Which entrance should I choose for my older Dutch Colonial?

8 years ago

Hello everyone! We have an older Dutch Colonial that needs some updating. I was wondering if I am able, or if it's ok to have a craftsman style porch on an older dutch colonial home. I have done two VERY quick mockups (and you can see the before in white).

To save on siding costs, we are going with a vinyl (Gentek Storm) with white trim.

SO:

- Left (a) or (b) Right entrance

- are flared columns ok?

- is it ok to add stones at the base of the columns if we don't have other stone on the house? We will be also re-doing the stone stairway to compliment the columns.

- shutters; ok to remove them?

We also could do an arched porch too. PS it is difficult for us to add windows on the right side of the house because of a staircase. We are adding one window, top right.

Thanks, please be kind! This is just a very quick photoshop rendering.

Featured Answer

dover P

8 years ago

Left (a) or (b) Right entrance I would do the Arched porch

- are flared columns ok? NO

- is it ok to add stones at the base of the columns if we don't have
other stone on the house? We will be also re-doing the stone stairway to
compliment the columns. NO

- shutters; ok to remove them? YES,Please they aren't appropriately sized. The home is better without them IMO.

Why? because doing so would denature the integrity of the original home. I may more biased because I studied architecture. Of course you could do whatever you want to your home, but the world has enough good architecture being ruined. I love the charm your home has. Here is an Article

Examples of what you could do instead.

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Comments (6)

Porter Edun
8 years ago
I like the door you have chosen, but might do more paned windows. Perhaps 4 with 3/4th of the door and a solid bottom?

The style of the porch is pretty. I'm not seeing the stone around the columns on your home.
joce thanked Porter Edun
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chiflipper
8 years ago
"B" is my choice. I would suggest moving the support posts off "the stoop", they will need new footings. This would afford you a wider, more welcoming entry. The addition of the new upper window really balances out the front. As said above, no stone, no shutters.
joce thanked chiflipper
Horizons
8 years ago
I like the new siding and trim colors, as well as the addition of the window and the removal of the shutters.
The stone and flared columns don’t seem to work.
joce thanked Horizons
daisiesandbutterflies
8 years ago
I totally agree with @dover P. The porches you have selected do not look right on a dutch colonial house. You have a dutch colonial. Honor that style, and make it better by reinforcing dutch colonial style elsewhere on the exterior rather than diluting it.
joce
Original Author
8 years ago
hey everyone! Thanks for the comments. Because there is a staircase on the right side, I am not able to balance out the windows (unfortunately) and just have room for that one window, top right. Regarding the porch I was trying to do something a little bit different than all of the dutch colonials here. There are a lot of them ;-) I do like the first 2 examples of Dover P's comment. Thanks for taking the time to read. Could I even do an arched entrance (not as thick columns) as this one? Thank You.