There are a lot of things that make a house unique: its location, its room sizes, its layout, its furnishings, its artwork, etc.  But there are other things too that make a house unique, I like to call those things the little things, the little attention to detail, the little differences that make this house more interesting than the house. The little nook here, the little arch of the doorway there, the elegant newel post, the classic built-in bookcase, the eye-catching mantle… these are the things that make a house unique to me.

It doesn’t matter the age of the house.  These features can be present in newer houses as well as older houses.  Now granted you are more likely to find them in older houses but that doesn’t mean that they cannot also be found in newer houses as well.  All it takes is a little imagination, or a need, or an eye for something more…

Adding Architectural Accents does not have to be a scary undertaking or a huge project. Some of the most interesting accents are the most subtle.  Let’s take the example of a doorway.  Now I am sure you are thinking, “a doorway, whatever is he talking about?”  Well, I’ll tell you.  A standard doorway is rectangular, and that is perfectly fine. But when there is no door why should the doorway be rectangular? I am talking about the doorways between living rooms and dining rooms, kitchens and family rooms.  When a large rectangular space is cut into a wall signifying a doorway, but there are no doors, why can’t it be a curved opening? Or even a pseudo four-centered arch? What about adding columns to the doorway/opening? There are actually quite a few things you can do with a doorway. Below are a few options for the top of doorways.

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Now, wall nooks are another interesting area where you can add architectural details to an existing home.  You can add nooks and crannies just about anywhere in a house. First you need to determine whether you are adding them for a need, like storage, or for design purposes. Once that is decided, you can start mapping out where you would like to add and what you would like the space to look like.  In the case of storage, do you want it visible or hidden? In the case of design, do you want it subtle or pronounced?  These are just some of the questions that you will need to consider when you embark on adding unique design feature to your home.

The fireplace can often be a neglected gem. A blank canvas waiting your input. With a fireplace there is not only the surround to consider, but the hearth, the mantle and the space above the mantle as well.  All in all, quite a bit of real estate with a lot of potential to create something truly inspiring should you be so inclined.  I highly recommend creating a file with all the ideas you like about various fireplaces you see online and in magazines and slowly start merging them into the one that you would like to see in your home. If you have more than one fireplace, so much the better!

Next time we will continue discussing ways in which you can add architectural flair to your home to make it a true standout. Remember Andy onCall is here ready with skilled craftsmen to turn your house into a unique home.