In its former life, this colonial was a
lackluster example of a suburban tract home. It sat over-scaled on its
site, with a top-heavy center treatment of flagstone veneer over the
front entry right up to the center gable. Much of the primed pine trim
was rotten at the ends, and 20 year old windows were beginning to show
fogged glass, a sign that the seals had failed.
Once it was decided that all the windows
would be replaced, it opened the door to a real stylistic change;
instead of standard colonial mullion patterns on the windows, new
windows allowed for black sash and less traditional grid patterns on the
openings. This combined with a change to white cedar shingle siding with
flares, and new fascia, soffit and eave return details, really allowed
the style to move away from traditional colonial. The expansive front
porch addition works to nullify the top heaviness of the former
building, by bringing it down to human scale at the front door, as well
as creating a place to watch the kids play in the front yard.
The result was a house
updated with new materials and efficiencies, with a new look that really
sets it apart from the others on the street in a unique fashion – this
was very important to the Owner, and they are thrilled with the outcome.
2024 National Award
