How would you update this?

[Anonymous]

OP here, we do have kids and are supposed to close on that house in a couple of months.

We wouldn't take off the rails and not replace it with something.

For those that talk about a bookshelf, would you build it up to the ceiling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, we do have kids and are supposed to close on that house in a couple of months.

We wouldn't take off the rails and not replace it with something.

For those that talk about a bookshelf, would you build it up to the ceiling?

If you go up to the ceiling, I think you should leave the bookshelf open for all the shelves or at least certain blocks, so you avoid a giant expanse of wall from the entryway.

Congrats on the house OP!

[Anonymous]

Great idea on the bookcase! I would not go all the way up- it will be nice to have a ledge there where you can leave keys, mail, etc. Also, I dont think that you want to close the space out.

I know that you didn't ask about this, but I would also do something about that fireplace. Remove the insert and maybe paint it white.

[Anonymous]

We just bought a similar style split foyer and had issues with old railings also. Except ours were old worn down wood railings with openings large enough for my 2 yr old to walk right through. I actually don't mind your iron railings, depending out how you decorate it could go with some styles. I'd try and update the brass chandelier and fireplace before I worried about the railing (see below).

We have old brick on the lower half of the exterior (vinyl on the top unfortunately. We're considering painting our brick a similar color to the siding, hopefully helping to modernize it as others have suggested.

We also had an old brass fireplace insert and we decided to paint it black. Just sand it down a little, tape of the areas you don't want painted and spray on the color of your choice (we went black and looks SO much better).

We also had the same chandelier in the foyer and we just replaced it as well, changed the look of the room substantially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just bought a similar style split foyer and had issues with old railings also. Except ours were old worn down wood railings with openings large enough for my 2 yr old to walk right through. I actually don't mind your iron railings, depending out how you decorate it could go with some styles. I'd try and update the brass chandelier and fireplace before I worried about the railing (see below).

We have old brick on the lower half of the exterior (vinyl on the top unfortunately. We're considering painting our brick a similar color to the siding, hopefully helping to modernize it as others have suggested.

We also had an old brass fireplace insert and we decided to paint it black. Just sand it down a little, tape of the areas you don't want painted and spray on the color of your choice (we went black and looks SO much better).

We also had the same chandelier in the foyer and we just replaced it as well, changed the look of the room substantially.

Would you mind saying what you replaced the chandelier with? I am not a fan of that brass looking one currently in the house now.

What do you think of the big black exterior light at the front of the house?

[Anonymous]

I think it looks fine the way it is. I would not change it, either inside or out.

[Anonymous]

Nice house overall. Especially like the stone work outside and the hardwood and light inside. I would:

Replace foyer fixture
Paint fireplace brick and brass
Build book shelves but definitely not to ceiling
Replace exterior wrought iron on front porch (looks pretty dated)

[Anonymous]

OP I think this idea is also a great one for split foyer homes. It is a shelf above the door. Take a look.

http://pinterest.com/pin/154107618471339468/

[Anonymous]

Keep what you have because it's appropriate for the period of the house.

[Anonymous]

If it were me, I'd go contemporary. Your furniture looks more traditional, so I doubt you'd go all out contemporary.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/1068748/Entry-contemporary-exterior-dc-metro

[Anonymous]

22:14 here. oops, sorry. I just realized that the furniture in those pictures is not yours.

Go look at the link I provided. The architect is in Silver Spring and has other photos of split levels re-done. You can get some ideas of what is possible.

[Anonymous]

How much money you got?

Okay, first of all, I think the interior is lovely, and would just need some tweaks to satisfy me as a homeowner. Inside I would, yes, get rid of the iron railings and instead install wood. I LOVE the idea of a floor to ceiling bookshelf replacing the banister. In my mind, I imagining solid storage on the bottom (painted white, simple, maybe shaker style), and on top white wood frame and glass on all sides (lighting installed) so you'd have display space for "pretty stuff." The glass would permit the light to flow through, still, so it wouldn't unnecessarily darken the living room.

Outside, well... yeah, outside isn't exactly beautiful, but it is tidy and well maintained looking.

I think what I might do is extend the front stoop so you have a proper porch that extends all the way to the left (left when facing) of the house. Maybe also to the right for a full-frontal () nearly wrap-around porch. I would replace the wrought iron "columns" -- the don't look substantial enough--with something more solid and strong looking, but still appropriate to the era. I think this would make the entry look grand-er and much more inviting.

I'm going to surf around for a picture... Nope, can't find one in three minutes.

Anyway, if you'd consider a $$ exterior face lift, I'd hire an architect to help you out. I mean, might as well get it done right.

But I do think it's a neat, tidy, inviting house as is, even if--if I were your wife--I'd want to do something "to" it, too.

[Anonymous]

PP Here:

Getting closer to finding what I mean about the interior. Here's a half-wall version. In your home, the column style wouldn't work, and I'm thinking more along the lines of something whose top half would extend all the way to the ceiling... but glass doors in front and a glass "wall" in back so light could pass through the top half...

http://alanandheatherdavis.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/room-divider.jpg?w=620

[Anonymous]

Getting closer...
http://markparsonsdesign.com/picture/dining.jpg?pictureId=3085494&asGalleryImage=true
(would never do a half-shelf for many reasons, including things falling off onto the people below, or even just people--read: my crazy climbing kids--falling off. :eek:

[Anonymous]

Ever clooooooserrrrr:
http://www.stylishlivablespaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Jhinterior-Dining-room.png