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Building a Home Design Dilemma entry

Is this window weird not centered?

3 years ago

2 things: Is the window awful not being centered? The problem with it centered is that it would be weird from the exterior, part of it behind a front porch pillar. Any ideas what to do with the wall space if I leave it like this?
Next, should the entry door swing toward the closets or the railing? I don't like having a closet door behind a door, but I guess you want to visually open the door to your beautiful home not the closet, right? Thanks!

Featured Answer

ci_lantro

3 years ago

Eliminate the porch gable and extend the entry way gable. Larger porch & you can center the window.

Comments (22)

Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago
eld6161
3 years ago
Is this a new build?
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You want to center around the most prominent and proximate feature, which, in this case is the window. Center the table and the light around the window. What happens on either side of the window won't matter as it is already different...in width, in door placement. Strict symmetry is only for a very formal space, which this is not; or often an aid for novices who don't yet trust their eye to create balance through massing and scale. Go to houzz.com and look at some kitchens with tables...if you look closely, you'll see a lot that is far from perfect symmetry or balance, but it all works together. For example, this kitchen...the table is not centered on the island, the island lights are not centered relative to the table, but they are over the island... and the dining light is centered over the dining table....each is appropriate to its own space.
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How much hand-washing do you do--sterling/silverplate, crystal, plastics, pots and pans? Or, do you throw everything in the DW? That would factor into the decision---if you throw everything in the DW, then you are mostly looking down while you scrape the plates and load the DW. But if you hand wash many items and enjoy gazing at the view as you work, then an off-center sink will work better. Also, how much prepping do you do before cooking? Chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, canned vegetables, or do you cook from scratch, and spend a lot of time rinsing and chopping vegetables and meats? If the latter, then the solid wall will be in your view while prepping, if the sink is under the left window. A couple of other things to consider are 1) distance from sink to range and 2) distance from sink to fridge. NKBA's recommendation for prep space is 48" (36" minimum), so with the sink centered on the studs, you'll have the perfect amount of prep counter. With the sink offset, you'll have an extra step or two between the sink and range, but extra steps are good exercise. :) The recommended max distance between any two appliances in a work triangle is 9' (108"), but in the plan with the off-centered sink you'd have almost 11.5' (136"). Again, just a step, or two, so if you don't cook a lot, it won't make that much difference. The island, as drawn, also intersects the path between sink and fridge, (but not more than the NKBA recs), but I have an idea which will eliminate that and incorporate the support posts. Other advantages to having the sink closer to the range, are that it leaves more prep space on the left side, for a helper, and more space to store dishes on that side, so a helper can unload the DW, or gather dishes to set the table, without interfering in your prep tasks. I'm posting this here, instead of the other thread, to save time. You might consider using a table/island combo, with the table being the same width as the outside measurement of the posts. NKBA guidelines GW Kitchens discussions--dishes in drawers
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Not sure how much you want to spend on the project but here is something to consider. Have a carpenter gut the bookshelves and build in a dresser on each side. It might feel like you are removing some of the character of the room, but you still have the unusual ceiling and the adorable window seat. Make the fronts for the drawers decorative with moldings and interesting pulls. With two dressers you would achieve more clothing storage, and if you had the top a bit lower than the molding there would be room for deco items. Then you could put your bed on the centered window with drapes on either side the width of the bed. You would also have room for two nightstands and access to each side. Nightstands with shelves would accommodate your books. I would also get a lower headboard. If you get a different bed the existing light fixture might work. I also like the idea of painting your ceiling the same color as the walls. If you think that might be too dark, paint it half strength. Alternatively, I would do what Lynartist suggested. Lamps, mirror, etc can come after furniture placement is decided. Good luck, it's a lovely room!
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Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago
@eld6161 Yes it is a new build.
Cynthia
3 years ago
It's awkward...can you do a double window there instead?
Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago

@Cynthia This is what it looks like from the front. The designer said if it's in the middle then it will be too close to that pillar. I'm waiting for him to change it so I can see both ways. I'm not sure about a double window.
eld6161
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I would choose another designer. How things look inside for me is even more important.

Head over yo the Building a Home forum. Lots of folk we are in the process or almost done who can give you feed back.
bpath
3 years ago
Is the window on the same vertical plane as the door? Or is it set back from the door, and how much?
Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago
@bpath Yes that wall is flat, no inset door or anything.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
The window is not the only weird thing in the space. The ceiling needs rethinking and if you are in a cold climate the whole entry needs rethinking.
Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago

@Mark Bischak, Architect The design is based upon this photo. Uh oh. Yes cold weather, what needs rethinking? Why?
Lyndee Lee
3 years ago
I think it is OK if the window center lines up with the center of the upper portion of the stairs so you will see a centered view as you walk down those steps. It is difficult to determine that from your rendering
Sarah M thanked Lyndee Lee
Jennifer K
3 years ago
In a cold-weather climate, you want more of a closed vestibule around the entrance to provide a sort of air-lock that keeps all your hot air from rushing out and all the weather from rushing in. You'll also want space for people to take off their coats and boots. A bench makes this easier, so space for that would be good too.
bpath
3 years ago
If they are on the same plane, you could eliminate the smaller Gable on the outside, move the window over it have two windows.
Sarah M thanked bpath
rrah
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
It looks odd to me on the exterior because it's longer than the windows on the left of the door or the window to the right of it. And yes, I think it looks a bit odd on the interior too.
Design Girl
3 years ago
Why is the window longer in that area? It looks odd from the outside having it taller than the others.
Sarah M thanked Design Girl
cd7733
3 years ago
Your inspiration has the window centered on the staircase. It works on the inspiration since it has a narrower front porch. The window is also shorter than the one drawn.

http://www.realfithousewife.com/2016/07/welcome-to-my-home-our-little-slice-of_20.html

https://www.facebook.com/leslie.kortes
Sarah M thanked cd7733
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
Here in Michigan I try to isolate the entries to avoid the exchange outdoor air at an extreme temperature with indoor air at the other extreme temperature.

If you are going to use fake exposed structural members like shown in the image provided, locate and size them as if they are real. To me the elements in the image look pretentious and resemble a Mr. Potato House where desirable elements from multiple architectural styles are stuck together without regard for continuity or composition or honesty.
Sarah M thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
strategery
3 years ago
Agree with you, it looks weird. Would look weird on left, centered or right.
Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago
@Mark Bischak, Architect There is definitely a lot going on in the inspiration photo. I'm just doing 3 "collar tie" style beams in the living room. None in the entry. Will hang a nice chandelier or pendant light though. The ceiling over the steps won't be coffered or whatever you want to call that either. I'm pretty much to the point where changing the whole entry is out and to be honest it probably won't be used a ton especially in the winter so I'm OK with it being drafty there. Thanks.
Sarah M
Original Author
3 years ago
@Design Girl The window was that length on the plan I based some of my layout on. I think so you can see out the window from the landing, but maybe you're right, and it should be shorter.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
This looks very contrived to me, and worse in the inspiration image.

And I would center the window(s) in the stairway regardless of the window height. Alter the exterior to make it happen.

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