Photoshop Redo: How to Spiff Up a Two-Story
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Simple Strategies for a Two-Story
Simple Strategies for a Two-Story
Illustration by Howard Digital
"My childhood home has barely been touched in 30 years," says David DeProspero, whose mother, Carmella, still lives in this 1925 house in Rome, New York. He's helping her bring it up to date, so we asked New York architect Judith Gerrard to give him a few suggestions.
"This house has very pleasant proportions as is,"says Gerrard. With an eye toward emphasizing its farmhouse character and taking advantage of the corner lot, she recommends wrapping the porch around the left side of the house, adding wide stairs at its perimeter, and ideally, if local codes and the foundation height allow for it, forgoing the railings. "With this change, the columns flanking the entry could be spaced farther apart to make the approach feel more gracious and welcoming," she says.
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Floor Level 1st Floor Windows
Floor Level 1st Floor Windows
Illustration by Howard Digital
If the porch is low enough, it can be built without railing, creating a very open feel for this new outdoor "room." Extending the first story windows all the way down to the floor level increases this effect and improves the facade's new proportions
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A Standing-Seam Metal Roof
A Standing-Seam Metal Roof
Illustration by Howard Digital
The durable standing-seam metal roof would hold up well in a four-season climate with harsh winters.
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Finishing Touches: Paint
Finishing Touches: Paint
Illustration by Howard Digital
A bright door stands out against shades of pine.
Guilford Green, Great Barrington Green, Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore; from about $39 per gallon
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Finishing Touches: Decking
Finishing Touches: Decking
Illustration by Howard Digital
These tongue-and-groove boards can be installed without surface fasteners.
Timbertech; from about $3 per linear foot
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Finishing Touches: Pendant Light
Finishing Touches: Pendant Light
Illustration by Howard Digital
The square shape matches the porch columns.
Trans Globe Lighting; about $150
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Finishing Touches: Shutters
Finishing Touches: Shutters
Illustration by Howard Digital
All-weather cedar is a good choice for four-season climates.
Sunbelt Shutters; about $198 per pair