3 Creative Design Ideas to Transform Your Historic Home.

[@christopherzehnder]

I agree that the more massive-appearing “closed” entablature seems a more appropriate pairing to the mass of a stone house. It’s enjoyable to watch you freehand sketch, Brent!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks!

[@GeorgePetrakov]

With flat one looks so delighful! In my opinion, best decision!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Joshua_Knowles_]

i would love to see it made using the same stone

[@petemclinc]

Yes, columns with a stone base is what I was thinking...

[@BrentHull]

Interesting. Thx.

[@Forndrome]

Hi Brent. Thank you for making these videos, I have thoroughly enjoyed many of them. Since I see you are quite active in the comments, I was hoping I could ask a question not directly related to this video. You often make the point that classical architecture is based on the human scale, and that this means the human body is a kind of measuring stick. From other architects/builders, I've heard the human scale expression used to mean designing buildings that are proportioned to human bodies, and not oversized. However, when I think of the most purely classical styles, I think of Georgian, French Baroque or Regency style houses, and these very often tend to be built to a very large scale. Some of the finest examples, like the Gilded Age mansions inspired by European palaces in particular are absolutely monumental, even in the private spaces. For example, I think sleeping in the bedrooms of the Breakers or Marble House in Newport would be a bit 'alienating', seeing as they have twenty-foot ceilings and the modest beds are dwarfed by the sheer amount of space in the room. Same with the family rooms; the way the sofas are staged makes it seem as though one would have to raise one's voice to be heard in the opposite sofa. Do you think mansions like these Gilded Age 'cottages' or 'Country Houses' in England simply rejected the human scale in order to be as impressive and opulent as possible, or are they still build with the human scale even though the dimensions are more like civic buildings than residential homes?

[@BrentHull]

Hi, good question. Historical design that is designed with a human scale, means that the proportions and parts are all related just like the human body is proportional whether a child or an adult. It does not mean, that houses are cozy so that we feel the right size in them. The breakers, just sticking with your example, is classically styled and the rooms are big, but you'll see in those rooms that the classical elements are very apparent and give the room visual comfort because the classical elements communicate proportions that are human. The ultimate test, is how you feel in those rooms. My experience is that I like being in those rooms. I hope that helps.

[@gregpendrey6711]

Hi Brent. The channel is fuller too. 😊 Keep on.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks! Will Do!

[@Huug70x7]

Nice. I would go with a straight one personally. It really suits the facade

[@BrentHull]

Ok, thanks.

[@PaulJacksonOttawa]

Great video, Brent. Thanks again. I so enjoy these videos. I can’t tell you.

[@BrentHull]

So glad you like them.

[@user-steve_wrwoodclassics]

Your comments on builder grade columns are truly priceless ! Great video showing the process to designing a beautiful piece of architecture, very inspiring . Also great music selection.

[@BrentHull]

Nice. thanks for sharing.

[@jimc4731]

You hit the jackpot on this one. Be sure to have them change out the door and side lites too for something more appropriate. JIM ❤

[@BrentHull]

Thx, door and sidelights are actually historic. They are covered by storm doors.

[@cborecky]

Then the porch will protect the historic door too. Double win.

[@BradVaughn]

I like the square top version best. Of course the actual roof hidden behind the facade could be sloped to manage the snow load.

[@BrentHull]

Agreed. Thanks.

[@karsonsetzer]

Great video! We finished a porch recently. Glad that I’ve seen/studied your other porch videos to show how to nail these details. Thanks!

[@BrentHull]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kevinC5611]

Number 2 @ 9:44 is the best !!! We get alot of snow, but its not gunna collapse a well built porch.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for sharing.

[@GravityHazard]

fantastic video, thank you for all the great knowledge you are sharing.

[@BrentHull]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KenYamaguchi-sg5zr]

All 3 options are excellent and vastly improve the facade. Great job! Thanks for posting.

[@BrentHull]

Nice. Thanks!

[@VaultMCMLXXXIII]

Another awesome video. Thanks!

[@BrentHull]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-steve_wrwoodclassics]

After watching the video several times , Norman from your shop needs to build a new storm door for this house !

[@BrentHull]

Haha, I agree. Thx.

[@matthewcondon1985]

I'm really enjoying your videos!!! I think I like the flat design with the finial option the best...but then you have to deal with the snow. I feel the flat design reflects the long, flat roof line and the squareness of the window above the door. And the finials mirror the chimneys on the room...I like it. Second, I liked the open option, but I didn't like the straight window above the door with the open porch. Your example photo has the curved window above the door. I like the way it fills the space better than I like how the rectangular window on the stone house would fill the space. It would be great to see which option they go with and to see the finished result!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks so much.

[@rogerhodges7656]

Beautiful.

[@BrentHull]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@marvinhaines9297]

Mr. Hull - Soon I'll be volunteering at my former middle school, and I plan to teach an art lesson based on Classical proportions. Can I, with your permission, use this video?

[@BrentHull]

Of course. Good luck.

[@crazytony22]

Great description on constructing a classical greco-roman porch but I have never seen a scottish cottage with a greco-roman porch. It doesn't look bad it's just not typical. Usually these are simple entrances starting with a simple large stone lintel then moving up in complexity to a more gothic-tudor style carved stone entrance and then into more complicated structures with an ornamented entrance in a scaled-down gable end. I think your last mockup is the closest because the scale of the pediment evokes a typical gable end seen in a more 'ornate' cottage entrance but it feels like a classical frieze would be out of place. Maybe if the windows had some treatment to take them out of the simple cottage style?

[@BrentHull]

Noted. I would add it is not a Scottish cottage. Thx.

[@crazytony22]

@@BrentHull tough to tell from the very limited photos but the side entrance, windows and chimneys at each end scream scottish/northern english cottage to me. static.wixstatic.com/media/413d01_a75fa9724cfe4c10a3e6a8347ed36dfa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_640,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413d01_a75fa9724cfe4c10a3e6a8347ed36dfa~mv2.jpg . Can't wait to see the progress on this one.

[@ryansoo4000]

Hi Brent, great video! I do agree with you that the pedimented roof looks better and will work better due to snow loads. However, I think the “filled-in” pediment looks a bit too heavy and the open pediment looks too “dainty”. What if you used a pedimented roof with a dropped, flattened eclipse “ceiling” on the underside instead of having the underside surface match the slope of the upper roof surface? That would give you more “weight” at the roof edge without filling in the entire front of the pediment with a beam and fascia.

[@BrentHull]

Good idea. I'll let you know what the owner says.

[@strongcuppatea1629]

I'm curious...does the addition of a doric order pediment porch include revising the storm door segment? To my eye the storm door structure stands out as too modern and doesn't connect to the overall style. I understand it's a practical necessity, but there has to be a better way to integrate a storm door with the proposed porch design. Thoughts?

[@BrentHull]

I agree. I think I would build a more appropriate set.

[@anthony01571]

OUTSTANDING : o .......

[@BrentHull]

Thanks!

[@jennafarrell4755]

Brent, what kind of storm doors would be acceptable on a historic craftsman house? My door are 3/4 lite. I think the color should match the trim as well.

[@BrentHull]

Good question. I would build mine out of wood and then seek to make them more complimentary to the architectural stylings of the home. I would also paint them the same color as the trim.

[@salvatoreoddo-x9t]

How were federal style door surrounds with a pediment over an arched fan light made?

[@BrentHull]

By hand, long story. Maybe for another video.

[@salvatoreoddo-x9t]

@@BrentHull Please do one soon.I have an idea about the design,no clue about the construction and how to put it together. . I was trying to find examples at architectural salvage yards with no luck.And no luck in finding instructional media regarding such construction. I do not want to do trial and error construction.Also: If I do construct a door surround ,I would need to instruction on how to attach it to a stone wall. May be at last I'll be able to get this done. Thank you Brent for all your past videos.They are very insightful.

[@joelbos7324]

Hey Brent great tips! I have a nearly identical house and planning a porch as well but interested in scaling it up to include the 2 front windows as well. Wondering your thoughts on how you might tackle this?

[@BrentHull]

Hmm, good to consider. Thx.

[@dramaticwords]

I suspect this house is in my neck of the woods. Lots of historic limestone buildings, built by the stonemasons who also built the Rideau Canal. I prefer the full entablature you propose, even though this house looks fairly small for anything too pretentious. But some, like this one are well maintained and now are considered upscale. I definitely think a 7 foot porch would look weird, especially from the side.

[@BrentHull]

Noted, thanks for sharing.

[@Captain-KTS]

Brent you should check out a really cool house I found for sale In Taylor TX ( 117 E 6th ST), reminds me of the Italian Revial your working on. It def needs some love though. Cheers Kirk

[@BrentHull]

That is a good one. Thx.

[@TonyaO2L]

Just FYI -The Ebay link says the listing sold, and shows similar items, but it doesn't show Brents user name. I was unable to follow his page.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for letting me know.

[@4408Bill]

Your designs are all terrific but I wonder why you didn't suggest using the Tuscan Order instead of the Doric. The simplicity and strength of the Tuscan seems well suited for a stone house. To my eye the Doric just seems a bit too high style for this very simple building.

[@BrentHull]

I don't disagree. I think Doric or Tuscan can work. The Doric entablature is more playful and interesting. I'll let the owner decide. Thx.

[@dinkjs]

You are a master. But my opinion is. I think some type of porch and awning would look a whole lot better. That is such a big front wall.

[@BrentHull]

Noted. Thx for sharing.

[@cborecky]

In a snowy climate, I would think you'd want a bigger porch than what is being considered here so that the area in front of the door is always snow-free. On this house you have plenty of room to work with before casting unwanted shade over the windows. But then again I don't live in Canada. Can anyone tell me why bigger porches are not more common in snowy climates? You can store firewood on it!

[@BrentHull]

Well, I'm in Texas, so I'm not much help. At the same time, the historic precedent in New England is more similar to what I have shown. Thx.

[@cborecky]

@@BrentHull Maybe it's more fashion than function, then. You don't see many big porches in England and therefore you don't see many in New England. Perhaps the US South and Midwest were more influenced by Greek/Spanish Revival ideas, as well as needing a shady place to cool off or a cooler place to sleep. The bonus question is whether it's wrong to transplant a historical design outside of its historical climate even if it makes sense to do so?

[@tedkroll9100]

Go look at John Kramer and sons homes in MN. Think you will be very frustrated for how elaborate their homes are.

[@BrentHull]

Ok. Thx.

[@krogg5868]

the central ornamentation on the more closed one looks a little out of character to the rest of the house, but I agree the closed looks more appropriate than the open.

[@BrentHull]

Ok, thanks.

[@AML-FRL]

👍👍👍👍

[@BrentHull]

Thx.

[@CheeseBae]

A classical porch looks out of place on the front of that house. It's far too rustic. Adding the Doric order when the windows aren't even classical looks odd to me. I'd go with timber frame joinery and let the craftsmanship of the woodworking shine. Everything doesn't have to be classical.

[@BrentHull]

noted. thx.