In a desire to update her
lake home’s dated 70’s gingerbread appearance, the client’s goal was to
totally update the home’s curb appeal with a carriage, or cottage type
design. The front landscape was removed and the grade was raised around
the perimeter of the porch to eliminate the front porch railings. New
stone steps and matching retaining wall were also constructed. To
continue the design, the porch columns’ pedestals and a water table were
also built of stone. To add the finishing touch to the front, the entry
door unit was replaced with a 12 lite French door unit. Another problem
was the plain, dated garage face that is so prominent on the front of
the house. The solution was to remove the starburst glassed garage
doors, rebuild the openings and install new carriage garage doors. The
glass at the top of the doors repeats the rest of the home’s window
glass patterns. The lap siding was removed and housewrap was added
before installing cedar shake to the entire face. Cottage shutters were
installed for added character. This home now has a timeless beauty with
the tones of tan and vanilla that really warm this exterior.
