I think it's charming. I think what makes it old is just throwing an awning up there with nothing else. The lighting, the plants, the furniture, etc....makes it all charming.

I think the gray stripe choice without the scalloped edge would look super.

What about a pergola? Not what you asked, but it'd create some shade???

We do retractable here (for the sake of high winds) and they pretty much recede when retracted so aesthetics aren't much of a concern. A permanent wood/metal awning would also look lovely and if your windows are south facing you can calculate an angle to mostly let sun in in the winter (sun low in sky) and out in summer. Doesn't work if east facing of course

Love awnings. There is an awning for every house style these days. I think it adds lots of character.

Thinking that an architectural hardscape feature would appear more 'finished' and visually cohesive. Pergola, arbor, sorta shed roof-ish thingey. Maybe incorporate same/similar element at other doors/windows of your home.

I love awnings too, and agree that certain architectural styles lend themselves very well to the addition of awnings. I would never have made a funeral home association (must be regional?), but do tend to associate awnings with vintage, character-filled homes, as that's mostly where I see them in my area.

I think they would look fabulous!

If the room faces east and sunrise is the problem, will an awning even help?

I like the ones that anitamo posted. Around here, the fabric ones look fine (somewhere between charming and hideous) when they are first installed but they deteriorate very quickly.

We have shade sails and love them. The definitely keep the deck cooler, and even offer some protection from drizzle/light rain. Because the fabric is mesh, they breath and don't trap hot air underneath, and can withstand most sudden thunderstorms. There's a place in Belfast or Searsport which makes custom shade sails and they can be incredibly beautiful, with many colors to choose from.

Thanks, all. I have contacted the local person who did all my WT and reupholstering to see if she knows anything about fabric awnings.

For those of you suggesting structures, I don't think that would work here and I also like the idea of stripes stylistically.

The awning would be for the 2nd floor deck off the MBR:

ETA - Sheehs, IDK, good question. This is not about sun in the room, it is about wanting to sit on the deck in shade from above, if that makes a difference. We are facing the ocean so yup, East.

I was also going to suggest retractable, something like these with Sunbrella fabric. I think it is a practical choice as well as can be charming given the other décor that fits with it. I think the grey stripe to blend with your shake siding would work (no scallops).

I think it would look very appropriate on your gorgeous home! Love awnings, unless they are old, faded, torn...

They would like quite appropriate for you house. Disagree they are old fashioned (except for the old metal type). They are found all over Savannah, from stately mansions, bungalows & beach homes.

I think the sun will have to be awfully high for an awning to help before 11 am. There are no trees or anything to block the sun. Or the view, which must be beautiful!

Sheesh, after 11am is fine. We are not exactly early risers ...

And, yes!

PS Your landscaping is looking great! Hint hint pool reveal hint hint. Unless I missed it.

That was last year! The landscape guy actually sort of pivoted that flower bed 90 degrees., to give us a more open lawn for games.

I just took some photos but the landscaping is all new and not grown in yet. Can't you wait for the professionals when they shoot it in 1-2yrs?

I will try to sort through them. Anything for you, Robo, who is going to help me resettle northward this November, if need be.

I prefer them on stucco homes. They look great on Spanish stucco homes like mine. However, I'm no a fan of them for your home. Too busy with the roof lines etc. I would do a wooden overhang of some sort in that spot.

I like these understated awnings. Note they have a retractable over the French doors (SF)

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What are you using now? I would be tempted just to have one or two patio umbrellas up there this summer to see how much you will sit out on the balcony. Not a big investment, and simple enough to take down when not in use.

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1929

Hmm, I think the first poster was implying that as well. I guess I don't see that, because stucco is very rare in New England. I don't want any more structure there.

Oaktown,

I use it now ,, I like the sun. I sit out there to comb out my hair after a shower. I think we would use it more; we live on our verandah. I can't explain why i think an umbrella would look odd... have to think on it

Is a pergola within your budget and style? You can have a nice one installed and then train some climbers up and over it.

If the umbrella thing is something you would consider, there is a half round umbrella available. For those with deck or balcony not wide enough for a 8 or larger ft. Space. That said, I like the awning idea.

Jnavarro, I love pergolas , have a very large one here at my primary home with lovely vines. But it does not provide cover from the sun, and I don't think it would look right on a second floor deck

A retractable awning might be best. It looks like you probably get some weather on that deck, so I'd want something that could be shut down in the wind.

I think that they look fantastic. They remind me of when I was in Charleston.

I think that they look fantastic. They remind me of when I was in Charleston. Very charming!

The very first picture, the dark-and-white stripe with the scalloped edge, reminded me of walking up under such an awning and ordering a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone.

I think an awning would look good and be very functional. We added a retractable one to the sliding door to the balcony on our condo second floor that gets the full brunt of afternoon sun, causing that room to be much hotter than other rooms in our home. The awning make a huge difference, and being able to raise and lower it to the desired height adjusts the amount of light/shade we want.

Charming. I do think with the ocean breeze I would consider retractable.

I like awnings, but it seems like the fabric would deteriorate quickly in salt air & winds, & umbrellas not only would rot but also would get shredded by the winds.

Our summer sun is brutal (north central Texas), & it seems to me that the best "covers" are covered patios & free-standing pergolas.

They needn't be expensive, & you can mount bamboo shades or Roman shades that you can roll down when the sun gets too intense.

I don't know if sandy beach soil would support them, but people here often plant deciduous vines on slatted wood pergolas; they provide leafy shade during the summer & die back so the winter sun warms the area.

Have fun!

I think they look classic. I have seen some that don't look nice, but you wouldn't have picked those anyway.

Yes, IKWYM about awnings, but I am biting the bullet with a retractable for our due south deck off the kitchen. We have serious wind considerations. We cannot have permanent nor do I want that option as we like to be out there coffeeing, open sky, in the morning when the sun is not direct. And I just do not like any awnings enough to have them permanent. I bought this land for the views and just need to mitigate the sun issue.

So I found this company with More custom options that I like

For some reason I cannot often add a photo any more but they have a square scallop edge that appeals to me.

So yes for your darling house I would do an awning and make it retractable for options to have it go away when not needed.

I think it looks absolutely charming!

I cannot take the sun. So some type of awning is an absolute necessity. The more solid, light blocking, the better. How is the room on the inside? Did the awnings adversely affect or improve it? The view of the deck from the room would be wonderful.

Our former home had a beautiful ocean view from the deck. We spent little time there......until we added a trellis style roof, with the portion closest to the house/french doors a solid roof: this for protection from rain. After the cover went on, the deck was in use daily. It made an amazing difference and became a delightful room . Awnings would not have exactly that effect but would make your balcony far more usable. Sunshade aside, there is an innate desire to sit under cover. Visit a patio cafe on a dark day, where most choose tables with an umbrella. I've no idea how a solid structure would look , but am sure it would be the most practical. I think awnings would look quite fine. I liked best the solid greens *robo posted . Before going the fabric route, however, I'd ask around. Those are harsh conditions for fabric to weather. :)

* robos help: is there a move farther north in your future?

Beautiful house! And I love the striped awnings - to me they feel like a Paris cafe, not lame at all. Here's a quick mockup of one on your house. (The picture I superimposed has a tree branch in front of the awning so please forgive the blotch in the middle.)

Will an awning give you enough cover to sit out there under cover, but still leave enough room to sit uncovered? I picture sitting on that balcony under the stars at night, so would not want to be under cover at night. However to fully give my advice I think I need to try it in person, with a morning coffee and an evening glass of wine. :)

I think the mockup awning that Chicagoans did is just beautiful!

While I love the mock up with the black/white striped awning, I associate it with a cafe/restaurant. Imo, a navy/white stripe or solid navy, possibly trimmed with white, would be ideal. Who wouldn't love an awning?

An awning would look great with your style of house and the setting. Obviously, replacing it when it becomes worn is a given - for Mtn anyway!

The 3rd and 4th words of your post clinched it for me, absolutely!

Awnings are timeless. if used on the right home will always look classy.

Hm, honestly? I associate them with Mediterranean house styles.

We always had dark green/white striped ones on the kitchen windows of our 200-year old house growing up in Massachusetts and they looked nice. I don't remember them having to be replaced very often. The neighbors across the street from me here in Virginia have black and white striped ones and they look charming. I think it can be very suitable in New England for sure. I wish I could post a pic of my neighbors house because its so pretty with the awnings but I guess I shouldn't do that! ETA the only concern might be heavy snow sitting on them when you're not there in the winter.

Looking at the original picture, I say yes to the awning ... no to the overly elaborate railing and especially no to the fussy wooden "backdrop" that's blocking the brick wall.

We have solar shades on the exterior. See-through from indoors. When rolled up they are inside a casing that matches the house color and is nearly invisible. Our air conditioning cost dropped by 50%. With the remote control you can open or close them when needed.

Those pictured make me swoon. I've always loved canvas awnings-it's the tin or corrugated metal ones I can't stand-those look old lady like and remind me of mobile home parks.