Architecture David Falk Design Architect Santa Ana Orange County
Ross Street
I was approached by my client to renovate a neglected 1920’s home of a noted historic district. The home had a great original floor plan that needed to be reinvigorated. The 1970’s kitchen, bathrooms and master bedroom were all stripped down to studs and rebuilt. The client wanted everything to be seamless- no distinction between old and new. The client also wanted to boost the curb appeal to bring the home more in line with its characterful neighbors.
The original house was designed in a French Norman style- often confused with Tudor style homes. The French Norman style can be identified with hip roofs as opposed to gabled roofs. To increase the curb appeal, the ‘French-ness’ of the home was increased. Dave Falk, with a deep knowledge of architectural history referenced the Château des Thons as design inspiration for the renovation (see reference image in the gallery below). The most distinctive additions are the three dormers with niches. Into these niches are placed lidded urns. Certainly fanciful, the addition of the terrace with balusters, the window surround with quoins, and the dormers with urns increased the wow factor, but once complete even neighbors couldn’t quite remember if they were original or added! |