New Home Construction

[Alan L.]

I guess have to disagree with most of you on the starkness of the white house. I think it looks exactly the way it should. A big white beautiful southern plantation home. I like the shutter idea, but other than that I wouldn't touch it. I don't have any design credentials, but it looks fabulous to me.

 

[Bird]

Alan, do you think you know, or care, as little about design and decoration as I do? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I only consider comfort, function, ease of maintenance, and cost, so I prefer staying with all one color and wouldn't even add the shutters unless my wife forced the issue, and she probably would. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[bmac]

Thanks to those who have voted on the shutter style. But now, it seems clear I've got bigger fish to fry.


Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. This time you've really p*ssed me off!!!

Naw, just kidding. I didn't start this thread just to hear from a bunch of "yes men" (or women, rox). I'm a big boy and can take suggestions and critiques (I don't refer to comments offered in the spirit of helpfulness as criticism) just fine. In fact, I welcome them. That was one of my purposes in sharing this adventure with my TBN friends.

I'm sure I mentioned this soon after the siding was installed, but I'll say it again. Our vision for our new home was a white, farmhouse style building. Nothing grand or stately. Simple, white farmhouse. That is the idea we brought to our architect and what we thought we were going to get. It became clear to us once the siding was put on that the proportions were not what we envisioned and you will recall that we tossed ideas back and forth here and I hired a home designer to come out and offer suggestions. The proportions definately improved with taller windows and some trim changes. But the farmhouse look was nowhere to be seen. Still, we stayed with the plan for a white house. And, boy-oh-boy, did we ever get a white house. The question on the table now is how do we reign it in a little (or alot)?

As rox suggested in her post, we are going to take it slow. My wife met with her decorator (who owns a 150 yr old Victorian and knows very well what we are trying to accomplish) at the house today. He thinks the shutters, some rocking chairs and planters on the porch, repainting the front door with something with a little more red in it (as he originally said- it just didn't come out like the color swatch looked) along with the landscaping will do wonders. If it doesn't, we'll look at adding colors to trim, columns, etc to jazz things up a bit.

Esthetics are very subjective. I'd bet that if I poled 100 folks who lived in white houses, 95 would like this look. But, we don't all live in white houses and I imagine some out there who are very color-savy would find our house to be hideous looking. To each their own. As I've heard many times before - Be careful what you ask for. We asked for a white house. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Eddie, I've told you this before and I'll say it again - I appreciate your honesty and suggestions. There is nothing mean-spirited in what you say and I never have to wonder exactly what it is you are trying communicate. Its very clear and to the point. I like this. The fact that you always preface your comments with an apology for what is about to be said tells me that your intent is only to help. And it takes up your valuable time to make type these replies - time that you probably should be devoting to your projects or family. So, thanks again. And don't worry about discouraging us. We're doing fine.

Keep the comments coming.

 

[bmac]

Hi, Dave. Thanks for the suggestion. As I told Eddie, we'll start to add color a little at a time.

 

[bmac]

<font color="blue"> It's your day in the barrel! </font>

Did you hear me squealin' ? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

<font color="blue"> I thought I had a picture here at work but they must be on the home computer. I'll try to send one this weekend just FYI.
</font>

That would be great. Thanks.

 

[bmac]

rox,

This is all your fault. You just HAD to ask to see the house from the front. Thanks, rox! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

<font color="blue"> I recomend you do go lightly with your accent color, as if you do to mutch it begins to look "cutsie". </font>

Definately want to avoid cutsie. My wife saw a house today that had a little too much accent color done. She definately did not like that. Per your suggestions, we are going to do some little things first and re-evaluate.

<font color="blue"> My suggestion would be to put up shutters, paint them classic green, the most classic combination in the world is white house green shutters. </font>

Yeah, I love dark green. In fact the shutters on our house now are dark green. My concern about using green is that the decorator has a clor in mind for the from door that has a fair amount of red in it. I'm afraid with green shutters, the house will look like we've decorated for christmas year round. Maybe use the door color on the shutters? I'm not a color person so I'll leave this choice up to my bride and her decorator, I guess.

<font color="blue"> I would try and paint the items mentioned above the exact same color at the brick. </font>

That may complement the red door just fine. I need to be careful with my words. I don't think the door will be <font color="red"> red </font> red. Just something with a reddish tint to it. Obviously, I haven't seen whatever color he has in mind but I'm sure its not really red.

<font color="blue"> The white trim mixed in by the front door and side windows of the front door, don't see "to me" to be harmonious. Only my opinion. </font>

I can't say I disagree with you. The decision on this was made so that the trim around the door would match the trim around the windows, baseboard, etc. Its the way the builder and trim guy have done on their other homes. We didn't know and took their recommendations. We don't really like it too much, but don't dislike it enough to worry about it or go to great lengths to change it. If that makes sense.

<font color="blue"> BMAC, it really is a pretty home, even mroe so now that I found out your wife has a small office in the back. Lucky Her! </font>

Thanks, rox. It looks as though I need to have a little chat with your husband about getting you an office put in. I bet that would score some real brownie points for him. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bmac]

Alan,

Finally!! Someone with taste has responded. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You've inspired me. I'm not a home owner, I'm a Plantation owner. Just get me a couple of acres of cotton planted (cheaper than Zoysia) and the house will look just great.

Seriously. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'm sure your design credentials are every bit as impressive as mine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bmac]

Bird,

<font color="blue"> I only consider comfort, function, ease of maintenance, and cost, so I prefer staying with all one color and wouldn't even add the shutters unless my wife forced the issue, and she probably would. </font>

Now, here's a man who knows proper home design (and how to keep the wife happy).

 

[bmac]

Well, now that the old business has been discussed, I've got a couple of new photos to show. Nothing really new - just the wood floors with a coat of finish on them (more to be done later) and a shot of the screened porch with exterior siding.

First, the porch. I just took one from the deck as the back yard was too muddy to be walking on today.

 

[bmac]

I'll show the floors from roughly the same point of view as I showed the unfinished wood the other day.

Family room.

 

[bmac]

The living room.

 

[bmac]

And, the dining room.

 

[bmac]

I'll leave with the construction schedule as I know it. Tomorrow, we're supposed to take delivery of the range, refrigerator and microwave oven. Monday - concrete parking pad and sidewalk will be poured, delivery of remaining appliances. Tuesday-Thursday, Plumbers, electricians, trim guys doing some odds and ends. Painters return. Closet installation on Thursday. Carpet next Friday. Will meet with irrigation and lanscapers one evening next week to see what we can get done with the small budget we have for those items. Things are winding down on this project.

 

[rox]

Bmac,
You are always so kind to me. Thinking mroe about this, listening to the other suggestions ans your feedback, one idea I think might work, and kick it back to your wie, is window boxes under the windows on the right and left winds.

Painted shutters, color of your choice, with window boxs painted the same color, with flowers in the window boxes.

I know you won't take this the wrong way, becasue you do seem to welcome feedback. Check with the wif and decorator about instaling window boxes on the windows on the right and left wing. The more I look back at the photo, and considering the inside colors that your wife has picked out, very calming relaxing colors, I would tend to think that she might feel more comfortable with the front door and shutters adn possibly window boxes a shade deeper than the brick. Although I don't think a redish tinted front door will look poor, quite the contrary, the right shade, I think it will add interest. However based on what your wife has picked out so far, perhaps she can ask the decorator about matching to the brick as another alternative to consider.

I'm really glad I asked for the full frontal view of the home. It is fabulous, especially with the dumpster removed. It's really beautiful.

I reserved judgement on your floor colors, only saw the butlers pantry intitially. I jsut hought I would wait and see. I like it! I especially like it in the family room. Seeing the family room photo with the floor, also showed the fireplace. I know you have not got a specific plan on the surround for he fireplace. I believe you are going to trim it with wood. One idea would be to paint it the same color as the granit in your kitchen. You ahve so much white trim, that possibly you might consider not painting it white. Actually now that I think about it, what might look really prety is a faux paint finish. My husband did this in his restaurant and it came out beautiful. The painter used a terry cloth rag to introduce a secon and third color, to give texture to the paint. It was beautiful, that might look nice around your fireplace. So my 2 centimes....

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Bmac,
The floors look beautiful!!!

Now onto the front of the house, boy some real interesting reading for sure /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If I read anything into this thread, it is some serious honesty and respect of other TBN members and their evaluations of this project. And thats truly what this forum is all about, and what makes it so invaluable!

The only thing I have to add at this point is that some amount of color would make things more aesthetically pleasing IMHO.
Please keep in mind the amount of color and the associated maintainance of what may be added! And why do I make this point? On my Ct home, the entire home and garage is barn red. At one time all the trim was a dark brown, the contrast was quite nice, that is until I had to restain the house and all the triiiiiiim /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Not fun!

So I guess my vote is for a little more color, but keep it minimal on the amount of maintainance.

My Vt home is only 1000 sq ft, so its not too bad to do all my trim in white /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, and yes that home is barn red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Gee thats funny, all my tractors are red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scotty

 

[EddieWalker]

Hi Bmac,

Glad to hear we're still friends!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I remember you wanted your home to be a farm house in it's design, but forgot, or dont remember, that you wanted a white farm house. Somewhere in the designing of the place wth your archetect, I think some information didn't get to her, or she just got it wrong. To me, your home has more of a colonial plantation look to it.

Steph and I went back over some of your pictures of the interior. We both agree that the color and materials you chose creat a VERY WARM and INVITING home. The outside just doesn't convey the same feeling.

It could just be the picture, and it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.

When I built my little home, I had planned on it being white with a gray metal roof. I wanted a very rustic, primative look. As it came together, I realized that was a mistake in my vision and I needed to modify the picture in my head.

I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. Not good or bad, it's just what you have. If you're truly happy with it being white, than that's what's important. When you drive up to the house and the contrast to the surrounding trees and habitat is appealing to you, than ignore my comments.

Curb apeal is very important in setting the mood of how you feel when you see your home every time. A nice yard, beautiful landscaping and how your home looks in that setting is extremely important. But only to you, since it's your home.

Adding a little color here and there wont change anything. You have to be bold! Shutters and a little trim color won't change very much and the results will be minimal at best.

In my opinion, I think you are missing out on some very appealing visual features of your home because the white color is blending it all together. The center section is very impressive, but it is washed out by the side wings. The dormers are amazing, but again, they don't stand out for the same reasons. The large porch is everyones dream, but there's no apeal in it right now. It's just another part of the builing that you see, but doesn't have that warm, inviting feel to it.

I copied your picture and have been looking at it off and on for awhile now trying to see it in different shades of color. I've also been looking at your interior pics and just love the shades of color you used.

The yellow says farm house to me more than the other colors. I played around with your picture a littel to see what it would look like on one side versus the other side.

The space above the window on the wings also look unfinished. Even after putting shutters on them, I thought they needed soemthing above them. I think the same type of peak you used on your dormers really changes them and brings it all together.

Again, I'm sorry for being such a "know it all" and for "sticking my nose" into your project. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Eddie

 

[rox]

Eddien, to bad you couldn't have made your photo just a bit larger.

One thing I will add, I do like very very much, the faux dormer, or a the peak, you placed over the windows on the right and left wings. I like it a lot. If it were my hosue I would add something liek that. However I think I would go in more of a half circle above the windows. Rather than jsut a plain half circle I think I would have wood inserts, so that is would look kind of like a fan. I would have to see it drawn out to besure, however the faux dormers you show are really really nice.

 

[bmac]

Eddie,

To quote the captain of Road Prision 36 in Cool Hand Luke "What we've got here is... failure to communicate."

<font color="blue"> it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.
</font>

I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. Probably 90% of the houses in my current subdivision are white. With few exceptions, they are clad in vinyl siding. So, if this is not commonly seen in your area, I can see why you are having difficulties with it.

<font color="blue"> I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. </font>

I think you are right again. The question is - What exactly has this house evolved into? This discussion has led me do a little research. At the risk of alienating about 99% of TBNers who have been following this thread, I'm going to share some of the things I've discovered.

From www.architecturalhouseplans.com

<font color="green"> Common Characteristics of Farmhouse Plans:
Usually hipped roofed (sometimes gabled)
Often with hipped dormers
Traditionally roofed with split wood shingles
Clapboard siding
Typically two stories
"Cubic" shape main house with smallish footprint
Projecting eaves
Large porch with square supports
Typically with simple 1 over 1 double-hung windows
</font>

And, from PresidentHomes.com

<font color="green"> Originally, most farmhouses were built without the assistance of an architect and, unless the farmer was wealthy, only the space the family actually needed was constructed. As prosperity and families expanded, more space was added. While simple farmhouses with white wood siding predominate, the home of a more prosperous farmer might feature brick.

As the industrial era changed the housing needs of Americans, people moved into a new urban setting, and brought the architectural characteristics of the farmhouse with them – this may explain why so many rural enclaves look so similar. As you travel throughout the country it’s common to see streets salted with compact, two-story homes painted white or a pale pastel, enhanced with modest ornamentation and a welcoming front porch - all familiar farmhouse features. And because the simplicity of a farmhouse still conveys so much about America’s heritage, we still see new suburban homes harkening back to this way of living.
</font>


As I read these descriptions, I think our house certainly has many of the elements of farmhouse architecture. So, I then tried to find pictures of farmhouses to see if our house resembled any of the houses that were being presented as such.

I'll show a few, and here is the first one. As I look at this one, I see a white, 2 story, clapboard siding, plain vanilla facade, no ornamentation, no shutters, front porch (enclosed), one wing that appears to be an addition. Certainly, our house shares some of these features. But, let's not stop here, I have a few more.

 

[bmac]

OK, here's another example. Very plain, white clapboard siding. No shutters, no porch. Just a box, really.

 

[bmac]

Look at this one. Now, I can see alot of resemblance here to our house. The thing that sets apart is that bump out in the center. It is interesting, as I think back to our earliest drawings from our architect, our plans looked very similar to this. We thought the center section was just a little too plain so she added the bump out to jazz things up. Maybe we shouldn't have.