It should be very helpful looking at a book from the same era that your home was built. I haven't seen this book but it is only available on short term loan at the local Architecture School Library so it must be in use for some course. Yes, LinLee's "formal whimsy" is a good description of that era. Edwardian gardeners were in rebellion against the Victorian "bedding out" style; that is planting beds of tender annuals in concentric rows or patterned beds (for example floral clocks). The Edwardians replaced the formal Victorian style with beds of hardy shrubs and perennials organized loosely for height and colour. Sharon.

Wow, thank you everyone! I'm not entirely sure how I will make the cuts but I finally understand how it should be done! Thank you so much for your advice, I'm hoping this project may become the beginning of a new hobby. I love basic carpentry for the house but this will be my first furniture attempt. I had been considering what seems to me to be a simpler style (since all I have is a jigsaw, chopsaw and hacksaw) joined by bolts instead of mortise and tenon...I couldn't find a good picture so I threw this togeether as a side and front view, would this be better? I like the look of both tables. From house

I have a different take on this house. I find the 2 tudor peaks odd. There is no other Tudor detail anywhere else on the front of the house and while the peaks are the same shape, they have different detailing. I would change this so that the peaks look exactly the same, maybe adding a window to the left side. I would replace the Tudor details with decorative siding and paint the same colour as the trim. As for painting the brick, I would start by painting all the trim a lighter colour (including the peaks) then see how it looks. This is a very pretty house and would look better in a light colour. But because it's a big decision, perhaps go in stages and leave the decision to paint the brick to the very last. Good luck!

@arcy_gw, yes, I don’t like the stair spindles either. The plan was to paint them, but the painter did not feel I would be happy with the result because they are heavily distressed and where to start and end was problematic. Or maybe he was burned out. We will likely replace the stair railings down the line. @jjam, the hardwood floors are actually white oak, not red oak, as originally suspected. We used the Bona system: Bona NaturalSeal x 1 coat, followed by Bona Traffic HD Commercial Extra Matte x 3 coats (2 would have sufficed - the third was precipitated by a goof that couldn’t be fixed with spot coating). Love them!!