Replies

1. 
   Danno | Dec 06, 2005 02:56pm | #1

   I would begin by looking through magazines and clipping out pictures of styles you like and putting them in a folder. Even if you hire a designer, this will help him/her know ehat you like. I would also go to a library and look through books on architecture and architectural styles.

   It sounds to me that with a two story and the full width porch, you could turn this into a "farmhouse style" house. Generally, that would include a wrap around porch (all sides, or close to it), a steeper pitched roof on the second story and shallow, shed roofs over the porches. Columns supporting the porch roofs are a feature of this style. For interest, you can add a dormer-type roof over the entrance. I particularly like houses that have this dormer feature at an angle--off a corner of the front of the house, for instance. (Usually they cut the corner of the house across so it's flat.) For added interest, you can have bay windows--either the bay floor to celing, or just with window seats.

   You may be able to get by without a designer--depends on how good you and your wife are at visualising (and knowing what you want). I'd start by looking at pictures though--and looking at real houses--every time you go for a drive, notice the houses you like and don't like. I also like Dutch Cross Colonials ("barn" (gambrel) roofs that cross at 90 degrees). Good luck! Sounds like fun!

   Edit: It just so happens that I live in Michigan and would perhaps be able to consult with you on this. We aren't supposed to advertise here, and I don't do this for a living (though I'd dearly like to), but I could talk with you gratis. Email me if you have further questions.

   Just looked at an interesting book of interiors and exteriors called The Good Home by Dennis Wedlick. Some of his designs would be expensive, but they are a starting point to "tickle" your imagination.

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   Edited 12/6/2005 6:59 am ET by Danno

   
   

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   Edited 12/6/2005 9:28 pm ET by Danno

1. 
   MikeBear | Dec 07, 2005 08:59pm | #2

   Thanks for your help. I will keep this in mind in the next few months. We have a lot of moving to do and after we get settled in I'll be looking into this a little more.

   I'll also check out your book recommendation and if anyone else has any book ideas I would appreciate them. If there is a book with before and after pictures of house exteriors that would be great.

   Thanks,

   Mike

2. 
   user-65382 | Dec 07, 2005 09:28pm | #3

   Dear Mike,

   Your idea of developing a master plan for your remodel is good. Most people miss the boat completely on this particular issue. A good idea that I have used myself with home owners on a limited budget is focusing on the least used spaces of your house to develop and experiment with potential styles prior to utilizing one of them thruout your remodel, unless you can identify early on what will look good for you.

   Also, the easiest way to "tie" everything together is to pick a couple of unifying elements, i.e. a particular trim, floor finish, paint color, cabinet type, cabinet pulls, etc. the you utilize thruout. Varying to many elements within a house creates a "punky-brooster" look that makes little or no sense to the regular individual.

   If re-sale value comes into play at all, be careful not to go to far with your own "style" unless it can be considered timeless. All to often these things have to be redone or removed if the home will be sold. Obviously in this case, perception is everything.

   As far as books, I like to steer people toward Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" series of books, Fine Home Building Magazine, as well as several fine books published by the Taunton Press. Especially the "updating" series of books that discuss how to update different architectural styles. I'm assuming that you are currently reading "inspired House?" This is a very good start.

3. 
   piko | Dec 10, 2005 08:40am | #4

   There is a maxim - live in the house a year before you do anything. Get to see it's quirks, and it may even 'tell' you what it wants. And if nothing else, choose some kind of homogenizing colour scheme in the meantime - paint is cheap, and can be redone easily.

   You'll find professional advice expensive, especially if you don't know what you want.

   All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

4. 
   TTF | Dec 11, 2005 06:46am | #5

   mikeberr,

   I bought a house last year with the same plan in mind. The house is a daylight ranch with the space we wanted but absolutely no style and it was dated. We are about 1/2 way done with the main floor, and will do the basement next year. This is the third house we have done it to, basically increasing the homes value by about 50% each time.

   Here are some guidelines we use:

   • Pick a style. If you dont, then you get a lot of nice rooms with no cohesive elements. I think not having a preference, as you stated, will work against you. It gives you a framework to make decisions from.
   • Go to a "street of dreams" event. Look at a bunch of houses of various styles and pick the one that really jazzes you. You wont likely be able to have all the expesive stuff, but you can decide on the feel.
   • Determine what will anchor your house. For our current house, we decided that maple flooring, a stone fireplace, and cherry cabinetry would be the main things.
   • Get a color pallet and paint every room from it. You can have various color schemes in your rooms, but the colors will flow. Nothing looks worse than a pastel room ajoining an earth-tone hallway.
   • Dont be afraid to spend a little money on design books. I am doing our master bath now, and I spent $100 on 4 design books with lots of pictures. I figure its a cheap date compared to the $5000 for materials I am spending on the remodel. Cut out the pictures you choose and make a "design book"

   Good luck,

   TTF