Exterior Accessories

Most jobs include a recommendation for updating and repositioning certain Exterior Accessories.

Like fashion jewelry, Exterior Accessories are important because they hold the Viewer’s attention, add interest, flavor the overall style, and complete the look.  Done correctly, they compliment the existing architecture.  Done incorrectly, they are distracting. 

Architecture = The building’s geometric lines, texture, scale, form, and shape.

The geometric lines of the architecture dictate and control the eye of the Viewer.  This is a given.  The Exterior Acessories need to simply highlight, support, and compliment what is already there.

House Numbers

In the original photo, the house numbers look like a cramped, forced, afterthought.  They are too big for their location.  In addition, they are drawing the Viewer’s attention toward the edge of the house and the gutter.


In the new location, the same numbers are moved to align with the natural geometry of the architecture.  This open space accommodates their large size.  Here, they are free to take center stage and compliment the design, highlighting the highest point in the roof. (Yes, this is the same house.)

 

Mailboxes
Mailboxes are your welcome committee!  Positioned by the sidewalk or front door,they are the first to greet postal deliveries, visitors, and storolling neighbors. Their presence is an initial impression and introduction to the home and the owner.  The goal is congruency.  Select a mailbox style and location that compliments the architecture of the house and personality of the owner.

A mailbox placed by the curb transitions the house to the sidewalk. Sidewalks connect one house to another and invite us to walk along the neighborhood.  Sidewalks join us together socially.  Sidewalks help create closer communities. In a way, your house talks to the whole world through your mailbox, like a messenger.

On this particular job, the new home owner was required by the city to provide a new mailbox at the curb.  A simple mailbox-on-a-post style was selected to match the existing neighborhood theme.  The mailbox was painted to match the house colors.

       
Before                                                            After


Painted to match the house


Front Door Hardware

Architecture is often designed to direct The Viewer’s attention toward the entrance of the home.  The highlight of the entrance is the front door.  Not only do you experience opening and walking through the door, but the front door hardware is something that you physically touch every single day. 

If a mailbox is like a greeter, your door hardware is the handshake.

What does the look and feel of your front door hardware “handshake” say about you and your house?  Is it in good working condition?  Has the old finish deteriorated?  Do you enjoy using it daily?  Would you paint the outside of your house, including your front door, and put the old hardware back on?  Now is the best time to consider new hardware.

Does the style relate to the architecture of the home?

The dull, textured, detailed, cold, hard feel of antique twisted black wrought iron physically feels like an old castle.
The warm, soft, smooth, satin finish of gray nickel feels like a simple, contemporary, modern house.

"Life is Colorful"
 
Paint Smart