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What are these things projecting from the roof anyway?  They remind me of the razor wire circling the top of a prison fence.  They have no purpose and don’t seem to do much in terms of ornamentation.  It would have been better to leave them off all together.  A builder’s attempt at architecture?  No offense to my many competent builder friends with style.  Maybe it’s a runaway draftsman or home owner playing designer.   In any event, the affect in communication is not very welcoming.  Coupled with the choice of one monolithic and hard material as well as the barricaded front door, this house does not say “Welcome!”  More like, ”Hands up!”  I’d be afraid to be greeted by Jed Clampet with a shot gun upon ringing this bell.

This house on the other hand, doesn’t frighten me upon approach.  But it does make me feel a bit small.  And being 5′6, I think I might pass.  But I will stop and look…..drink it all in, and be impressed.  Good sense of balance and interesting variety of materials.  Love the details and the form.  It feels solid, yet livable.  But so unfortunate that the garage is the most prominent element and that the entrance is squeezed by the mass.  A vice grip comes to mind and I keep going.

Now this…….this says “Welcome.  Come on in.  The coffee’s on.  Bring your friends.   Relax.”  I just love the Celery colored door.  That little extra height (8′ rather than 6′8″) makes all the difference in the world, however I wouldn’t have minded a little more room above it.  But I can forgive that minor flaw because the arch above the door doesn’t make me crouch and I can envision pulling up in a mercedes on a circular drive that deposits me right at that fabulous front door.  Feeling embraced by the form and mass of the U-shaped structure, it’s the perfect scale.   The materials, the color and the composition tell me I am going to be greeted with a smile.  Think I’ll pick up some flowers and a bottle of wine on my way.