I WANT MY HOME TO LOOK FRENCH!

But I live in a Georgian Colonial!

A favorite aspect of my career is updating home exteriors. I remember as a child being endlessly entertained in the back seat of the car because I was looking at houses; what I liked, disliked, what I would do differently......I am still at it today, but would admit to having a more critical eye :-)

TRAITS OF A GEORGIAN COLONIAL STYLE HOME

Very linear, rigidly symmetrical

Center door

Dentil moldings

Proportioned windows

Hip roof with Dormers

Typically brick

Pediments

TRAITS OF A FRENCH STYLE HOME

Brick, stone or stucco

High and steep hipped roof

Flared eaves

Typically symmetrical 

Arched doors

curves
                       
Where to start? You can hire us 😁 or follow some of these guidelines.............

1.   Start a file of inspiration images. Toss in everything that appeals to you. The images can be the entire home or a single element, say the light fixture. You will begin to see a pattern

Once collected, begin to edit, drastically. Keep going, and narrow it down to one or two images representing each aspect of the exterior details, an overall image will appear. Depending on a minor refresh, or an extensive remodel, keep in mind how far you are willing to go

This is what I am presenting to our client
note. the above home is not hers, but close, hers comes later

2.  Colorways...........love this homeS COLOR SCHEME

    Body; SeaShell

As in the home above, the recommendation is BM City Shadow

for the window trim and surround, a pair of shutters and the front door

Should we opt for an accent, this is BM Rhine River

3.  Finish......A Lime wash with the BM Seashell, the red brick is decidedly un-French!

4.  More fun.........the architectural elements
  A limestone surround vs the existing pediment and columns. It could be a simple surround, more like a frame, but our client loves, and i so agree, this style. The addition of a curve, will emphasize French

Take note of the container, a massive olive jar. The scale is proportionate and the style laser focus

These boxes would also work.......the Versaille planter

Dentil molding......so American colonial. I would chat with a contractor and see what the least expensive option is;

-remove and add a new face board?

or

-box them in

or 

-paint with a dark color for a fade effect

5.  Lighting. 

This style for either side of the front door. Love the look and aged copper turquoise! This option would blend nicely with the BM color, Rhine River, above.

6. Copper Gutters with baskets, ooh la la!

7.  Would shutters work? If yes, where? Let's keep this in mind as a consideration. If she says yes, my recommendation is for the window over the door. Over scaled, real shutters that add depth and dimension and possibly the accent color above which would marry well with the light fixture and the eventual aging of the gutters.

                 Finished?

Never! That is until the landscaping is complete, in the style of your new home

                          Finished?

Yes, now sit back and enjoy!

Here is the finished design. Slightly different from the above suggestions, but I think they both work!

 Here is our drawing showing some of the changes and the new landscape. Currently the landscape consists of massive yews all across the front. As is always the goal, the architecture and the garden are one

Here is the left of the front door as shown above. This area too is nothing but overgrown yews. We added a little courtyard. 
Here are images of the recommended accessories. 

A concrete bench in the color of limestone, cool isn't it? Look at the details. Zero maintenance

Large wire spheres in the planters

The pot & plinth

We would love to assist you. Drop me a line, we offer this service long distance online and local 

Cheers,

Debra
debra@scentimentalgardens.com