My 1936 duplex is in need of an update, at a minimum a new paint job. The upper windows need to be replaced. I'm not sure what the original corner windows looked like. The previous owner, who is deceased, replaced them with aluminum sliders, which need to be replaced.

The non-corner windows are all double hung with divided pain.

I am not a fan of the upstairs covered porch, but I am not sure what I would do with it.

I added the two pilasters with lights in front. They are mailboxes for each respective unit.

I would like to put up a front gate between the pilasters. The pilasters are wired and will have an entry system.

I would like to put up a fence, but I have to be careful due to city ordinances. I'm thinking about placing a face even with the pilasters. I built-up the front yard with grape fig covered retaining wall, which is 42". I do not care for people coming up to my front door and windows, which is primary reason for the fence and gate. I will also gate off the drive way. The steel railing on the building has "X" balusters interspersed between straight balusters. There are "X" balusters have rosettes in their centers and a curved metal piece that drapes between the upper arms of the "X". The railing is original and may be replaced at some point since the height of it does not meet current building code requirements.

I plan to change the front door to the upstairs unit. I change the front entry to the lower unit. However, the exterior around the lower entry needs to be finished. I covered every the exterior of the lower unit's entrance with hardibacker board. The lower units front door used to about 8 ft deeper and there was a deep portico that included the space underneath the stairs. the space under the stairs is now a closet and storage for the lower unit and space of the portico is now part of the unit's foyer.

the steps from the street, exterior stairs, and all landings are covered in Vermont Bluestone.

The building is stucco except for the wood siding that starts at the bottom of the upper corner windows and goes to the eaves. The siding is on the front and continues down about a third of each side. I have thought of removing it and replace it with stucco or replacing the parts that may be rotted. However, I'm not sure of its condition except the paint has seen better days.

I have thought about using Bahama shutters on the house to give it a little more character.

I call the style of the house --- Bastardized Art Moderne.

I would like build in the eaves the house.

I have not thought much about paint color. I really think the house looks better if it's trim is not painted an accent color and probably looks better if it is the same as the house.

currently the house is an off-white white cream color. in the images, the wood appears to be whiter, but it does not appear that in person.

I added the double band of trim that divides the facade into two levels. This trim covers up a double band of curly scalloped trim that looked odd on the house.

I'm not too concerned about the budget. I care more about any ideas that you might have.

The roof is not in bad shape, but it was not installed properly and it will be torn off at some point and the roof will be covered in ply wood before another roof is applied. at that point, I may consider adding solar panels. The pitch of the roof is steeper than it looks. in my opinion the roof does not go with the house. however, I prefer it any day over a flat roof, which most art Moderne style houses have.

I look forward to hearing from you.