I’m always looking for inspiring exterior gable-end treatments. It’s the board-and-batten siding that initially drew me to this one. Board-and-batten siding harks back to Norway and Sweden and is often spotted in New England on agricultural and Stick-and-Shingle style buildings.

Subtle moves, like increasing the spacing of the upper gable battens from the batten spacing below the demising horizontal trim, add interest to the pattern and differentiate the tippy-top from the middle-top. Both batten  arrangements are centered on the ridge and set up their own rhythm.

In addition to the siding pattern, the diagonally placed square window animates the peak. The finial and large overhanging rake outfitted with a decorative rake truss create compelling shadow lines and shapes. The color scheme of ochre siding, burnt red trim, and faded-green accents makes for a warm, sunny, yet sophisticated look.

I find the combination of Scandinavian and New England vernacular influences on this gable design irresistible.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Hancock Shaker Village Laundry and Machine ShopYou may recall my recent web neighbor post about Fivecat Studio and their blog Living Well in Westchester. In my post I referenced their Squidoo lens "Your Complete Guide to Residential Architecture", which is an extensive compilation of links. I suggested they include a section devoted to house museums, and now they have. Scroll down through their updated guide to link to house museums from around the country.

I've written here about several notable New England house museums, like Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Mass. (which is shown above); Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, Conn.; Gropius House in Lincoln, Mass.; and Yin Yu Tang in Salem, Mass., which I mentioned in my last post. I expect to explore and share with you additional compelling regional house museums in the coming months. Meanwhile, consider those I've already featured. You might be surprised by the unique architecture and history not far from your back door.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

This weekend catch Building 173 at the Peabody Essex Museum as part of the third annual Salem Film Fest. According to the festival and film websites, Building 173 explores three generations of life in downtown Shanghai via seven families who lived in apartment Building 173 at some point since the 1930's. 

The intersection of architecture and the lives of those who inhabit it fascinates me. This is why I'm a fan of house museums. Merge your Film Fest visit to the Peabody Essex Museum with a tour of Yin Yu Tang, the Museum's remarkable example of Chinese domestic architecture from the rural village of Huang Cun, originally built more than two centuries ago. I wrote about Yin Yu Tang here. Wouldn't it be fascinating if the PEM produced a film about life in rural, southeastern China through the stories of the lives lived within Yin Yu Tang? Every building has a tale to tell. Imagine yours.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Click on this photo to see it in the KHS photo note cards/prints gallery.A rich color palette can transform an interior. I selected this "Mineral" wall color by C2 Paint to play off muted green tones in mosaic glass tile we chose for an adjacent new bathroom in this island home. The "Milk mustache" C2 Paint we used for the trim also brightened the old bureau shown here and an antique mirror frame above it. 

I don't often mention specific products in these posts, but if you're not familiar with C2 Paint, it's worth a look. The C2 color palette is dreamy and, according to the C2 website, it's created from 16-colorant tints, rather than the more standard 12. C2 offers oversize (18" x 24") sample swatches coated with paint, not ink. Or, if you prefer, you can ask for a 16 oz. Color Sampler to paint a test wall at home. C2 carries a Low-VOC line called "C2 LoVo". Turns out C2 has an unusual business model too; it was recently featured in Inc. magazine.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with C2 Paint. Nor do I make any claims to your potential satisfaction or dissatisfaction with C2 Paint.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

There are a lot of reasons to like a cedar shingle roof. Here's one more. A light dusting of snow reveals the texture and hardy character of a weather-worn material. For more shots of the recent snowstorm that battered the East Coast, be sure to check out The New York Times reader-submitted photos "Picturing the Blizzard."