Fixing a French house style, 2 very different options 

I always hear people say Europe has beautiful architecture and it sure does but we also have beautiful architecture that is respective to our history. I’m glad that there are people like you that want to advise people to design their homes displaying our history.

Can’t wait to know what they picked. I LOVE the Colonial so stately looking.

I like the French style because of the big windows, views, and light coming in. It would be nice to see more videos about how to design houses with big windows better.

I don't normally prefer the French styles. But that sketch is one that I think I do prefer. Love the entrance design.

love this so much. Maybe you could also do a video on how to create a very whimsical storybook cottage but still decently accurate?

Wow, colonial revival is HUGE improvement!!!

Left side of that first layout looks great. Colonial is a fun idea but doesn't look as much fun.

I like the third design best🎉 JIM ❤

Вrent, I don't have your mail or any other means of contact. Therefore, I use the comments to express my gratitude for Your book Traditional American homes. For me it is a Bible of trim. I regret that only recently have got access to it in electronic form via an internet library and didn't know about it before. Unfortunately , no chance to buy a hard copy for me due to political restrictions, since pay systems and Amazon don't deal with Russia now 😢 Anyway, you book is absolutely unique in its detailed and comprehensive analysis and description of classic historical trimming. Thanks a lot! And sorry for this irrelevant acknowledgement 😊

I'd keep the original. Unlike a lot of the other projects we've seen the original is actually quite attractive and not worth the expense to achieve a perfect "traditional" facade.

I'm more into colonial and the revival styles. But that French is very charming.

The French style is my preferred style and they did do three paneled French windows partially correctly (except for the glass in the bottom, and the incorrect spacing). I DO like the addition of quoining and the hooded lintels over the windows. BUT I think the changes to a colonial revival would be a MUCH BETTER improvement, despite the more extensive changes involved. The remedy of such a switch would significantly improve that roof line by reducing that step back in the central line, especially by increasing the pitch of the hipped roof. And don't get me started on that front door!!

Hey Brent - could you do a few videos of you doing the sketches and documenting your process for designing/sketching your ideas on the trace paper?

I like the French better as I don’t like Colonial at all. I’d add more dormers and slant toward Tudor if you want to do English or think European. But I’m bias to French design.

I would love to hear about the owners’ reaction to finding out they have a Colonial Revival hiding in their house.

For the first time I like eclectic pastiche better. The right side of YOUR French design isn't correct, isn't traditional, isn't historically informed (because of the upper window in the middle of the bays)... but it's really really pretty, though I'd like to see the ground floor windows have more presence. It has a balance and stability, but also grace. Forgive me. My vocabulary is lacking. You always make me think. Can't begin to say how much I appreciate your taking the time to make these Wednesday design videos. Thanks again.

Hi Brent! Can you do a video on how to make and install block modillion molding that would fit the scale of the average 8ft room? Thank you!

Great video, Brent. Both French and colonial redesigns are vast improvements. However you may have delayed the project because it will be hard for the clients to decide now. Be that as it may, the clients will be glad they hired you because you gave them more than they'd asked. My opinion? I like both of your French and colonial redesigns. I'm not sure at all which one I'd choose if it were my house. That's why I think the clients will be stymied as well. Congratulations.

I prefer the right side of your Colonial sketch with the hip roof. To keep the house more settled and calm, I would choose English bonding.

Colonial revival with the Flemish bond !

There are just so many things that aren't right in the original house as a "French" one, but the one thing that's right is that arched window in the middle, which does look like the real thing. But, all the other windows seems wrong, and as you mentioned on the right having one window in between above the two windows below is just not right. Also, the door/windows just seem too wide in proportion to their height, and then having the same height windows on the 2nd floor is so wrong. I think the coings you show look good. Getting rid of the balustrade, too. What would it look like keeping with the French style to narrow the windows, put ones above them that are shorter still (and possibly all arched like the center one, possibly narrower, too?). Also, usually the windows are white, not dark. That might be one thing that is throwing the proportions off. Also, should be far more mullions in the windows, and often a matching transom above the windows (that doesn't necessarily open). And you're right that the front door is all wrong, too. It's much too wide. Maybe narrower with a sort of carriage light on each side would look better. I sort of like the bullseye windows, but usually they aren't right at the top of the peak, and the pitch of the roof is quite a bit steeper. Seems like a lot to do to really make it look French, so maybe the colonial style would end up working better. Unfortunate they did so many things wrong to begin with. Anyway, very curious to what they say.

It must be real expensive to raise the roof

I like the unique character it has but with a few minor changes that you mention. But to completely change it to Colonial would be Too much. They were attracted to this for a reason.

Interesting details! I wonder which method yielded a stronger load-bearing masonry wall - English or Flemish? My guess is the Flemish. Also, a brick contractor told me that load-bearing masonry (e.g. porch columns) is looked down upon these days. Any idea why?

Here is an example of a bad house with the bones of a good one - whether Federal, Georgian, or "French," it has many possibilities. Details like the staggered windows infuriate me - why don't these homebuilders know better? I understand the desire for privacy on the second level (i.e., smaller window area) versus light on the first level (i.e., larger window area,) but there are endless ways around this dilemma (i.e., place bedrooms on the back elevation, invest in curtains, etc.)

This is another example of unnecessary projections. Removing them and flattening out the facade makes all the difference. I see these discretionary projections in normal-sized houses all the time, and they just make the facade look busier than it needs to be.