Something Wonderfully Unexpected
When I purchased the Cross properties in 2014, one entered the carriage house via a huge, non-original L-shaped porch. The entry door was under the turret. But not centered on it.
The porch blocked a lot of light into the Secret Bedroom, Foyer, and Living Room. It was also falling apart.
Stepping into the foyer, one’s eye was drawn immediately to the expansive Living Room, directly ahead. The lovely staircase to the right was not noticed. Not even the ‘fabulous entry’ was much noticed (the large opening between the Foyer and Living Room). Only after stepping well into the Living Room, and turning around, would people notice the ‘fabulous entry’.
Today, all this is changed. The porch is long gone. And none of the following was anticipated. It has all been a surprise. A wonderful surprise.
The front door has been moved from under the turret to the north wall.
As one steps in, the staircase is directly ahead. It is the first thing one sees. And it is a lovely sight. I keep stepping into, and out of, the front door, my smile wide as the stair is now so well displayed for the first time ever.
Next, one notices that there is a foyer. It is kinda long, and zig-zags under the L-shaped stair to a room in the distance. So, or the first time ever, one cannot help but notice the foyer.
Turning to the left, one sees the ‘fabulous entry’. “Oh, I love this!”
Only after stepping to the center of the main space, and fully turning left, does the expansive Living Room come into view.
The house…all of a sudden…seems larger. A foyer has appeared like magic. A lovely staircase is now prominent.
Ross happy.
12 Comments
Leave a Comment
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
I wonder if the decision to move the door was because the North facing door was an issue during the winter.
Not having a vestibule as an airlock, probably cooled the house down whenever the door was opened.
That does make sense and it’s still a problem in the days of modern central heating. Someone I know lives in a 2015 open-plan place. Sitting on the couch for a movie night in winter is painful when the pizza delivery rings the bell, as someone opens the front door everyone else freezes.
If you saw the HBO series “John Adams,” they used heavy curtains in front of the exterior door to block the cold while going in and out of the house. Similar to the curtains used to divide rooms, they seemed heavier.
Where’s the interior pic? 😉
This is the CH revealing to you, that you’re headed in the right direction with it.
Congratulations 🎊 👏 I know it’s a beautiful sight to behold!
To me this only proves once again that those that design houses, no matter what period, knew what they were doing. And when someone seeks to imitate, they often fall short and it shows. McMansions trying to be French Chateaus or Italian palazzos come immediately to mind.
When a bastardized period home is restored, this is clear and the Cross house and Carriage house are prime examples. The door is back where it was and the flow is restored.
When it comes to a period home, I am all for restoration. “Renovation” scares me to death. If you want a modern home, don’t buy a period house and try to make it a modern home. The results will always be disappointing and the house will never look right. The results may not be Beetlejuice but why risk it?
Can you feel the building relax? Can you feel a more positive energy in the house? Is the house happy with what you have done? My guess is yes. You can’t really explain what it is but it feels different in a positive way.
So deal with the city and when they sign off, decide what you will do next.
I will say after you removed the tarp and moved the porch and the turret side was revealed I can now see what you mean about that little window on the roof, for the stairway I think you said. It does look out of place and clutters the roof line. I know it’s minor and way down on the list of things to do but I didn’t understand what you were talking about until the last reveal. I see it now. Another example of a change that didn’t improve but interfered with the original design of the house. When it’s gone no one will mourn the loss or likely even remember it was there. It will just be the house looks so good but they can’t figure out what was done.
Hi, Mary.
While there was originally a porch in the NW corner I’ve no idea where the door was.
Well, would there be a porch without a door?
we need pics of this new glorious room!!! I am on bated breath waiting on photos.
Sooo excited to know of this progress. Next time we’re in your very fine neighborhood, we’ll knock knock knock on your door.
I’m lucky enough to have been in that space, so I can visualize the changes — and it feels magical. Can’t wait to see it in person one of these days.
Looking great Ross. Amazing what you accomplish with that patented baby step formula!