LOVE YOUR CURB
Sad semi in Lachine
In my early foray into design, I came across this little gem. Not far from the Lachine Canal, a buzzing farmers market and school right opposite, she had good bones.
But this sad little 3 bed-er needed a mega exterior facelift to ramp up buyer interest.
Stuck in the 1940’s, its tiny windows, un-glam poke-y porch and blah garden had ZERO curb appeal.
Around the back, it was bad too.
Old saggy siding. Dry rot. Broken tired windows.
Not much WOW here.
Exterior Pre- Visualization by CaroByDesign.A decade later Crittall designs still feel as contemporary as ever. Edgy and versatile, the sturdy, slim-profile frames have an ability to transform a space. By installing a minimal vertical wood siding, elegant pencil thin upper windows plus pivot patio doors could give this house a cool, modern vibe. Inside transparent wall panels would partition the open plan lounge- dining - kitchen areas, letting the glass define specific zones without compromising on light or space.
Dress To Impress.
First impressions count. How you dress matters. Your home is the same, it’s outside says a lot about you.
And this poor property hadn’t seen much love in a long long time.
The miss-matched broken brickwork and cramped interiors all cried out for help & more light. Meaning all the windows & doors needed replacing & yes…artfully repositioning.
I’m a fan of Crittall-style windows & doors. They are simply gorgeous to look at and to look through!
And this was the perfect house to showcase them.
In fact this industrial metal-framed glazing style has been around for ages. In 1860 Francis Henry Crittall, an ironmonger in Essex, first used this method to create steel-framed windows.
Photo credit David Butler.
You looking at me kid?
Installing a wide open veranda across the entire buildings front would balance its proportions & create an airy entrance and front deck.
Gardens don’t have to be a slog. Keeping them minimal means more chilling, less weeding. So whether you dig a dramatic matte black (always on trend) or a sweeter, cottage-y creme fresh exterior, both colour schemes would make this home scream ‘Hey Look at me’.
