home design opinions (pic)

[rh71]

We're dormering and need the general consensus on whether this design as a whole is favorable or if there's something wrong with it.

proposed: http://img831.imageshack.us/i/13412877.jpg/
current: http://img263.imageshack.us/i/img6520g.jpg/

For the first floor, the right half starting from the door/portico actually comes forward 6ft while the left side sits back but there's a flowerbed and shrubs in front of it to even out the plane. The blank windows mean they are existing.... we'll probably just add the shutters so that's not an issue.

UPDATE:
well permits and whatever else took forever so they finally started in March. And 3 months later with additional updates to the 1st floor and basement, we're done. Headache-free contractor, I might add. Like the way the right side came out:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/28242110150331211622193.jpg/

couple construction pics:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/19506110150170159127193.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/810/20048310150176190692193.jpg/

 

[DougK62]

I don't care for the look of it, but it seems fairly standard for the 'burbs.

 

[rivan]

Bravo, sir, for not having 70% of the front of your home be a garage door.

That said, the windows on the right side seem a little undersized. Is the position of the home, and it's view appropriate to put in a larger bank of windows? Wildly guessing, is that a dining room?

 

[zinfamous]

What you need, is a front porch. Where else are you going to rock away the early evening eating your BBQ and smoking your pipe, yelling at young whipper-snappers who cross by?

 

[rh71]

Bravo, sir, for not having 70% of the front of your home be a garage door.

That said, the windows on the right side seem a little undersized. Is the position of the home, and it's view appropriate to put in a larger bank of windows? Wildly guessing, is that a dining room?

The left side is the dining room, a converted garage. I'm sad there's no garage at all but lots aren't big here so living space is worth more.

The right side is split into a full bath and an office (was a master, in ranch mode). So it needs to be 2 separate windows considering 2 separate rooms.

What you need, is a front porch. Where else are you going to rock away the early evening eating your BBQ and smoking your pipe, yelling at young whipper-snappers who cross by?

we have an issue with town code where we can no longer build within 12ft of the property line. So the existing left side is fine because it was built before this new code. Now, any new structures must be 2ft more to the right so a porch wouldn't be to the end which would look weird. This new code is also why the dormer can't go all the way flush to the sides. We can always submit for a variance, which is 6 months time and $2500 just for them to say "ok".

 

[Vette73]

Yea the windows in the top middle and right bottom seem small. Or is the other windows just that hugh?

 

[rh71]

Yea the windows in the top middle and right bottom seem small. Or is the other windows just that hugh?

top middle windows are for hallway bath and a walk-in closet so they don't have to be big in terms of practicality but I know what you're saying in relation to the whole house.

I'm surprised nobody is saying anything about the right side one-piece that goes straight up (the middle roofline doesn't cut it up). It looks like the shape of a huge chimney (or rocket ship) to me, which doesn't seem to belong on a front of a house (maybe the back or it even looks like the side profile of a house). That seems ok to you guys?

 

[rh71]

^ for early evening crowd

 

[rcpratt]

I don't like the right side thing that juts all the way up to the upper level AT ALL, but that's just me.

The windows on the right do seem a bit undersized and I don't like the windows on the left either. Did those windows change from when that room was the garage? They certainly look out of place with no shutters.

 

[krylon]

looks gay

opinion threads without polls are even more gay

 

[ViviTheMage]

Windows look small, door looks tiny in comparison to the house, get a double door?

 

[sjwaste]

Might be better if you posted a pic of what the house looks like now, for comparison. I have an idea of what I'm looking at, but I'm not 100% that I know what's already there and what's proposed to be built...

 

[rh71]

Might be better if you posted a pic of what the house looks like now, for comparison. I have an idea of what I'm looking at, but I'm not 100% that I know what's already there and what's proposed to be built...

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7996/img6520g.jpg

The portico and bushes to the left will make the front a bit more busy so maybe double doors may not be necessary, but we're thinking about it. I just hate having a door that is completely useless.

looks gay

opinion threads without polls are even more gay

I'm actually looking for specific feedback since we can still change anything we want... a rating wouldn't help me.

Did those windows change from when that room was the garage? They certainly look out of place with no shutters.

They do look a bit out of place, but there is no room for shutters on the left side of those casement windows. There will be shutters for the existing middle pair of casements... we've suggested that change. Nothing we can really do.

 

[coldmeat]

I don't like how on the right side, it narrows to the second floor. Looks like a barn.

 

[dank69]

Structurally, going shorter than the current length of the house is going to be a bitch.

 

[rh71]

Structurally, going shorter than the current length of the house is going to be a bitch.

well they talked about headers and beams and if it doesn't add a huge cost, it is our only option. Because if we build across the entire length, we need a variance which I mentioned is a LOT of time (biggest factor) and extra money for the permit. We've owned this place for nearly 2 months and haven't moved in yet. We're looking at another 4-5 months as it is. Don't want to make it a year.

 

[fire400]

looks gay

opinion threads without polls are even more gay

Location: How much can I fit in the location tab? I find it curious this board lets you type a paragraph here.

Upper middle class... he can't appreciate anything anymore 'cuz his parents spoon-fed him this kind of garbage, and then he needs to regurgitate it on a computer forum.

The plans look good.

 

[swerus]

What you need, is a front porch. Where else are you going to rock away the early evening eating your BBQ and smoking your pipe, yelling at young whipper-snappers who cross by?

This, everything else looked great thou. Gotta have a front porch.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So, the plan is have the new construction completed in 4 to 5 months?
We have winter coming and I don't think that's realistic.

 

[rh71]

So, the plan is have the new construction completed in 4 to 5 months?
We have winter coming and I don't think that's realistic.

It was one of our concerns. 2 months for the permit (realistic) and 2-3 months for construction... of course they can't work while it's snowing but they claim they will work if it's clear out. Unfinished project - unpaid time for them. I would still put it at 5 months though... there will be missed days.

 

[zerocool84]

Not really a fan of the porthole circular window on top. It doesn't match at all. Go with an octagon window.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It was one of our concerns. 2 months for the permit (realistic) and 2-3 months for construction... of course they can't work while it's snowing but they claim they will work if it's clear out. Unfinished project - unpaid time for them. I would still put it at 5 months though... there will be missed days.

I wish you luck but, I think you are underestimating the time it will take. This will require major structural work and one occurrence of wet weather plus a failed/forgotten tarp and something will have to be done over. Work will be slowed by low temps as well. Keep us posted.

 

[rcpratt]

I can't believe the right side "rocket ship" doesn't bother more people. I agree that an octagon window would look better, though.

 

[rh71]

Not really a fan of the porthole circular window on top. It doesn't match at all. Go with an octagon window.

Isn't that a vent for the attic?

 

[zerocool84]

Isn't that a vent for the attic?

Could be I don't know.