Design snapshot: A building with a smile

Anthropomorphizing our environment is simply second nature. We can’t help but search for faces around us, on people and objects. It’s part of what our brains do to make sense of the world. It’s a tendency surely familiar to the designer of this antique stair-enclosure. The cheerful countenance of the small building appendage brings a touch of whimsy to what would otherwise be a utilitarian basement access.  

The curved, door-head trim establishes a forehead of sorts beneath the hat of the gable. Laughing, crescent-shaped eyes carved into the vertical door boards complement the centered latch nose, while the upper strap hinges suggest eyebrows and the lower ones imply corners of a smile. The white-on-white palette of materials saves it from being too heavy handed.

It’s only human to delight in human expression (of all sorts).

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Design snapshot: Enclosed Porch porchiness

Prompted by a recent online consulting client (yes, I now provide online design consultations; more on that later), I’ve been snapping new photos of enclosed porches. 

This one has what I’ve come to call “porchiness”, by which I mean, it still evokes its former life as an open porch.  A number of factors contribute to its porchiness. 

For one, the original porch posts and brackets are intact and stand "proud" of the porch windows and walls, as does the original balustrade.  For another, it retains the original lattice treatment below the porch floor level.

Perhaps most critical to its porchiness are expansive windows which neatly infill between the porch pilasters, roof headers and balustrade.  The lite proportions of the porch windows complement those of the double-hung windows on the main house, while accommodating larger areas of glass.  For ventilation, operable casements, with two active leafs apiece, are located in the center of the bays (except the last bay which allows for entry from the end). 

As an aside, grouping windows into threes often nicely divides bays, creating a more animated rhythm than static divisions into multiples of two.
 
The combination of ample daylight and access to refreshing breezes give this space the greatest porchiness of all. 

For more about enclosed porches, check out another design snapshot on the subject.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Kitchen storage design solutions

Image excerpt from Fine Homebuilding Drawing Board column about uncluttered kitchens

Look for my "Drawing Board" column about designing uncluttered kitchens in the August/September 2010 issue of Fine Homebuilding on newsstands now. In it, I illustrate storage strategies that work for small and larger kitchens. Learn how to keep clutter at bay, so you can enjoy a sunlit, airy kitchen. Click here for a PDF of the design column. Issue #213, August/September 2010. Reprinted with permission copyright 2010, The Taunton Press, Inc.

Click here to see the KHS Salem Antique: Kitchen Renovation featured in the column. Visit the KHS publications page to see other magazine columns and articles I've written.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Essex Antiquing: Scenic Highlights and Americana Antiques

The third installment of my Essex, Mass. travelogue video series features Americana Antiques and some bonus scenic highlights. Americana has been a purveyor of antiques and collectibles for 41 years. Tune in for a taste of Essex – its clam shacks and Americana’s antique blanket chests.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast and North Shore Art Throb