is! Your home is lovely. How would you feel about double red knockout roses sprinkled across the front for spring thru fall color? Mixed with evergreen shrubs, they would be a "knockout"! The window box idea is a good one too especially if they were filled with red Geraniums and white petunias. I can't tell if that is a brick wall that meets the house on the left side but it would be beautiful to have ivy growing over it. Ivy would be in keeping with the style and evergreen too. You didn't say what planting zone or state you are in so these plants should work for any area. Post completed project pics!

Welcome to the neighborhood! We live on the next street over and did a complete renovation about 9 years ago. We replaced all of our windows with Pella Architectural aluminum clad on the outside and wood on the inside. We wanted to preserve the architectural integrity of the home so we had Pella copy the windows that were orginally in the home. We've been very happy with their product. Anderson also puts out a great window many people have used in the area. For help on the yard Ward and Child does wonderful landscaping. Please don't remove the tree they make the neighborhood and I belive they are city property. Good luck!

Those kitchen windows in your idea book are absolutely gorgeous!

Paint the door high gloss red or black and add flower boxes with flowing ivy and other bright flowers. Your house is already adorable.

One last comment, I found that just by spending time walking through my neighborhood (of 1920s and 30s non-cookie-cutter houses), I get tons of ideas for the house & yard. You'll get a better idea what you like & what works with your home. Have fun!

The sugestions are inspiring. For the record I am not removing the tree. I am investigating repairing the windows with a historical window company. This has turned an overwhelming project into a fun step by step experience. Thanks to all who have posted. Look for more photos soon.

I live in an area called Cheelcroft, which was built by a developer in the '20s thru the early 50'. He was very passionate about his "artistic" homes which were Brittany and Normandy cottages, as well as, Colonial revival homes. The Brittany and Normandy cottages are referred to today generally as Tudors.

In Cheelcroft, the "Tudor" homes had steel casement windows. People upgraded by adding a glass panel on the inside for more energy efficiency. I've heard that over time the seal in double pane windows breaks down and leads to a fog effect, so make sure you have a good warranty.

Anyway, I strongly believe in preserving the look, if not the actual, windows in these homes. It makes a huge difference. If you are going to replace them, get the best you can afford. Also keep the six over one double hung style and the twelve pane casements.

Think about painting the sashes a light green or a mellow orange tone to compliment the rust color of the brick. I'd go a brown on the timber and other wood trim; on the stucco a warm cream. I tried to put some samples from Benjamin Moore together to show you what I'm thinking.

Good luck you have a charmingly classic house!

Upload of Tudor colors from BM.

You can see these examples on my profile page under projects in a much larger view.

The green is Sherwood Green with Creamy Yellow and Rockies Brown
The "orange" is Greenfied Pumpkin with Barely Beige and Mink.

This house is darling.

Awesome! Thanks I like the green. I am surprised that nobody has commented on the light above the door. Seems small to me and odd to have it above the door. Anybody want to weigh in?

good comment...an iron lantern with brackets would be great there. Care to not 'over do it' I would not want to see anything too large there as often becomes the case. Bronze finish, with seeded glass would be nice

There are several kinds of ever blooming hydrangias that provide tons of character and color. They may well be a good choice for a specimen shrub. Knock out roses as someone suggested - terrific and very low maintenance. I'd stick with very dark colors on the trim - deep shades of rich brown - and not the lighter beiges. Tudor is traditionally dark. The stucco should be a very warm shade of ecru to blend well with the chocolate trim colors.

I'm overjoyed to hear you're approaching the windows with restoration rather than replacement. I live in an 150 yr old farm house with original windows - are they perfect - heck no - but, with storms and a few adjustments here and there - we've managed to keep them in place. We have replaced a few windows over the 35 yrs we've lived there, and I can attest that the new windows are no better at dodging drafts than my original windows - make the effort to restore them - and you'll not only preserve the historic integrity of the house, but you will benefit the environment, and in the long run, you'll have better windows for it.

Your house is lovely! Congratulations!

Photos's of the windows

Fanpark, it looks like you have more of a problem with the window frame than the windows (other than painting). Another thing about replacement windows is that the frame is much larger - hence the window is a bit smaller - at least that is what I've noticed on replaced windows. Anyway, back the windows, get a really good carpenter to replace the sill and the frames. I had one of my window sills on a large window replaced by a really good carpenter and he took it out without disturbing the rest of the window, fashioned a new one out of treated lumber with the right slop for runoff and drip edge on the underside.

Also, in Cheelcroft, there is a lovely Tudor with the green trim and it look fantastic. When these houses were being built in the 20s and 30s, it was with a bit a fantasy. Many of the casement windows were painted bright red or peacock blue.

Someone posted houses on her street and a few adjoining ones with some Cheel houses if you want to see: http://mysydneyparislife.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/a-magic-triangle-ten-ho-ho-kus-houses/

A good carpenter can restore those windows either with replacement parts and/or by using a product called Abatron. Check out the Old House Journal - there's ads there for it. We used it on an 1840 house windows and it is terrific. Also can be used for other distressed/rotted wood. The old wood is the best - tighter cellular structure in the wood because it was old growth lumber. Much of the new wood available is "new growth" lumber and the cellular structure of the wood is large, therefore more prone to rot and weaker. Much of what I see is a matter of paint, glaze and some good weatherization! Good luck!

Before you replace or restore the windows, as Holmes on Homes would say, why are they rotting? No profit in doing anything until you fix the underlying problem

Bright door with a burnt sienna glaze is one of my favorite tudors in my neighborhood. I've been sanding my own and need to post when finished! Love our tudors!

I have attached a photo. Awnings are so nice on tudor style houses, hope you get some ideas from this.
Good luck, and have fun.

I am 81 and lived in a Tudor style as a teenager. The pic from tochers brought back memories - the low boxwood hedge was very popular in the 30s - 40s and would certainly add to the landscaping appropriately. Maybe placed along the walk from the drive to the front door. As much as I love brightly painted entry doors, it would not be in keeping with this beautiful home. I love it and envy you.

Here's a picture of a copper awning on a Tudor house. We also used very large lanterns that gave it almost a fairy-tale appearance.

I purchased a home similar to yours 8 months ago. It is a 1935 tudor style with 4 gables. This is my first old home and what I found out is that your number 1 enemy is water. It can destroy your home in a matter of 1 year. If you have not put in gutters I would recommend you do. Don't put window boxes the amount of water can destroy the windows. Repair your beautiful old windows and add storm windows for energy savings and safety. Make sure your landscape slopes away from your home and that water that runs out of your gutters runs away from the house. Look at your crawl space opening if you have one and make sure water is not getting in there. Water proof first and you will have a sound house for many years to come.

Our Tudor cottage has a single storybook style light over the front door like your house does. If it’s original to your house I would not change it.