1930's House facelift help please
Richard Sibley
9 years ago
Hey all
We have just purchased this 1930s detached house which is in need of modernisation including insulation and damp proofing. The house is set on a hill with a single path leading to the front door. We're not keen on the tiles in between the bay windows so would ideally like those to go but any other help and suggestions would be really useful.
I have photoshopped an idea I came up with however we would keep the bay windows which is not shown in the photoshopped version.
Thanks
We have just purchased this 1930s detached house which is in need of modernisation including insulation and damp proofing. The house is set on a hill with a single path leading to the front door. We're not keen on the tiles in between the bay windows so would ideally like those to go but any other help and suggestions would be really useful.
I have photoshopped an idea I came up with however we would keep the bay windows which is not shown in the photoshopped version.
Thanks
Featured Answer
Comments (29)
PROOnePlan
9 years agoRichard Sibley
9 years agoRelated Discussions
How would you improve the look of this 1930's house?
Comments (6)I would concentrate on the dormer windows, initially. I don't think the roofs of either are attractive, they both look mean and 'tight'. The brown cladding at the sides is wrong - it should be lead, painted timber to match the window frames or slate to match the roof. (Please don't use UPVC cladding!) Getting the detail right can be very effective. This is a new dormer bungalow I designed in a 1930s style, albeit in different materials. The dormer windows have flat lead roofs with big overhangs and moulded timber fascia. The flat roof dormer is probably more authentic to the house, but any style and detail has been lost when it has been re-roofed. A similar porch might work also well on your house. Although, if you go for flat-roofed dormers, you could do a great flat canopy porch with a hint of art deco style. The window arrangement in the central gable is very odd, too. But this may actually be improved by adding a porch. (Porches can often spoil a house, but the reverse might apply here) The garden is also very bleak. Some planting near the house, and even some climbers would make all the difference. The staining on the brickwork is strange, but I can't see enough detail. I would only repoint if the mortar is actually failing, as it can make a mess - get a professional to look at it, and make sure it is done well, with a lime-sand-cement mix. It won't make much difference to the appearance of the house. Simply cleaning off the worst of the staining might help - maybe with wire brushes - go carefully at first to make sure you're not damaging the bricks. The windows are not great, but could be a lot worse. If they are functionally okay, it may be good to keep them, and see how they look when some other details are changed. Depends on your budget....See MoreModernising 1930s house exterior
Comments (23)The front of your home is lovely. Don't make any drastic changes like painting brick or rendering the entire facade. Instead, look at the front gardens of other homes in your area and study books on domestic landscaping for ideas. The picket fence, although very sweet, is not contemporary. If you want fencing, consider more sophisticated styles. Alternatively, planting a hedge in box or copper beech would give a sharp edge to the property and you can soften the frontage by growing an evergreen climber like clematis or honeysuckle. Additional box balls and pyramids in a partarre bed with herbaceous planting inside gives year round greenery and colour in the summer. Discuss the drive with your neighbour and consider a drive of pavers that will allow water to seep between instead of running off into the road. If your budget extends that far, replace the windows with the original 1930's style https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/94/c6/22/94c622f1fca67bef3b6c2a187cd57aca.jpg...See MoreRe-model our 1930's detached house: can you help please?
Comments (8)To me the proportions of the windows don't look right. I don't think that the front face of the bay would've originally been one pane - I think there wouldn't been one or two vertical dividers. To improve the look of the house I would replace the windows with something that looks more in keeping. I would also re-render with a smooth render. I would either put the front door where the flat window is, or make more of an entrance of the for where it is. You don't say whether you use the driveway down the side of the house for a car. if not there are things you could do to make the existing entrance more appealing with a path, planters, etc....See MoreOdd layout in 1930s house
Comments (9)Looking at the floor plan - there is lots you can do but I personally would wait until you know about the loft conversion or extension. Extending across the kitchen to make a more useful kitchen diner or kitchen with family room and doors into the garden at the back with the dining area kept where it is would be good. The current back family room and front lounge could be altered to anything really ie downstairs shower room between a bedroom. Office, second lounge etc etc. It’s upstairs for you that seems to be the issue so I would get someone in ASAP to check out the loft and see if it’s possible and get some costings. The stairs could possibly go with the current shower room is so you don’t lose a bedroom...See More- PRO
OnePlan
9 years ago 
shelleyuk
9 years ago
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
jacksplash
9 years agopiptastic
9 years ago
PROEco Design Consultants
9 years agosoozmacrae
9 years ago
ianblue
9 years agoSam Hill
9 years agoRichard Sibley
9 years agoThanks for all the feedback, the energy efficiency is quite poor as its just solid brick wall with no insulation so any transformation we would look at solving the heat retention with some exterior insulation with a render on top. It currently has central steps to the front door but they can't be seen from the picture.
I have attached a design I have done for the rear of the house and the current version.
PROMcCann Moore Architects
9 years agorab111
9 years agoHi Richard this style of architecture is growing in popularity. You really should consider renovating what you have and, I suggest, adding a very modern extension on the back at ground floor. I think it looks great as it is. Those hung tiles in the bays are a typical feature of the period. Keep the style of windows but upgrade to double/triple glazed and consider painting with a colour other than brilliant white. Lastly when extending at the back you might consider matching the material of the new dormers with the material of the ground floor extension. Copper? I attach some images that might inspire. Good luck!
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years agoRichard Sibley
9 years agogg38
8 years agoUser
8 years agoricardoldfield
8 years agoUser
8 years agoRichard Sibley
8 years agoHey
So the latest update is that we're still busy with the project but in the closing stages. We've done a lot of work inside more than originally planned we've gutted the house and replaced everything and changed the floor plan to modernise it and make more of an open plan space downstairs. We've done the rear extension which is now dedicated to kitchen with a central island running parallel with the doors . On the outside the house has had external insulation fitted and new render which makes it look new. I've attached some recent pics.
Richard
hortonhearsawho2013
8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRichard Sibley
8 years agoFront is still quite messy we would
of like to have done more especially with the new porch but we had to prioritise.
Still have to renovate the new front doors.
Jo Arnold
8 years agoJo Arnold
8 years agoThis is the last shot I took of the rear extension. The bi-fold doors have been fitted and render finished now. Need a new photo of the front as we have the garage door now and scaffolding is down.
PRODesign Spec Ltd
7 years ago
PROVC Design Architectural Services
6 years agowell done! reminds me of this one I did in SW London, but you managed without an Architect!
Patricia Pelgrims