Single Gable Seeking an Attractive .... Accessory? Siding?
Sounds like a match dot com thing, but it's really just design dilemma.
We are in the framing stage for our elevated beach home. It will be a story and a half in a cottage/farmhouse style. I wanted to get ideas for the gable on the dormer room across the front of the home. Some ideas that I am bouncing around are having two different types of trim in the main gabled section - the regular hardi-plank siding that will be on the rest of the home and a vertical board and batten style or a combination. I also wonder about gable trim or faux attic vents or something over the windows? The windows along the front porch below this will have shutters, but I not these windows. Btw, the windows will be 2 over 1s. It's too late to order any other windows for this area. Any suggestions?
Comments (39)
houssaon
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
Seeking color/style advice for landscape blocks
Comments (7)By having depth of bed I don't mean to imply that one must plant and maintain it with a "jungly" appearance. It's just that any shrubs one might plant along the foundation are bound to easily eat up 4' of depth, even when maintained to modest proportions. Then, one would probably have something low -- perennial or groundcover -- growing in front of the shrub and it, too, could easily take up an equivalent amount of depth. start adding up the numbers and it becomes apparent that 4' seems stingy. Of course, if one plans only on a single row of shrubs, then 4' is workable. (But this seems like a less pretty solution than shrubs plus groundcover, perennial or some such thing.) It is not depth of bed that makes a difference between a "clean" look and a disheveled one. If you want a raised bed merely because you want it, then no more need be said. I get the impression you will, at least, do its construction justice. "... it would probably be better to let nature cover like it's going to try to do no matter what I put there." I'm certainly not suggesting that you allow weeds to take over. That is the death knell to any landscape. There are attractive groundcovers and perennials that can be maintained in a weed-free state for a clean, attractive and interesting appearance. Keeping the design simple leads toward a "cleaner" look. If there were weeds in the area previously, it requires diligence in maintenance until the ground-covering plants become fully established (then they become the "mulch.") In most cases, one mulches fairly heavily at the beginning, which helps keep weeds down. Pre-emergent herbicide can be very useful, too, but follow directions carefully, as you wouldn't want to also kill plants you bought and installed. One must put out the most anti-weed effort during the first year. (The main objective is NEVER let a weed flower and produce seed within the bed area -- which some will try to do within twenty-something days after sprouting by seed --as it will prolong the weeding process by another year, at least.) If one keeps up with it right along, weeding is less trouble the second year and after that, minor to nearly non-existent. What plants you use to cover the ground of the planting bed would depend on where you live and what grows well there, and what the design requirements are calling for in terms of height, interest and personality....See Moregable vent or window
Comments (15)I would take it down, replace it with something small like an eagle, if you're so inclined. Or leave nothing at all there. I hate to say this, but I agree with the others that the columns could be beefier. I think they may also look better if they were painted the color of your other trim and shutters (darker blue). If you have some large cardboard pieces, cut them in the shape of a thicker column, paint them, and strap them up there so you can get the visual effect. (You may have to squint a little to fool your eyes) That frieze (?) board over the columns may look nice in matching darker blue too. That's a wonderful entry door/sidelight combination....See MoreA circular dining room/angled kitchen - seeking advice/thoughts
Comments (32)I think the attempt at a colonial look just does not mesh with the organic modern look it also had. I know it was done often as well as with the Spanish look (stucco, beams, etc...), but I just don't care for it. I think you could bring it forward into a more 70s natural look. Keep the ceiling and the slate floor, and try to work in clean elements and curves. Using raised panel doors and those hinges just did not look great when new, so to recreate would be period appropriate, but a mistake. I think a retro modern kitchen and vibe would make the most sense. Like noted above, you can use regular cabs under a curved counter. I could see it looking groovy with vertical grain veneer cabs, some retro color accessories and modern art. You can do an older style in a fresh way. There is no need to be a slave to someone else's vision for it, whether the original owner/architect, or some future buyer. If you added curves to your pix from 15:42 today, that would be quite nice. I am not sure you should whitewash your wood, but it is not a bad option. I would hate to see it get painted though. The workmanship and lines of it are really nice and that would sully it. I don't see too many painted surfaces as working in your house. I can picture grass cloth wallpaper and maybe some white walls. Certainly, you should skip crown molding.... Some funky table lamps in chrome would fit in as would some plants and macrame. I'd try to go for an ahead of its time look from years ago.......See MoreWhat colour of shakes to gable ends? What colour of roof?
Comments (5)Have you considered using board and batten throughout and having a single color siding? As for roofing color, black is universally harmonious. If black is not appealing, how about red? Perfect with the green siding....See MoreLaurie Laville
3 years agoI do have one of those. I just looked it up and see that it actually has shutters on those two windows. I wonder if they will look strange? They are too small to fully cover the windows, so that might be weird looking? Also the windows on the shed dormers on either side of the gable dormer don't have shutters.
Laurie Laville
3 years ago
PROMark Bischak, Architect
3 years agoLooking at the overall design, more attention should be paid to the piers that raise the house another story. Leaving them exposed plain concrete leaves the house to appear unnaturally floating, creating an uneasiness. It is probably too late now, but incorporating the piers into the overall architectural deign of the house would make a better composition. It may be your piers effecting the perception of the dormer.
Laurie Laville thanked Mark Bischak, ArchitectLaurie Laville
3 years agoUser
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoThank you all for this advice. I will have two lights on the interior of this room, but not on the exterior although that would look great. Things gets so rusty on the coast and changing the bulbs would be a challenge. I'm not sure if shutters are required due to FEMA or some sort of code. If not, I think we will do away with them, if they are required then I am sure they will be the bi folding type. I appreciate the education regarding the proper terms. I don't want to be out of style a la saddle shoes etc. When working on the contract with our builder, I asked about shingles and it wasn't as budget friendly as was switching direction of the siding with a board and batten, but I agree that there is a lot of vertical going on, especially when the porch is finished. I found a picture of a a gable on a different home, it has sort of a craftsman style feature with the board and batten above it. I like this look. What say you?
Laurie Laville
3 years agoUser
3 years agoYour gable is less tall so vertical battens would look utilitarian especially with so many corner boards. I was suggesting shingles with wrapped corners and a wave pattern in the pediment. I don’t know if the photo will work.
User
3 years ago
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
3 years agoI went into my beach house folder and this is what I found for reference. maybe some of these details will be beneficial. I'm assuming you are installing a metal roof on this house. I wouldn't jazz up the gable too much.
- PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago User
3 years agoUser
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoThis is a long post as I don't see how to comment on each individual comment, so bear with me. There is a "prize" at the end for those who stay with me.
One of the earlier comments suggested that I add lights, so that is why I responded about the lights. I don't expect any beach invasions other than possible hurricanes. (Katrina wreaked havoc here before.)
It's not going to be a farmhouse but since I like that style, it might have elements of that style.
This house or versions of it are becoming quite popular in the area. Due to the fact that houses along the Gulf Coast have to be elevated and the prices for each pier is very expensive, this design gives more living area with only 19 piers required. It has a side porch allows for us to take advantage of the beach view both in front and on the side. It has a charming look with attic style bedrooms on the second floor.
Years ago the original version was a Spec house that our builder and a draftsman created. Since it has become very popular, attempts are being made to distinguish new iterations of the house from others. One of the ways to set it apart is to tweak the dormer and stairs. This dormer combination across the front of the house started out as a shed dormer bunk room.
Since the house has an open floor plan on the main floor, I wanted to have a place for kids to go if they are watching tv. I researched Nantucket Dormers and this Reverse Nantucket allowed for a little sitting area with a 'vaulted' ceiling (I hope that is the correct term) in between two bed nooks. The increase in ceiling height will hopefully help this narrow room appear to have more space.
I just worried about the look of the dormer. I didn't want it to appear too massive. I also wish the pitch was higher so I could achieve that board and batten at the top look, just because I like that look rather than all the same siding. Some homes in the area have shingles in the very top portion, but as I mentioned there was added cost for that and as this is a second home, we are trying to watch the budget.
The original plan had this portion of the roof at a 4/12 pitch. I asked for an increase and got a 6/12. I think that was as steep or whatever as the plan could go due to the overall roof size. I hope that what is built is a 6/12. Can anyone determine that by looking at what is framed in so far?
We are building a bench seat in the 2' nook created by extending the gabled portion out to 9' from the original plan that had only a single shed dormer for the entire room at 7' . This gives us the two bed nooks in the shed areas and a built in bench seat flanked by two built ins. The built ins will have three drawers at the bottom and a two door cabinet at the top. The thought is to give people a place to hang clothes or stow suitcases. I wanted the bench seat to have open bookshelves (with accessories and lights facing it on both sides) but that took too much space from the little closets. The built ins can still be tweaked if anyone has suggestions.
The nooks will have either full or queen beds on platforms with casters to help change the sheets. We come from a large family and want to accomodate as many couples as possible which is why we aren't doing single bunks. I plan to have rollaway twins for kids to use that will be stored in the attic space to use as needed.
I saw a picture that I'll attach that had lights above the area. That is the tentative plan. I guess I could try to get smaller lights to extend from the sides of the built in closets, but wasn't sure if that would affect the headroom if one wanted to lean back.
I'll attach pictures that were inspirations. We can still tweak some things. I just thought that all the same siding looked a little boring and I liked that picture of the batten on top. So am I right in assuming that that will not work?
PS If you hung with me through this long post, here is a virtual cocktail to you. (Imagine a raised glass because I do not have the skills to add an emoji of same.)
User
3 years agoUser
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years ago
This is basically the same house and is just around the corner from our house. To try and differentiate, we put our porch on the left side of the house and changed the grand staircase to be switch back stairs on the right front side of the house giving a gallery effect to the front porch. We increased the size of the windows along the porch and will have shutters. We also have two windows in the upstairs bedrooms and plan to have a French Quarter light hanging from the ceiling over the door and the different dormer that we have been discussing. At this point I am considering just keeping the siding as it is on the dormers since the roof will be shingles as well.
Laurie Laville
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years agoUser
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoI doubt it will be possible to tell if the siding is painted clapboards or stained resawn shingles except for the absence of corner boards.
This photo is of pine clapboards and corner boards on the main body of the house and cedar shingles without cornerboards on the dormer.
- Laurie Laville thanked User
Laurie Laville
3 years agoLaurie Laville
3 years ago
Here are the latest pictures. I am asking the builder about code requirements regarding shutters. I would love any advice or feedback.
Laurie Laville
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoLaurie Laville
2 years ago
Here is the finished house! We love it! Thanks for all of the tips and advice. SOme of the things that were suggested weren't in the budget, so this is the finished product. The lot to the left is going to have a very large two story home at an angle facing away from us, so my next quest might be shutters to put on the back half of the screened porch. They won't build for awhile, so we are enjoying that view as long as we possibly can!
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