Curb appeal and house design. A different way to think about "curb appeal".

Brent looks at an 1890's home with a stained glass window in a closet. Why waste the money?? Because it looked better from the outside. How we design and build houses has changed a great deal. Brent discusses the outside in vs inside out design ideas that have changed from the past.
Be sure to check out and sign up for our Patreon page. We have a podcast coming soon and many great extras that will help you become a better craftsman and builder. / passionforcraft
Also check out our webpage: www.passionforcraft.com
Here are a collection of books used in this talk in my Kit.Co library: kit.co/brenthu...
Here are more great books to check out on my Amazon associates page:
Design book for houses 1920- Architect Small House plan book: amzn.to/37XWaUI
500 Small houses of the 20's- Good designs for period revival homes: amzn.to/3DiH3kh
Samuel Chamberlain's drawings of Rural France: amzn.to/3utg15G
Check Out Our Work: hullworks.com
Sign Up For Our Newsletter: hullworks.com/...
Tell Us About Your Project: hullworks.com/....
FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: / hullmillwor. .
Facebook: / hullhistorical
Pinterest: / _. .
Brent Hull
/ @brenthull
Musicbed SyncID:
MB010LXZMJXMK9C

[@adrianagomez-bravo337]

We bought our first home in 1995 when we were in our early twenties. It was a beautiful 1948 home, with original wood windows. We couldn't wait to tear them out to replace them with aluminum double pane. I wish we hadn't. In 2020 I was able to buy a larger nicer home, built in 1951, almost in the same area. This home also has the original wood windows/double hung; two front windows are 20-light; casement windows in the kitchen all have working hardware. Now, I would never think to destroy the look of the house as a whole; it fits the style, and it adds to the beautiful look of the neighborhood. No cookie cutter homes here! These windows are often just slathered with paint affecting not only the look but functionality. I've been carefully opening windows that have been painted shut, and oh what a feeling when you can slide the top pane down for air circulation. The end look is amazing and so gratifying. Thank you Brent for teaching us how precious these details are to maintaining a home's character.

[@BrentHull]

Awesome. So glad to hear it. Thanks for sharing.

[@jelsner5077]

When I added a bedroom addition to my 1908 bungalow, I put a window in the closet because I didn't want a blank wall on the outside. The architect told me not to do it, but I insisted and am glad I did.

[@BrentHull]

Well done!!! Thanks.

[@jelsner5077]

@@BrentHull It never occurred to me to put a stained glass window in there!

[@risalangdon9883]

AMEN Brent!! Preach it!!!

[@BrentHull]

I will. Thanks.

[@stefboulas]

One of your best videos, Brent. Most people have no idea how to build or design a house. I totally agree. There is so much garbage out there. Thanks for posting.

[@BrentHull]

Wow. Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@sethhamilton5824]

I love this video Brent. It says so much.

[@BrentHull]

Awesome. Thanks.

[@MarkZart]

The McFarland house is beautiful. The curb appeal is very intriguing. If I was casually driving by, I’m sure I’d have to stop and soak that in. There needs to be a housing revolution getting back to the outside/inside concept, and you are the designated point. Well done, excellent information and perspective 👍

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for watching.

[@stevemiller7949]

BRENT ROCKS !!!🙂

[@BrentHull]

Steve Miller Rocks!

[@stevemiller7949]

In a way these segments are tutorials on architectural values. Too many housing consumers are like suckers in a casino, thinking the steak dinner they got comped made them a big shot. In fairness, I will also say that the market is not offering enough of the substantive alternatives that consumers deserve.. Bottom line, we are not preserving or building enough of the high quality housing our society deserves and that hurts us all. Maybe we need a focus on housing like Kennedy directed at getting to the moon. He said we chose to do that because it was difficult --- because it gave Americans pride. FL Wright got some clients to give up a basement, an attic ,and fancy bathrooms in order to end up with a stunning home. In the end it's about what people value and really need and what the market is able/willing to provide. How many of the suckers will manage to get out of the casino in time? The "guest" always loses so that the house can always win?

[@BrentHull]

Great comments. Thanks.

[@RenovationFarmhouse]

Thank you - keep these videos coming!

[@BrentHull]

Will do!!

[@lazygardens]

"a stained glass window in a closet. Why waste the money?? Because it looked better from the outside." DUH! I never thought of it like this, but it makes sense. They were all about appearances.

[@BrentHull]

Yes, thanks.

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

I saw that Churchill quote for the first time just a few days ago. I think it was in a First Things essay. It mentioned that Churchill insisted the House of Commons be rebuilt as it was before being destroyed in the Blitz rather than in a more modern semi-circular fashion because the literal changing of sides after elections meant something.

[@BrentHull]

Interesting! Thanks for the added context.

[@CokeysCasino]

yes!

[@BrentHull]

??

[@CokeysCasino]

“Yes!” = agree with the things stated in the video about curb appeal

[@ikust007]

I fell on the floor looking at that jewel!

[@BrentHull]

Haha.

[@eh_bailey]

Brent, I love this video, I have been thinking about this for so long!

[@BrentHull]

Awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@d_15745]

“Form follows function” for those houses post WWII

[@BrentHull]

Thanks.

[@myoldhousefix]

Great video that explains how we "lost our way", Brent! 👍

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for watching.

[@tc9148]

Thank you. Now I understand why builder designs look so bad - scale, proportion and symmetry are off and they are uncomfortable to look at. The Outside/Inside approach is so good and appropriate.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks, I agree.

[@thenexthobby]

The suburban movement literally sold houses on their feature list, we know this. Attractiveness, being subjective, can’t be quantified. Our ‘39 isn’t a gorgeous house but it has loads of character modern houses lack. There’s a tiny window in the front foyer closet next to the front door. Now I realize it wasn’t just so that they wouldn’t have to put a light in there; it makes the outside look better. Brent, you could do a whole sub-series on this topic, with the “sleuthing” houses: Why were rooms closed off with doors, especially kitchens and dining rooms? Why would the top of a staircase to the 2nd floor bedrooms have a door at the top? Why would a living room have doors? There are all sorts of interesting things in old houses that would baffle modern house owners!

[@BrentHull]

Ha, true. Its crazy how things change.

[@jonboy8181]

It comes down to money. That example you showed was probably owned by some rich tycoon. Apple and oranges. Rich people still built or ornate and opulent houses. But I 100% agree. Things should be designed well. Good design shouldn’t be limited to mansions.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for your comment. The prices of the house doesn't matter from my experience. I've seen many million dollar homes designed from the inside out.

[@biondatiziana]

Another example of designing from the inside are windowless dormers, haphazardly placed. The only reason I can imagine for these monstrosities is someone wanted a walk-in closet.

[@BrentHull]

Haha, True. Its a problem.

[@mitchbledsoe5562]

Excellent. Thanks

[@BrentHull]

You are welcome!

[@bumpstockbilly4263]

the closet-window was for added light, back in 1890, it was lamps and candles still

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for sharing.

[@heathmiller8462]

This channel is awesome! 👍🏻

[@BrentHull]

Thanks so much!

[@piggly-wiggly]

I learn something with every video of yours I watch. Designed from the outside in vs from the inside out is such an obvious idea and perfectly explains why my house remodel is such a challenge. I can get symmetry on one side, maybe two, but then the windows start to be scattered on the remaining walls because they have to accommodate the existing location of bathrooms or laundry rooms, etc. inside. Maybe windows in closets is the price I'll have to pay. Back to the drawings!

[@BrentHull]

Good luck. Thanks for your comment.

[@ashleykarchevsky4144]

Interesting to consider the increase in individualist values since the industrial revolution (still increasing) may have impacted the change in construction. 🧐

[@BrentHull]

That is an interesting insight. Thank you.

[@michaelbissen1946]

Great stuff Brent!!

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for watching.

[@mbryan4964]

Seems like a closet window was for light more than outside beauty; they just made it so it would look beautiful. But I'll mindlessly type then instead of than so whadda I know...

[@BrentHull]

I would agree, but with stained glass? I think exterior harmony was primary. My 2 cents.

[@WILSON.1]

Houses today are truly disgraceful. They have inadvertently reduced the standard of living and the human experience in America. This needs to be said more so that it stops happening. Today we can't say anything without offending people, but generally people today have less manners. In decades past, people weren't as easily offended by constructive criticism, yet had better manners. It's a funny irony. On another note, it seems with the cheapening and uglification of houses, we've also lost a sense of interior decoration. People today will take a hand carved mahogany furniture piece to the dump and buy restoration hardware instead. They put statements on their wall (e.g. "this is where we eat") instead of paintings. Any ideas how this happened?

[@BrentHull]

No idea.

[@mrBDeye]

New subdivisions being built are just rows of square boxes they call homes.

[@BrentHull]

Sad but common. Thanks.

[@jacobtracy7847]

Romeo!

[@BrentHull]

Oh yeah!

[@bonniehyden962]

Hmmm ...🤔 A house that reflects who we are. ...marrying form and function. What a novel idea! 😉

[@BrentHull]

Haha, not rocket science.

[@SupaFly10579]

I'm in nyc. You can't believe what they tear down and what they replace it with. Just boxes with doors and windows. So ugly.

[@BrentHull]

ugh, sorry about that.

[@jk_22]

Then there are all the cookie cutter houses where the windows all line up perfectly with your neighbors’

[@BrentHull]

Well. you do have that. Thanks.

[@mikejarrells431]

I love old stuff (culture, furniture, art, architecture, etc.). I think we should consider beauty, but what about philosophy? Art & artifacts generally reflect the philosophy of the times. Modern philosophy seems very practical. It's almost like the philosophy of the Arts & Crafts movement on steroids. Look at Apple products. Look at Bauhaus. Maybe, someday we'll get luxury (Edwardian?) to the masses via automation (affordable). Maybe not.

[@BrentHull]

Thanks for the comments.

[@thetubekid]

This is absolutely the driving factor behind ugly homes. It's (often simple) balanced and well-designed exteriors that improve the character of a neighborhood. What's unfortunate it seems like everyone's taste has slowly been warped by this. Many have been brainwashed to see beauty in the needlessly complex rooflines, window placement and "sticker" details. I hope folks can get steered back towards (objectively) beautiful exteriors and be willing to have some creativity when it comes to interior function. These inside out homes also have no consideration for HVAC, plumbing design or even overall maintenance. God knows I wouldn't want to be in some of these mcmansions when they need a new roof! Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should!

[@BrentHull]

Well said. Thanks.

[@shmacamp]

Yeeessss…. I see so many people having the interior of their houses renovated, and yet they don’t do anything to the exterior. So inside is lovely and updated, but it still looks like an outdated, completely forgettable, house on the outside.

[@BrentHull]

Yep, common.

[@shmacamp]

Mr Hull, can an interior designer also draw up plans for updating the exterior of a house? Or does exterior design involve more architectural training?

[@AK-ic1yj]

Brent, can you please do a video where you design a beautiful house but allow for all the interior spaces we want as well. Is it even possible? How to do it?? Thank you for the education 😊

[@BrentHull]

Working on it. Thanks.