An Old House Renovation gives this Ugly Duckling House a 2nd Chance.
Most old house makeovers are done badly and actually make the house worse giving it bad curb appeal as you can see.
This house at 59 Broadway, Freehold, NJ is a victim of Bad Home Improvements and in desperate need of help.
Let’s rehabilitate this house together!
This old house renovation was performed live on OHG Facebook as members submitted their input. They were able to see this house made beautiful right before their eyes.
original post:
With so many of your Face Book comments and ideas you posted about this house, YOU can now help perform an old house renovation and you don’t have to leave your computer.
I will make the changes graphically and post them here with explanations as the work is performed. Your input on the changes can be sent via the comments section below. You will see each step as I update this page.
The house may not be perfect but we can improve it together. From new windows to what type of curtains and landscaping.
This will be fun for those who understand the problems with this house and a good learning experience for those who are yet unable to recognize them.
You are invited to participate – bring your friends too!
The following shows changes that were made to this house based on comments through Face Book and email. Here is what we did. . . . . .
To the right is a Sanborn Map. If you do not know what they are, here i s a link that should help .
See the outline of the historic house – #57
As you see in the current photo, a really bad looking one story addition was added on from the front of the rear section to where the original porch ended. This map is from 1916. The dotted line shows the porch.
The main section shows a “2” which means 2 floors, and the back section shows a “1” for 1 floor. That back section is currently 2 floors.
I don’t know how old the house is but I am guessing 1890-1910.
As you see there is a 1st floor addition which really distracts you by the ugly design. We will NOT remove this addition even though removal will greatly improve curb appeal.
The purpose is to show the impact of a more simple old house renovation. Old house makeovers do not have to be drastic to improve appearance.
Here is the house before they did their remuddling. It still looks bad although not as bad as it does after they remodeled it.
Let’s fix the awful 70’s style Mansard roof on the addition.
This roof style is a 1970’s version of a Mansard Roof used on Second Empire styled buildings most popular 1865-1880. This addition is bad and the roof which doesn’t belong just makes it worse.
The roof here should be much flatter. This is an addition so there was not an original roof. Options are a shed roof or hipped roof. I will construct a hipped roof. The problem with a roof here is that the addition goes back far and the roof when viewed from the side would have a very shallow slope.
Here is a new lower roof – not much better. Just not as noticeable. I also added a fascia and cove molding around the edge.
Next step – let’s remove vinyl siding.
REAL wood siding – looks better already!
Let’s keep the color the same as the plastic siding – it’s a nice green color and good for the period of the house.
Windows are most important for a good old house renovation
What type of windows 2-over-2 or 6-over 1?
The votes are in for 6 over 1 windows . Either would be correct for this house as would be 1-over-1. We really don’t know the year but I would guess it can be as old as 1890 ish and we know it’s on a 1916 map.
I will install true divided light six-over-one wood windows.
Notice on the original photo the monster sized window casings . Why would anyone install something like that? How can the developer that did this not realize that look so bad? This is where the old house makeover really makes an impact.
The new windows will have 4 1/4” casings and a simple drip edge on top.
A note about the windows – they seem pushed to the side because of the angle the photo is taken.
A new period front door.
I need a new front door. If someone has a photo or can find a good one on the internet, please send me the link or email. The image should be good quality and be at a similar angle. Door knobs can be with the door or separately. Don’t forget a light fixture.
Curtains or roller shades, shutters and landscape to follow.
I changed the trim color from white to a light tan. Tan provides a softer feel to the house. There are many nice white colors – white does not have to be a bright harsh white. Unfortunately white is stigmatized for seeing white windows one would think they are plastic just because they are white.
Here it is with a new door and surround. The house looks vacant with those bare windows – time to add curtains.
Here it is with curtains. Now it’s time for shutters. I thought of red since the green is a bit drab. Black would also work nice. Any comments?
Real Wood Shutters are a must for an old house renovation
Shutters are red. Keep in mind that these images are drastically reduced in size and quality for the web. My view when working on it shows every detail and shadow. You can count the louvers in the shutters and see reflections in the glass.
What this house needs is a Frieze Board at the top and a Water Table at the bottom.
I did not continue this trim on the addition. For one reason, we don’t want to draw attention to it. Additionally the clapboard is lower along the foundation in that section and the water table should continue around the house at the same height. Above there is not enough space for a frieze board.
Door Canopy
It’s not nice to leave your guest outside in the rain. A canopy over the door will offer that protection.
Landscaping is the finishing touch for an old house makeover.
Here it is! Click to enlarge.
The landscape should draw your eyes to the left so you don’t notice the bad addition.
I know – it’s April and the trees are bare but I have some trees with leaves. You get the idea. Once the other trees fill in the house will look better yet.
I hope you have enjoyed this old house renovation. If you feel your house can use some help, send me an email!
Ken – the Old House Guy
UPDATE: This house is now for sale by the developer who destroyed it. They added some very tacky ornamental plants since we did this work. I contacted the Realtor and offered her free use of these photos to show potential buyers how this house can be improved. Update: In 2020 this house is for sale again but the realtor Christina Gelpi at Christi Keys Realty couldn’t bother getting back to me.
Anonymous says
6 over 1.
mpope says
I think a railing of some sort over the flat roof would add attraction to this weird addition, like a widows walk kinda railing and banister.
Old House Guy Blog says
Yes you’re right. It would be better on a more formal house such as a Queen Ann or Colonial Revival.
Anonymous says
Do you know if it is really expensive to replace vinyl siding with wood siding? This post makes me wonder about the possibilities for my own house! Mine is full brick and the only parts with vinyl siding are where they replaced the wood trim under the eaves of the hipped roof, the trim around the windows, etc. as well as where they enclosed the upstairs sleeping porch, so that shouldn’t be as expensive as replacing vinyl on the entire house! I almost thought about trying to paint the vinyl because I don’t like my brown trim color, I want a crisp white to contrast with the red brick, but if I could easily and not too expensively replace it with real wood siding that would be much better! Thanks, I love your blog!
Old House Guy Blog says
Hi – I really don’t know price comparison – I have heard different conflicting stories from people. The wood will sure give your house a softer look.
I would suggest that instead of painting trim white to match the brick, match the mortar. A neutral tone will really look good. Try Benjamin Moore HC81 or HC83.
Christine says
Looks great! I love seeing it come into its own.
Old House Guy Blog says
Actually – so do I and I do this often for people. I can’t wait till the end.
Tweedle Dee says
Looks great! I would have done 4 over 1 windows and a panel door.
Old House Guy Blog says
Thanks. The door although period is not good on the house but it was a quick fix. I did have a better door but not the time to set it up.
4/4 windows would make the window lights appear more square – similar to replacement windows today. Window lights should be based on the golden rectangle to be architecturally correct and more pleasing to the senses.
P.j. says
Wow~~what an improvement! All the architectural details are much more pleasing to the eye, & the the landscaping is the icing on the cake! We need you to help us plan the exterior restoration of our c. 1851 historic home. Photos of the original architectural rendering & more recent exterior photos are posted on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MorganManorBedandBreakfast History is provided at http://www.1853morganhouse@blogspot.com
The bricks were made on site, with a tan coating fired on. A previous owner had the house sandblasted 40+ years ago, so at some point we plan to restore the original color with tan paint. :-/ The shutters & belvedere were removed long ago, but parts of the tower’s arched top window frames (badly rotted) were stored in the attic & can be used as patterns. Most of the cast iron railing from the 2 level porches in front were saved when they were removed. The last owner added a more colonial style portico added to the front, & an upper level porch was removed after tornado damage in 1990.
Old House Guy Blog says
Yes – I know your home. I am a fan of your FB page. You have a wonderful house! Would love to help you if I can!
Ken
Anonymous says
How much is that doggie in the window?
Kate says
Definately an improvement, but would prefer to see more consistency with its Greek Revival style. The facade around the corer on the left looks like the original volume was built to be pretty faithful to the style. The oval window is more Victorian, and a shed/gable roof would have been more consistent.
Although – professional preservationists prefer that new additions not try to fool you into thinking they’re original, so they don’t give an impression of a history that isn’t really there, so…
Ken Roginski says
Hi Kate – I totally agree with you about the oval glass Victorian door. It was chosen in haste at the time when making changes live on Face Book.. Although that doesn’t mean that I can’t or shouldn’t correct it now.
A gabled roof over the addition would create a bad drainage problem between the two story and one story block. A shed roof would not look design conscience. The addition does not belong but tried to play it down with more of a porch roof using a hip roof instead of a flat tin roof.
Yes – the addition is far from representing a false sense of history.
ps: This house is still for sale.
Marcia Newcome says
I am seeing this a decade later, but that front door with the oval glass is not working for me either, given the Greek Revival form of the original house. I moved to CT almost a year ago, and there are many Greek Revival homes here of varying size, simplicity, and sophistication, including my own “Frankenstein” with a late 1800s three story octagonal tower where the original off center entry door would have been.
Ken Roginski says
Agreed – a hasty choice.
Tricia says
Why didn’t you just mimic the roof line of the 2 story portion of the house?
Ken Roginski says
To put a gable on the addition would make the gable too large and wide and out of proportion to the main gable. The addition really should not be there so a roof should not attract your attention or compete. Actually porch roofs should barely be visible from the street as not to compete with the main roof. Unfortunately over the years many homeowners increased the slope and extended their porch roof to right under the 2nd floor windows.
John says
I love your changes. I would’ve either had a pair of lamps flanking the front door, or a single pendant hanging from the gable roof. Love your blog!
Bob Sapp says
Ken,
I am blown away by your work! What I like the most is how you utilized style to enhance without breaking the bank.
I have sent you my contact information and have two homes and a shop we are converting to a small home, which we will retire to as a result of needing a one story dwelling , which can more easily accomidate a wheel-chair.
Looking forward to you guidance and again, deeply admire and respect what you are doing for home owners like us every where with your site…offering real hope for a very reasonable fee!
Major Bob
Katie Liljenquist says
Wow. What an impressive transformation without requiring a total facelift! Truly captivating to watch your artistry and knowledge of historically authentic details come together in an economical way.
Lesly says
This is great, and I love how I’m able to follow along with the transformation picture by picture. What kind of program do you use to make these changes?
Ken Roginski says
photoshop
Robert Gallant says
Lots of interesting information on this web site. I’ve had an 1886 Victorian for about 40 years now and am currently in the process of bring it back to as close as possible to its original splendor. the house is in the Springfield Mass., Hill Mcknight Historic District and was originally built as a two family with one family living on the first floor and the other occupying the second and third floors. When I originally bought the house it was occupied by one person, 15 rooms. The whole house was painted one color – white, Yuch! I saw the potential but until now have not had the resources to do justice to the restoration.
Over the years I’ve maintained the one color and through some research found a possible reason for this disaster paint scheme. Apparently around 1917 there was a house fire in the house north of my house. This fire seriously burned the north side of my house and all of the siding , trim and windows had to be replaced. It appears that when they replaced the clapboard siding it was done incorrectly and they didn’t replace the trim boards under the windows and all of the clapboard do not line up with the rest of the house. I’ll take some pictures and request that you provide photos with the four colors I’ve selected (based on original paint color forensics). should make my painting much easier. Love the work you’ve done on my daughters house in Suffield, Conn..
Eve Celsi says
Just found this website- a font of information and a total delight! I live in the Historic Irvington Neighborhood of Portland Oregon, and now wander around looking for principles learned here, so thank you! One question about the FB house improvement project- It doesn’t look like there is actually enough space for a shutter on the first floor window adjacent to the doorway… that lack of “breathing room” for the window is what makes the addition look so awful to me. Did you have to fudge that on the rendering, or is there some other solution I’m missing? Also, looks like you aren’t taking new work right now? I would love to have you work up color schemes for my big old 1911 craftsman… please advise, and be well,
Eve
Ken Roginski says
Hi – yes, there are many situations where a shutter does not fit like we are accustomed to seeing. The shutter must therefore be attached to the side wall. Here is more info about these situations. https://www.oldhouseguy.com/shutter-situations/ Projects are on hold for now. Need to catch up, give a try in a month or two. thanks!