Monday, August 24, 2015

A Recovered Porch


While discussing the materials for a new bulkhead (hatch doors leading to the basement, seen to the right) and the next steps in the siding project, Nate and Darryn brought to our attention that the side mudroom was actually an addition that was likely enclosed in the 1960s or 1970s, and asked if we'd prefer an open space to break up the ell. 

They explained that the side entrance would have been an open porch, not an enclosed mudroom. We had known that this was likely an open area originally, but never really put much thought into changing it.

We knew that the six over six double hung windows did not go with the 12 over 12 and the 12 over 8 windows throughout the house. And since they were in bad shape, we knew that we'd have to deal with them sooner or later, but that's as far as we got in our thoughts. In addition to that rickety storm door, I think we had mostly been trying to ignore them.


As happens sometimes in our project, one thing led to another. Twenty-four hours later, after Mike removed the windows, the storm door, the exterior wall, the peeling clapboards, and the floorboards that were rotten beneath the wall, the side porch looks like this. Believe it or not, this will actually save us precious funds by not having to replace the windows and storm door, among other factors.

It all fell into place and we wondered how we didn't plan for it before. 

That is why we continue to be infinitely grateful for the experience of our craftsmen, Nate and Darryn. Between them, they have well over forty years of experience working on historic homes, which we are very fortunate to benefit from. 

It amazes us that such a relatively small alteration to such a small space can make such a dramatic difference. 

I really like the idea that this entrance can now be dressed up more than it could as a mudroom. We created a very large mudroom in the back ell (which will be the entrance coming from the barn). So while this secondary mudroom had its own charm in a way, it was not essential, and the invitation that will be provided by the open porch will be a welcome enhancement.

24 comments :

  1. Oh, I love the new layout much better than the mudroom to have a beautiful entrance. Will you have double doors? So enjoying watching the progress, and truly lucky to have people with that much experience help.

    Happy Tuesday,
    Lisa, London

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    1. Dear Lisa, We will have to replace the interior french door (seen) with a more historic exterior door. Hopefully, we will be able to find something at architectural salvage. Happy Tuesday to you too! Best, Catherine

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  2. What a lovely place that porch will be to sit under the roof when it's raining, and some roof over an open area is very handy in any case. It sounds like your craftsmen are a real treasure.

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  3. This is going to end up being a favorite landing spot! Looking good!

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  4. It does look so different and has a lot more personality now.

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  5. What a nice change! And by the looks of these old houses around New England, your contractors are right about the porch! How lucky to have two guys with a great attention to detail working on your family's home. It's gonna be stunning!

    Best, Tim

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    1. Thanks Tim. And about the child's sofa - it was structurally repaired but hasn't been upholstered yet. Just too many other projects going on I suppose but I hope to get to it soon. Best, Catherine

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  6. The inverted porch is quintessential New England. Perfect!

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  7. Yes great idea - that porch will be so pretty and a nice place to sit in the summer too I bet!

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  8. What side of the house (directionally) is this porch? I would kill for a covered porch on the west side of my house to watch the storms rolling in and sit outside during a summer rain.

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    1. The porch faces east so it will receive morning light. It overlooks the largest parcel of our property so it will be nice to contemplate the future garden...someday.

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  9. I love every inch of this house and what you have done. I know the road has been hard but you will see the light at the end and oh what a light it will be. So happy my friend. So happy for you.
    Much Love
    Lisa

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  10. This is a great porch! For some reason I can see it decorated for Christmas. What will your basement be used for? They are such a dark, damp place; very unappealing except during a tornado! We always feared having to go down in the cellar at my grandparent's old house to retrieve canned goods. There must be a better was to let in light than those creaky, spidery, cellar doors.

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    1. Basement will not be used for anything, just a place where the heat system inhabits. The cellar doors just needed to be replaced due to aesthetic and condition.

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  11. I love the porch!! So much truer to the history of the house. And yes, much prettier than a mudroom! Blessings from Missouri! Can't WAIT to see the finished home!

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  12. I just bet this is going to be one of your favorite spots…can visualize the garden you will be overlooking one day…Happy Tuesday!

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  13. I can envision a lovely sitting porch and an inviting entry ALREADY!
    It's a good idea.

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  14. Brilliant! What a charming space you have uncovered and created.

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  15. It's all looking fantastic! I love all these hidden discoveries that old houses hold!

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  16. Love this so much better than another mudroom. It will look adorable! Also, never got around to commenting on your post regarding what you are reading this summer. Thanks for the recommendations. I ordered one of them right away. Just wanted to say another way to get really inexpensive books is buying used on Amazon. You can sometimes get a book for $.01 with $3.99 shipping. I mostly read on a Kindle, but sometimes it's quite a bit cheaper to buy a used book than a Kindle book. Linda R (Phila burbs)

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  17. What a great change. I love the open porch and really can see why you don't need two mudrooms. The porch will be a pretty entrance to the home. I can't wait to see it finished and I am interested to see what you do with the cellar entry. I too am in need of replacement of ours.
    I so enjoy your posts and home.

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  18. Came back for a second look at pictures and noticed on the cellar door, the hinge, is that a blacksmithed hinge? And bootscrape, also blacksmith? Love seeing the updates, I am sure there are so many that you are not posting. Move in soon??? Have a great day! Donna

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  19. I can't wait to see it finished! I agree that the porch is a much better idea than the mudroom. You guys are doing an amazing job and thank you for documenting it all! I'm learning so much from this renovation. Best, Silvana

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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