I like Option # 1&2 the best. A Pergola belongs in the back.

As an architectural draftsman, I can tell you that the problem with option 2, is that the pitch of your proposed gable would have to be the same pitch as that which the house currently has, in order to look appropriate in scale. From the photo you provided, it looks as though it may be approximately a 4/12 pitch, and this, applied to a gable configuration, would not be aesthetically pleasing.

A shed roof, as shown in option 1, would look much better with this type of roof design. That said, if it were me, I would go with option 1. If you have an 8' depth to the porch, you'll have plenty of room for seating for two. With a shed roof, the length of the porch would not be 60' if your house is 60' wide, unless you hip the end portions of the roof line, which adds considerably to the cost. It would probably be more like 40'. It's difficult to give you precise dimensions based off a photograph, so this is just an approximation.

Kahlanne,

First of all, I love painted brick. That being said some brick textures don't look as good as others when painted.

I think your home would be precious painted a putty color (like the color of the doors and windows in picture one) with darker color putty operable shutters and a stained 4 or 6 true divided light wooden door.

Second, where are you from? Are you from Louisiana? I ask this b/c I don't know if you know whose home that is you have posted in your first picture, but if not that is A. Hays Town's personal home.

Forgive me if you do know whose home it is. I was just so excited to see it on your posting. If you have seen any of my other postings, you will know that I go on and on about his architecture!!!!

You can totally achieve the Hays Town look (not just that home inparticular) with your home esp. with your hipped roof line and do the pergola off of the back.

Our future remodel is with his style.

Shannon

I think a pergola to the right would look great, same as a new glass front door : ) I would put a water feature to the right also, so when ppl walk by it sound nice and they see it. I wouldn't put a large tree/bush in the corner near the entrance since it would block the beautiful view of the door, but maybe a clematis or something similar climbing the pergola: )
Here is an example http://image12.webshots.com/12/3/88/5/136738805DOImyH_fs.jpg

Here are a mock up......but with out plants. I'll post some ideas later.
HTH
{{!gwi}}

Can you stand at the entrance to your front door when it's raining and not get wet? If not, then I vote for option 1 or 2.

I'm in the camp that prefers that brick not be painted. Yours looks fine. When you paint it, you turn a virtually maintenance-free surface into something that will require maintenance. Also, your bricks are multi-colored, so that adds interest to the house. Good luck.

Newhomebuilder, thanks so much for the vote.

Lynne Melb, yes, you can stand at my door and not get wet due to the large eaves and inset door. Does this change your vote now?

Saskatchewangirl, thanks so much for the help especially the mockup. I love water features and agree the sound would be wonderful. As for the door, I would love to have a glass door but so far haven't found one that I love yet. There is only enough room for a 36" door without sidelights. Matter of fact, I would prefer my nice wooden door, without storm door, and sidelights but there just isnt room.

Shannon, thanks so much for the help. Yes, I am from Louisiana, near Baton Rouge matter of fact, and knew it was a design of A Hayes Town but didn't realize it was his residence. I saw the book at a store and fell in love with this picture. I googled it and came up with it but no info on it really. Now I must get the book!

I love the idea of having my home have this type of look. I am just not sure how to get it. Any advice?

Nanny2, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. I know nothing about rooflines but I know that I want something different from what it has now. Thanks for letting me know that #2 won't work. I don't know what the pitch of the roof is. Can you explain that to me or is it too complicated?

As for the length of the house, it is 60'. I wouldn't mind the porch only being 40' I never considered it. So you think a roof is workable with our pitch and length? The overhangs of the house are 3' deep already, not sure that matters but thought I would add it just in case.

Thanks again, and any info you can give is much appreciated!

Nanny2 and anyone else that can help. I actually found our house plans. Can't believe they made it through two previous owners. Anyway, the plans have the pitch of the roof. It is 6/12 on the majority of the roof but there is a little "kick out", don't really know what to call it at the bottom that is 3/12. I guess that is for the 2'6" overhangs? Does this help any?

Recently, I watched a curb appeal show where they had an enclosed area and they painted several shades lighter than the house color. They talked about if you painted it the same color it would look like a dungeon. Instead of painting it creamy white, I would try for something light that blends with your brick, then change the front door color so it stands out.

Kahlanne,

Just in case you ever wanted to drive by his home it is on Stanford Avenue in Baton Rouge. If you are driving towards Highland Rd. it would be on your left, if you are driving towards the interstate it would be on your right. It is near the lake. :)

His book is AWESOME!!! You can find it in most any bookstore, esp. if you are near Baton Rouge. The B&N has it also the LSU Bookstore has it. Many a night I have fallen asleep with his book studying picture after picture.

If this is the look you are going for, I would definately get his book and study those pictures, paying attention to colors of his exteriors (windows, doors, columns, etc.).

Another thing to do (with this $12 a gallon gas) is to drive thru the neighborhoods in BR and around. They can give you many an idea for colors, etc.

Your home has the structural make-up to acheive a Hays Town look. I personally would definately paint the brick. I have painted brick and have no maintenance issues; however, I do have a smooth textured brick so that may make a difference. I can't tell if yours is smooth or rough. I do know of a lot of rough brick painted houses as well and I don't know of them ever having any maintenance issues either.

With your windows, I think I would paint the exterior a putty color and use a deepter putty color shutter. I prefer operable with darker hardware to match your windows. With your house you could go either Board and Batten or Louvered on the shutter (matter of preference). I would paint the inset part of the entrance the deeper putty color as well with a stained red cedar true divided light door. There are many builders of these doors in the Baton Rouge area (like the ones of all of the new construction).

As far as the porch, if possible considering the roof, you could definately do that as well. I am going to post another picture of a house (inspired by Hays Town) in Alexandria (which is totally awesome on the inside) with a porch similar to his. You could use the 10x10 or 8x8 beams with a pressed sheet metal roof. I too would only put it across a portion of the front not the entire house. If possible, using reclaimed brick for the floor.

I cannot tell if you have an exterior light or not but that is another place where you could achieve his look.

If it turns out that the porch is not an option look into copper awnings for above your front entrance. You can google "copper awnings" and get many ideas and most of the craftsman are in the BR area.

I am brimming with ideas. I just get so excited when it comes to his architecture. If this doesn't work you could just purchase one of the two homes he designed for sale in BR (only around a mil)! :)

Also look on FSBOBR.com and CJBrown.com for inspirational pics.

Ok, I can't get the picture to work, but if you want to just email me at shannonrider55@hotmail.com I will send them to you.

Shannon

It would be possible to add a porch with a shed roof to the front of your house that resembles the one in the A. Hayes Town's home photo. If you look closely, you'll see that this porch doesn't extend the full width of the front of the house, either. You can see the section on the right where the tree is that is not roofed, probably for the same reason that I'm explaining that yours wouldn't extend the full width.

Not knowing what the building code is for your area, I would say that any competent building contractor should be able to determine the precise length measurements for you, and get plans drawn up to submit to your local building department for approval, (if necessary).

For resale value, (and you should consider this), a roofed porch will add considerable more value than a pergola would. I personally think it would be a mistake to add a pergola to the front of this home.

Kahlanne,

Finally able to get the pictures loaded to photobucket!!!

This is the house I was telling you about above. It is in Alexandria and was featured in Southern Living in February '05.

The couple who live here are really wonderful and she gave me a tour one Sunday afternoon several years ago. It is to die for!!!

It is not a Hays Town original but definately inspired by him. They had a wonderful builder/remodeler to do this home. Believe it or not this home used to look like the "Brady Bunch House" (her words not mine).

Anywho, if you have any more questions I would be glad to offer my help. As I said earlier, anything to do with him as the inspiration is candy for me!!!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Please excuse the handwritten notes, that is for my own remodel!!!

Shannon

You could use more colorful window shutters, a new style door or paint existing door to add more color also.

Some low voltage lights and or some small scrubs lining your walkway would look amazing also.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ready Exterior Shutters