Front Entrance Makeover on 1950 Style Split Level Ranch

7 years ago

Last year I bought a 1950 style split level ranch with a small covered porch. I would like to add some curb appeal and modernize the look a little. I would like to give it a craftsman style look. I am looking for ideas to redo it at miminal cost, as I am retired and after purchasing the house and doing some modernizing on the interior, my budget is limited.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

partim
7 years ago
Modernizing can mean so many different things. If you put some "dream home" photos in your idea book, it will be easier to help you.

Your house has very few craftsman elements now. http://www.arts-and-crafts-style.com/craftsman-style-homes.html

Craftsman Exterior Checklist
- low-pitched, front or side gabled roofs (sometimes clipped or hipped)
- dormer windows and multiple roof planes
- generously overhanging eaves
- exposed rafters and beams
- extended rafter ends, sometimes decoratively shaped (e.g., oriental flares)
- decorative braces and stickwork under the gables
- decorative attic vents in front facing gables
- wood or stone siding such as horizontal wood slats, wood shingles, cut stone cladding
- generous full or partial width front porches
- porch support columns often extending to ground level (no break at the porch floor)
- tapered porch columns supported by low pedestals made of stone, brick, wood or stucco
- sloping foundation walls and porch supports
- stone covered foundation walls and porch supports
- stone exterior chimneys
- additional trellised porches
- wide exterior window and door casing
- windows with multi-paned top sashes and single-paned bottom sashes
- stained glass in exterior windows and doors
Not sure whether your Craftsman look is realistic. Probably best to just enhance the current style with better landscaping.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
Better off to look for a craftsman house than to try and make this anything but what it is.These are 2 ideas to gain some inspiration from which IMO could be doable.For starters get rid of the shutters they are in no way the right size for the windows and I have never seen shutters on any Craftsman I have encountered.
Related Professionals
River Edge Architects & Building Designers · Schaumburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · South Farmingdale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · North Myrtle Beach Furniture & Accessories · Fort Carson Furniture & Accessories · Van Nuys Furniture & Accessories · Lake Magdalene Furniture & Accessories · Brownsville General Contractors · Coatesville General Contractors · Kilgore General Contractors · Lakewood General Contractors · Mount Holly General Contractors · Palatine General Contractors · Rancho Cordova General Contractors · Roselle General Contractors
Rina
7 years ago
I like both comments above. This is just not a craftsman style house.* What it is, is a rather specially lovely house, with plenty of curb appeal as it stands (especially once you start gardening -- I fancy azaleas in the bed next to the porch). So congratulations on a great buy. I think Patricia has hit the nail on the head with her examples of how far you can go without dishonouring the house as it stands. My only additional thought is that the front steps could look better -- in what way, would depend on what you did with the rest of the house.

* Warning: foreigner speaking. But I do love American craftsman style.