Ideas for front facade - Center Hall Colonial. Portico? Paint?

6 years ago

I'm not a Center Hall Colonial kind of girl, but moved into this house a couple years ago. The question is how to improve the look. To me it looks blocky and flat not mention the same as every other house on the block.

We definitely need to replace the stone on the front step so I think now's the time to do a bit more as well.

We're considering 1) adding a small flat roof portico v. just removing the federalist molding over the door. 2) removing the faux stone finish below the bays, if the brick is in good shape underneath. 3) we need to repaint the metal roofs above the bays, so we could change the color there as well. 4) replace the lights.

I'd love to also replace the white metal flashing around the bay windows, with something to give it more depth, but the metal is doing its job keeping the rain out and would be expensive to replace. And in my ideal world, I'd paint or white wash the house, but I think the money is better spent elsewhere.

My husband wants a portico to keep package dry and I thought I wanted the portico, but now worry it might reduce light coming into the bays (northern exposure), and make the face look crowded.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I welcome any ideas!! Thanks!

Featured Answer

grapefruit1_ar

6 years ago

I agree about removing the pediment, and I would remove that fluted door trim. I think a simple portico would work.

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Comments (8)

Beth Pilcher
6 years ago
This is our house when we bought it two years ago. The only picture I have but such a similar house. It has a different color scheme altogether, so it may give you some ideas.
ekara1968
6 years ago
You have a pretty house. I think you will regret adding a portico with those bay windows jutting out like they do. Too many competing shapes and it will look crowded. Can you remove the bay windows and structure around them and replace with a flat window? That would allow you to add the portico.

I live in an area where most houses are Colonials. I'm seeing a trend where homeowners are replacing windows with ones that have simple lines, darker and trimmed in black. They remove shutters and paint whole house one color. It gives the home a transitional look.
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houssaon
6 years ago
I would have an architect look at it. I do think the bays limit your options.
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ptreckel
6 years ago
Consider copper roofs for your front bay windows. And re landscape. Open up the house by pruning the trees and removing old over-grown shrubs. Your home is beautiful.
felizlady
6 years ago
If you remove the pediment above the door, you could add a portico for protection in foul weather.
ekara1968
6 years ago
I just saw this. It is similar to what you want to do with yours.

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/chatham-township-colonial-traditional-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~46301186
ptreckel
6 years ago
I mentioned that you should copper your bay windows’ roofs. It appears that they might be copper. The flashing certainly is copper. And it appears that the damaged roof on the right is copper. So....strip and burnish them, and coat them. Then, if you choose to put a shed portico over your front door, add copper to it.