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Windows Remodeling Design Dilemma

Help With Exterior Windows & Front Entry Please!

Kimberly Barker

2 months ago

Hi all,

I've been working on updating my house (inside and out) for a while now, and when it comes to the exterior, I always get hung up on the windows and what to do with them. Then I end up doing nothing... They are getting to the point now, that they need to be replaced, so I'm afraid my time for procrastination is coming to an end. I hated those little square devil windows since the day I bought the house, but I figured I could make it worse by trying to change them. I guess I've made semi-peace with them, let's say, but I am totally open to suggestions. I also need a new door so I can coordinate that, too!

The only other info I should probably share, is that I'm planning on doing dark frames when I get to replacing all of the house windows, so I'm hoping that will help a bit to make them a little less annoying? Or not.

Anyway, thank you in advance for any suggestions/ideas! I also posted an older picture of the house entry area so you can see there are three sets of those little square windows there, and then the others are in my office.

Thanks everyone!

Kimberly

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Comments (3)

klem1
2 months ago
I'm not sure what you want to be told and if you are capable of doing anything with what you are told. Maybe this will help. ALL the little windows on porch can be removed along with framing, drywall and siding between them and there will be no weaking of structure. You are free to use your emagination on what to put in the holes created,including drywll and siding that make it look as though they were never there. The ones in office are more problamatic because I can't tell whether room inside has cathedral ceilings (the top window leads me to believe they are or top window has attic on other side. At any rate there's nothing that presents unusual problem with removing them and starting over. Now get a big hammer and vent your pent-up frustrations on them.
Rachel Lee
2 months ago
I would take out the ones at the entry, you could replace ONE set with a narrow window if you want the light. The office ones I would remove and replace with a set matching the other front ones. You’ll have framing and interior wall repair, but it’d be worth it.
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Ooooh! I love the one AndiK posted. My idea is similar...couldn't find a photo, so I worked it up in my design software. It's just the interior elevation looking toward the door of the ante room so you'll have to imagine being able to see through the glass to your front door. If I find a photo, I'll post it later. I think I recall there being a nice door set up for the ante room in the movie Uncle Buck starring John Candy & McCaulay Culkin. I looked for a photo online of it with no luck, but you could probably rent the movie and check it out first hand. I thought the Home Alone movie house had one, but while they had the ante toom, alas there was no door on it--just a cased doorway. Hope this helps! Keep us posted on what you decide!
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Yes, do what I did not do, pull the doors and then store them somewhere if you ever want to sell the house. IMHO, a round table, in front of the fireplace but moved out a bit so you can get around it, will look cozy and suit your daily needs. It's quite common in Victorian or European homes. You can expand when you have company. There's nothing wrong with people coming right into your house. You only open and close the door when they come and leave. The only thing to plan for is the dirt that will track in. With your hardwood floors, you're at an advantage compared to someone who had carpet. Here's a photo from the Pottery Barn web site. The table is even on sale now. They show it on the web page also matched with chairs similar to yours. Note: I don't have any affiliation with PB, it's just an example of what's out there. You could even get a little tea cart to put between the two chairs under the stairwell, and roll it to where it is needed for meals. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/tivoli-round-extending-pedestal-dining-table/?pkey=cround-tables&isx=0.0.4388
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Kimberly Barker
Original Author
2 months ago
Thank you for the comments and suggestions! Believe me, I have thought about taking them out altogether, but that's the majority of the light on that side of the house, so I'm afraid of totally getting rid of them. I was just hoping that there might be a way to reconfigure them I guess...Maybe make a single tall sidelight-type window on each of the the sets by the entry at least. But I just wonder if that would look even weirder in real life.

Klem - the office has a bump out and that small area is cathedral...Also yes, that's where the top window is.

Anyway, I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. Thank you very much.

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