Why do designers dislike flush mounts?
Corinne Masterson
4 years ago
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Why are Full Cornice Returns (AKA Mutton Chops) disliked here?
Comments (19)Like most enduring architectural details, the Greeks invented the cornice return. It is a very elegant design that is well understood by experienced carpenters and architects but sadly not well know to homeowners or many home builders. A "mutton chop" is not a different kind of cornice return but the absence of a cornice return. The cornice simply ends and is covered up with a board in the shape of the severed cornice. Instead of allowing the cornice moulding to turn and continue for a short distance at the end of the eave, a mutton chop simply chops off the cornice and covers its profile with a flat board that looks a lot like a cornice return that has been removed and badly patched. The reason this issue is so poorly understood today is that the Greeks did not attach gutters to their cornices and therefore could use a very elegant wrap-around detail that is still copied today. Today the crown and fillet of a Greek eave is replaced with a flat board that supports a gutter. At the end of the eave a builder must choose to end it with a flat board (mutton-chop) or carry the gutter around the corner onto the rake. The gutter return costs more than the mutton-chop so there you have the justification of the ubiquitous mutton-chop. As for French Country Style, it is, in general, a style made up by American designers and cannot be found in the country side of France. An architectural historian will tell you that the French never used front facing gables like the English did and therefore did not develop a tradition of cornice return details. Until the English discovered the antiquities, they allowed the end wall of their gables to expand and cover the end of a cornice. This is seen in the Cotswold Cottage and the Tudor styles which are the basis of most American eclectic French and English house designs. The prototype of an American version of a French house is a steep hipped roof and a turret with a pointed roof at the entrance. You won't find them in France but they were wildly popular in America in the 20's and 30's. If you want a French inspired house build with masonry and avoid all cornice returns or mutton chops. This post was edited by Renovator8 on Tue, Apr 22, 14 at 20:03...See MoreDisliking options: here's why.
Comments (4)In the white brick houses, people can never quite figure out what to do with those walls of glass that line the stairwell. It lets a lot of light in but it makes for exposure going up and down the stairs. The large walls of glass in my house are oriented toward privacy. However, this means we look out at a brick and stucco blank wall or at the parapet with a bit of a view over the top. The street facing windows are going to have to be multilayered, I think. Room darkening roller shades for nighttime light control, sheers for the day and probably curtains for evening privacy....See MoreHelp with flush-mount or semi-flush mount light choice
Comments (10)Thanks Cheerpeople. :) I went out to the new house and they were painting, so it was looking like a "real" house now, which gave me a much better perspective. Armed with tape measure and my circle of cardboard, I determined the diameter is fine. But as justgotabeme was saying, what surrounds it makes a difference. The lights would be next to a short wall from the ceiling because the room behind it has pony walls and open walls. But the "pony" wall continues at the ceiling and comes down 17" ish. That means the semi-mount fixture would hang almost as low as the end of that wall, and I'm afraid it will look too crowded. So I think the flush-mount is the way to go. I really do like the semi-flush one, but this area is adjacent to the foyer, which is going to have two very large chandeliers, and I don't want it to be so completely busy with multiple conflicting hanging fixtures that compete with each other! Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the help....See MoreFor those who dislike french door fridges, why?
Comments (32)I’m DEFINITELY with the group that DO NOT like FD style. Sorry to say this but - yes, I’m of the opinion the FD style is just another way to capture the market for people who have to have the latest en Vogue (anything) even if it doesn’t really make practical sense. I have stayed at two different family‘s homes over the past five years (they both love their FD frig designs) and I have used their FD frig(s) in multiple situations where there were large gatherings of people, with lots of food prep going on, as well as just daily food prep, putting groceries away, getting ice out of bottom freezer for drinks, to fill ice chest; opening the door to access the water and having to use both hands to press on the water dispenser while also holding the glass; putting away leftovers, etc., so I have plenty of experience with all aspects of their use - and I can say hands down that I would never purchase FD for my home. I have owned all other types of R/F configurations, and can say categorically this is not for me. I have just remodeled my home and purchased my newest S/S frig/freezer, and I LOVE it. This is my 3rd S/S (water/ice on outside of door) I’ve purchased in 25 years. (I still have the first one (largest) I purchased 25 years ago - sitting in my garage - and it works like a charm.) Many reasons for my personal choice: 1. I love the the front mount, easy access, ice/water dispenser for beverages (for all family members including children. I am not the mom that doesn’t want my kids to touch stuff.). You can set the glass down on the ledge for easy dispensing; the newest frig even has simple press of the button feature to fill, or hold glass against the lever if you prefer. If you need large quantities of ice, it’s simple to empty the ice maker, (that fits securely in the door and is a closed compartment design); which brings me to another problem I have with the FD ice maker - if you want to remove the ice bin you have to bend down, pull the bin out and then it’s open and seems pretty unsanitary even though it’s in the back; when the ice bin is full, it’s heavy to lift up and out, requires a strong back (and lots of space) if you want to pull the ice bin out to fill an ice chest, etc. 2. I don’t like to have to open both doors to see things: think about it - if there are multiple people in your home - unless you’re a kitchen freak - its hard to make sure everybody is putting the milk away in the same door each time, let alone on the same shelf. 3. Ok - I’m a busy girl and while I could think of many more reasons why I think the FD frig is a mistake - I would rather just stand here admiring my new remodeled kitchen while I place my glass on the ledge and let my automatic water dispenser fill my glass…..without having to open the door……...See MoreCorinne Masterson
4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agoCorinne Masterson
4 years agoKirsten E.
4 years agoJAN MOYER
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoUser
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2 years agoDebbi Washburn
2 years ago
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