Need Your Help to create a welcoming approach to house

9 years ago

We are slowly renovating this old farmhouse and need suggestions for making the walkway to the entry a bit more welcoming than it is. The shrubs can go. We have plenty of room for a garden area. We plan on having a small deck off the entry and maybe a pergola. This isn't the front door, but will be the door that is used most often.
If this were your project, what would you do?

Featured Answer

PRO

The Kitchen Place

9 years ago

I also like the pergola idea! If you want something to shelter you from rain and snow, consider adding a gable to your porch roof line, like in this picture below. You can choose what ever structural (pillar) design fits your house best. Then maybe do a pergola extensions off to the left and have a small sitting area. Also agree with the previous poster, the large boxy shrubs MUST go. Here is a link to some other porch ideas. http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/small-porch.html

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (28)

PRO
Doug Lewis Remodeling
9 years ago
It's nice to see you addressing the exterior early in the project. The old school of thought was to work your way room the inside out. We promote dressing up the outside early. if you are living in it it gives you a sense of pride in the project and is inviting for you or guests. I would suggest a natural stone walk. Durable, popular and timeless. The shrubs do need to go, for something smaller and with more character. Big green shrubs are not so popular these days and they can detract from the beauty of your home. I would cover the door with a porch that is small and delicate, again not to detract from the home itself or hide your door and lights.
freetess thanked Doug Lewis Remodeling
PRO
User
9 years ago
roses, pathways and a gazebo. can you convert that mud room into to a porch? not much for a deck on an old Victorian, or a pergola on the back/side door unless you can carry it around.
freetess thanked User
Related Discussions
Need help for Patio idea!
Q
Comments (3)
Work with a landscape designer/architect. Likely, some sort of retained, back filled walls will be necessary to create an area large enough to place a table with chairs & umbrella. If you entertain multiple generations, keep your patio to a single level. I would suggest integrating planting areas within the patio area, to introduce color & eventually partial shade. Designing a pergola into this composition would be a nice addition to. Get the blessings of any governing/HOA body that you need approvals from, which your design professional of choice should be able to facilitate for you. Happy Houzzing!
...See More
Need help on placing my furniture in the living and dining room
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Trishtham, you can consider to have a see through TV feature wall or a glass panel wall with lower part as your TV console to create the location for TV and space for wall outside bedroom 2 as the location for sofa. If You want a spacious living room space, can even consider to extend the study room wall to push the TV feature further towards dining area.
...See More
Need help with Scandinavian style for BTO
Q
Comments (5)
Hi Mr Martini! Congratulations on the new BTO! Hiring a good interior designer will definitly help with designing your new home. And seeing that you are a family man, I imagine you would want as little hassle as possible. A good interior designer will listen to your ideas of how you want your home to look like, and make it happen as best as possible, taking into consideration your family's lifestyle, HDB limitations on renovation, your budget, etc. While my husband and I did hire an interior designer for our resale flat, I unfortunately will not recommended them for they gave us more headache than I felt necessary for the tiniest of problems. So do ask around and see if anyone can recommend a good interior designer. Back to your love for Scandinavian design! I was going for the Scandinavian style too only to later realise along the design process, that we were not loving the bland colours and minimalism and somehow, we managed to end up with a relaxing resort-themed home which we're loving. In fact, a recent Houzz article tells us that the Scandinavian colour palette is moving away from pale cool shades which I find fun and refreshing. Here's the link: Check out this story from houzz - http://houzz.com/sr/m=7/u=L2lkZWFib29rcy82NjU4MDg4NA== Nevertheless, if bright pops of colour is not your thing, here's another article I found: 'Top 10 Tips for Ceeating a Scandinavian Interior': http://freshome.com/2012/12/03/top-10-tips-for-creating-a-scandinavian-interior/ I feel this article breaks down the Scandinavian style so that it's easy to replicate, one aspect at a time. As a common design style in Singapore, I think most deisgners are now very familiar with this style so you shouldn't have any trouble achieving this style. All the best, Mr Martini with this exciting (though sometimes exasperating!) project and do share photos of your new home if you can! Katherine
...See More
Need help designing my corridor
Q
Comments (9)
Hi razis_wwf13, here are two articles on Houzz to get you started with. Although they are international, some ideas are applicable to the HDB context. My favourite is to use the corridor as an artwork gallery with some proper lighting :) [10 Clever Tips to Better Use Corridors[(https://www.houzz.com.sg/magazine/10-clever-tips-to-better-use-corridors-stsetivw-vs~77897314) [Create a Welcoming Hallway When you Don't Have one[(https://www.houzz.com.sg/magazine/create-a-welcoming-hallway-when-you-dont-have-one-stsetivw-vs~81092193)
...See More
Dar Eckert
9 years ago
Can you take another photo and get more of the house?
Victorian Porch · More Info

Historic Victorian Exterior · More Info
freetess thanked Dar Eckert
Kimberly
9 years ago
This is pretty for a side entrance. I would replace the door, and I love your idea of a pergola! [houzz=
Door Treatment · More Info
]
freetess thanked Kimberly
PRO
Homes By Frameworks
9 years ago
Having a roof over your door is always a good idea to (1) give you cover while you search for your keys, fumble your groceries, etc., and (2) to prevent weather from getting inside when the door is open. Seems like natural wood tones would compliment what you have going on in terms of color. Check out a similar project we did a few years back...the new Entry adds a lot of character to an otherwise plain house.
User
9 years ago
Many great ideas here! :-) One thing to ask yourself when designing exterior as well as interior is "What do I want it to 'say'?" In other words, in my opinion your farmhouse speaks to cottage style; cottage plantings, other cottage elements. (But we can't see much of the rest of the house, so I might be advising in the wrong direction.) Depending on the style you want it to resemble, you can go lots of directions.

I personally see it with a low deck, bordered by cottage flower plantings right next to the deck as well as carrying them out to the end of the sidewalk.

There's a great new magazine that just came out called "Porches and Gardens". Its first issue is chocked full of wonderful ideas for all types of style homes/gardens.
freetess thanked User
freetess
Original Author
9 years ago
Great suggestions! I will take a better photo of the rest of the house. What is very interesting is that there is a cottage in the back. I really like the cottage ideas and asking what we want the landscaping to "say". FYI - the rest of the area is a subdivision. This was the original farmhouse that came with lots of land that was eventually sold off for development. The other houses in the neighborhood are the typical cookie-cutter subdivision homes. They are very well-kept with lovely gardens. Our house was obviously neglected for decades.

The door is new and cannot be replaced. The mud room is actually a laundry room. We cannot change the interior layout nor the entry. This house was used as a real estate office in its last reincarnation.

The shrubs seem really old and too "woody". Need something that is low-maintenance because I have a black thumb and mostly kill things. I would like to plant lavender, which supposedly can grow in this zone.
auntiebuzzybee
9 years ago
If you have a temperate climate, then a pergola would be very pretty. It isn't as practical as a covered porch or entry, especially if you don't have a bit of a green thumb and time to work with it now and then with pruners. So glad to hear it is going to be loved once again.
User
9 years ago
What planting zone are you? You're saying lavender and that's gorgeous! So it tells me you're further south than I am here in ND. Here in our zone 3 it's used as an annual but if you're a higher zone, then it would be a terrific perennial. Also another plant that works well (probably in your zone too) is rosemary which can grow to shrub like proportions.

Hollyhocks are very cottagey...I'd call them the iconic cottage plant :-) They'll grow anywhere. They are considered a biennial which means they grow for 2 years then die. But they self-seed so you always have them growing. Many different varieties and colors too! One caveat: they self-seed everywhere so if they seed themselves somewhere you don't want them, pull them early to avoid letting them get too overgrown.

Other cottage plants are simple things like daisies (also self-seeding), day lilies are always wonderful and grow nearly everywhere. They grow then can be divided and you get a lot of bang for the buck. Plus there are so many varieties in many colors too!

Depending on your light conditions other very cottage plants (also appropriate for the age of your home) are hostas, hydrangeas, peonies, bridal wreath spirea, etc. Ooooh the list goes on and on. Many of the ones I've mentioned are quite care free....even for 'black thumb' people. ;-) You can always buy pots of flowers prearranged at your garden centers. Then all you have to do is water them. Those places (even ones like Lowes/Home Depot/etc.) stock plants that will grow well in your zone and should be quite easy care.

You can still construct a pergola but don't put climbing vines on it...if you would prefer not to tend to them/trim them much.

You are quite lucky to have this lovely home in a 'cookie-cutter' division. Make it wonderful :-)
freetess thanked User
User
9 years ago
P.S. The door looks fine to me... I'd recommend painting it a different color though. It's style seems to work well enough with the rest of the home...at least what we can see of it.
freetess thanked User
freetess
Original Author
9 years ago
We are in zone 6a. Plant suggestions much appreciated. Forgot to mention that we have a deer problem. I read that deer do not like lavender, so that is a bonus.
auntiebuzzybee
9 years ago
Is it possible to add windows to this area? It would certainly add more charm if the interior can work with that. Im sure you'd like more natural light, most do anyway.
freetess thanked auntiebuzzybee
PRO
The Kitchen Place
9 years ago
Yes! I definitely can see this house with more 'wild' landscaping, not formal or manicured. Lavender, prairie flowers....etc....black eyed susans would look great. By the way, I love the purple door.
freetess thanked The Kitchen Place
PRO
Warner Decor
9 years ago
Hi! Have you considered a wreath for the door?

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-ivory-hydrangeas-white-monogram-burlap-bow/

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-ivory-hydrangeas-moss-monogram-burlap-bow/

Hope this helps you!
freetess thanked Warner Decor
PRO
VizX Design Studios, LLC
9 years ago
I would bring in a landscape designer to help with the concept. The first thing to do is to remove all of that large shrubbery then start with a new paver or stone walkway with a simple stoop and maybe a small pergola of the door.
freetess thanked VizX Design Studios, LLC
PRO
User
9 years ago
that is spot on!!
freetess thanked User
freetess
Original Author
9 years ago
Immediately inside the door is a laundry room, so no place to add a window to this side of the house. Removing the large, ancient shrubbery is a first priority. Actually, it is there to hide the fact that we have no proper entry. As soon as we know exactly what we will do, they will go. Landscape designer is a great idea. Always good to consult with pros, but also like getting a wide range of ideas.
apple_pie_order
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like the purple door. It adds character. This is the main door you use, so it needs to have a shelter overhead from rain and enough space on the porch so that you can find your keys or set down a bag of groceries. Stone walks are all very well for rarely used paths, but a straight approach and flat surface to walk on when bringing in groceries or kids is easier.

Try purple salvia for landscaping, too, if it grows there. Deer in some places don't care for it.
freetess thanked apple_pie_order
Dar Eckert
9 years ago
I don't like the color of this pergola and deck but something like this may work for you.
Traditional Exterior · More Info
freetess thanked Dar Eckert
freetess
Original Author
9 years ago
For those who wanted to see a more inclusive photo to get a better idea of the space, I have uploaded. I have so many ideas in my head thanks to your great suggestions.
PRO
User
9 years ago
wrap a porch over to the left, and add a pergola ....now that i see it all...
freetess thanked User
apple_pie_order
9 years ago
Good photo, thanks. Any ideas what the shrubs are, if they bloomed already?
freetess thanked apple_pie_order
auntiebuzzybee
9 years ago
You don't want a window in your laundry room? I really think it would improve the exterior appearance...and you just may want some sunshine while doing chores.
freetess thanked auntiebuzzybee
freetess
Original Author
9 years ago
No clue what the shrubs are - seems that they have been there forever. This is a new house for us. The branches are getting very woody at the bottom. Haven't seen any flowers - they are evergreens.

The laundry room just about fits the washer and dryer with just enough space for a laundry room. Good that I am used to having laundry in a closet.

Never thought about extending a porch and pergola to the right side of the house. That's a very interesting idea. There is a sidewalk that goes along the right side of the house and around to the front
auntiebuzzybee
9 years ago
Flowers for you ; )
freetess thanked auntiebuzzybee
freetess
Original Author
8 years ago
Finally, we finished the deck. We still have some landscaping to do, but thought I would upload a photo of the finished project. Input from others here at Houzz helped us come up with a design. We still need to add some plants and hanging baskets.
freetess
Original Author
8 years ago
And this is the entry in an earlier life. [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-with-entry-deck-porch-design-dsvw-vd~1005564[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-with-entry-deck-porch-design-dsvw-vd~1005564)

Need Your Help to create a welcoming approach to house

The Kitchen Place

Comments (28)

Doug Lewis Remodeling

User

Related Discussions

Dar Eckert

Kimberly

Homes By Frameworks

User

freetess
Original Author

auntiebuzzybee

User

User

freetess
Original Author

auntiebuzzybee

The Kitchen Place

Warner Decor

VizX Design Studios, LLC

User

freetess
Original Author

apple_pie_order

Dar Eckert

freetess
Original Author

User

apple_pie_order

auntiebuzzybee

freetess
Original Author

auntiebuzzybee

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

Need Your Help to create a welcoming approach to house

Comments (28)

Related Discussions

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

freetessOriginal Author

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author

freetess
Original Author