At the Intersection of Art, Architecture & Design

I’m in the design process for 3 jobs where a small house has the front door opening directly into the living room — without access to a closet or any other means of transition from outside to inside.  In each case, the client wants to create a foyer but without adding significant, if any, space.  Two of these jobs are in the Takoma Park, MD Historic District where we aren’t allowed to move the front door.  For the 3rd job in Silver Spring, MD, it just doesn’t make sense to move the door.  In addition each of the existing homes has small rooms and the homeowners want to open the house up to long views – inside and outside the house.

Here are 4 solutions to the problem.

Solution 1: Select one side of the house to open up and create a foyer and study on the other side

Solution 1: Take Room for the non-public side

Floor Plan of Solution 1 - After

Existing Floor Plan for Solutions 1 & 2

Solution 2: Create an open “center hall” with Views Straight Through to the Back.  The load-bearing center wall is replaced with a wooden beam and columns that echo the columns on the front porch.

Solutions: Create an open hallway with columns

Solution 2 - View from Front Door Thru to Back Garden/Deck

Floor Plan for Solution 2

Solution 3: For a 1950’s post-war construction home, modern built-ins and a re-faced fireplace create a functional and welcoming entry and living room.  The built-ins provide views into the living room and a place to display sculpture as well as hanging space and drawers

Solution 3: Custom Build-ins

Solution 4: Add a powder room and closet to bound a new foyer.

Solution 4: Use Soffit & Flooring with New Closet & Powder Room

Solution 4: Floor Plan

Solution 4: Existing Floor Plan

When the projects are finished, I’ll be sure to add images of the remodels.

All computer renderings courtesy of Braitman Design/Build.

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