You are here:

Architecture/Type of colonial? & adding a porch?

Advertisement

Expert: Rikki Nyman - 10/24/2009


Question

front of house
My husband and I bought this 1940's home about six weeks ago and plan to raise our family in it. However, we would really love a front porch. The porch would be utilized as a place to enjoy the outdoors. I see our family having coffee outside, eating breakfast, visiting with our neighbors etc. We really would like to be able to add a porch that looks like it was part of the originally architecture. Do you think this is possible?

Answer
One of the primary characteristics of a Colonial Revival is its symmetry. In looking at your home, I think you have several possibilities.

First, you could do very little to the house itself and simply move the landscaping out and add brick terraces in front on either side of the entry. Add a market umbrella and a nice patio set and you've accomplished your goal without affecting the façade. It might have a bit of a bistro feel ... not for everyone, but in a community-oriented neighborhood could be very nice.

You could add a full-width shed roof over a new porch. With Doric columns symmetrically placed, it would be an acceptable look. The downside would be to make the two front rooms relatively dark because you would be cutting out a lot of light.

Homes of this type and style were often added to during the 1920s. Porches and sun rooms were often attached but usually at the side leaving the façade intact. It would allow for a view of the neighborhood scene and some visiting, but wouldn't expose you completely. Personally, I would consider adding a covered porch to the left side of the house ... but that would depend on where the kitchen is relative to it.

There are many other possibilities of course, but I would try to retain the original symmetry.

Best regards,
Rikki Nyman
www.antiquehomestyle.com  

Rikki Nyman

Expertise

Residential architectural questions concerning houses designed between 1900 and 1950, where the question pertains specifically to styles, designs, plans, building materials, color schemes, paint colors, interior finishes and so on. I am NOT qualified to answer engineering questions or issues involving construction methods, plumbing, electrical and the like. For example, I can describe what an appropriate color scheme would be for a vintage 1920s kitchen, or sources for plans for Storybook Style houses. I can not tell someone how to replace the electrical wiring in their old home.

Experience

I have been researching old houses and writing about them for more than five years. (See www.antiquehomestyle.com, which is my site.)

Organizations
Oregon Historical Society Architectural History Center, Portland Oregon

Publications
www.antiquehomestyle.com

Education/Credentials
B.S. History, Minor in Architectural Design

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.