John, I'm guessing that "tasty" meant something different back then. For example, "possessing of good taste." :) Here in Salem, Mass., we have lots of Federal Period homes (late 1700s to early 1800s) with a smattering of 17th-century homes. Many have been lovingly restored, along with gardens, from lithographs and drawings of them that were found in historical writings. There is also the famous House of the Seven Gables (as depicted in Nathanial Hawthorne's book), with it's 17th-century grounds. For many years, the head gardener there designed and maintained very period-authentic gardens for the house. A few years ago, a new head gardener came aboard and completely re-worked the historical gardens. Some local historians have lauded his efforts, while others disapprove because they say the results are too avant-garde. I haven't been there to see the work that has caused the bruhaha, so this spring I'll make a point of going over there to see how the gardens were renovated.

Welcome, Carrie. On a smaller scale, many local town historical societies have properties where they maintain gardens with varying degrees of historic accuracy. Here in Old Saybrook, where I live, the Hart House garden is mostly laid out in a way that it might have been when the Hart family was in residence, and the volunteers who plant and maintain it try to use only plants that were in use during that period. If you contact historical societies in your area, they can tell you if they have gardens, and being history nuts, will probably have a good idea how accurate their restorations are, and will likely be happy to share information with you. Jo

But those columns are appropriate for an 1870s Victorian house! Which what it is. And they appear to match the brackets very nicely. (They may be replacements, but if so, they were chosen carefully and are quite stylistically correct.) Don't confuse a "New England Colonial house with a house built when New England was a colony, i.e. prior to 1776, or the early 19th century. NE Colonial is not really an architectural style, it's more realtor-speak. There are "Colonial Revival" houses but they are later around turn of the century (1900) and are not like yours in massing or style. Those turned polychrome (multi-coloured) columns are a perfect, and most likely original, element of your house. Fancier and fatter columns would be funny looking - and look like you were trying to fake-up an earlier period by applying Greek Revival (1820-1860) details. Best of all, you seem to have almost a full set. You can have another one made to match the others on the big porch. The only really odd (visibly altered) element are the shed dormers. I went back and really studied your picture for signs that this house has any 18th- early 19th c details, i.e. "Colonial" (tried to see Federal, or Greek revival) and I just can't see it. It really looks to me like a very nice and surprisingly intact vernacular late-Victorian structure. With nice porch posts! Aside from removing the siding, and considering adding corner boards, the only other things I'd consider would be blinds (shutters) and painting the storm window/door trim so it doesn't flash so much. You might find some opportunities for some fancy brackets (supports) under the bay window if the bay doesn't extend down to the floor. And with the siding off you may find evidence of some trim bands under the roof edges along the gable ends. Having contrasting trim there would serve to weight down the roof line visually and conteract the startled-eye look you have right now. If the trim was paintd the dark grey color, that would do the trick I think. (I expect you'd find evidence of that sort of trim if you take off the vinyl.) L

Yes, we repaired shutters constantly for years - no money for new ones. They were held together with filler, paint and a prayer! We finally broke down and bought new shutters. I am very picky and want shutters that are on hinges, not screwed to the house, and I want them to be wide enough to be able to close over the complete window. No, they never will be closed, but the proportions just don't look right if they can't. Finding shutters that wide was a challenge, but then we discovered Timberlane shutters online. On my! They are gorgeous and SO well-made. We sprang for all except on front 3 windows about 13 years ago. They arrived pre-primed and still don't need painting. When I replace the 3 big, long window's shutters about 3-4 years ago, I went with a local millwork shop as the shipping on the Timberlane was very expensive. The ones I had made are nice, but can't compare with Timberlane. My daughter just bought new shutters for the front of her house from Timberlane - got them painted a very dark black/green. They look fabulous. I don't know where you live, but if within a reasonable drive to PA, buy the Timberlane and pick them up yourself - will save a lot of shipping cost. You're ultimately going to have to get new shutters.