stage four

With the interior of the house done to her satisfaction, Emma finally got back to the exterior. She had had the old rotten siding removed and the entire exterior covered with foam sheathing for insulation then planned on using horizontal siding in a cream color since it was much more economical than new diagonal siding would have been. However after doing a computer mockup of the house she wasn't satisfied with the way it was going to look. Two stories of plain siding and no shutters or any architectural detail to break up that facade was going to look pretty bland. She shopped for shutters but couldn't find any that she thought would look right. Ellery offered to custom make some for her but after trying out various ideas on her computer model she decided instead to borrow a Victorian idea and use scalloped shingles in a different color on the upper story. She thought that would add just the right amount of contrast. For the color she chose one of the darker shades found in the fieldstone foundation. She loved those old stones. Ellery had told her that they were all quarried right there on the property. Or maybe just picked up off the surface of the ground. She started roaming the woods looking for more loose rocks and found gazillions of them. Enough to use for paths and the patio/driveway that she envisioned. She also found a large outcropping of a dark mottled shale. She decided that would make a perfect accent for the center of the patio and she also wanted to use it for a 'dismounting block' in front of the house. Since visitors had to park at curbside she wanted them to be able to get out of their car without having to walk on possibly wet grass or dirt. One of Ellery's cousins was a skilled stone worker so she hired him to build all of it for her. She also designed a little flower garden in the area where the old privy had been and included a small fountain. That would be quite pleasant when lounging or dining on the patio.
Front view


Entrance view 1


Entrance view 2


Patio/driveway


Patio garden


Ready for Supper
When Em wants to eat on the patio she has a folding table and chairs that she keeps in the little storage building behind the house when not in use.

Side Entrance
The side entrance provides quick access to the kitchen. A small fenced area behind the little porch makes a secure place to keep the trash can.

View toward the street


Aeriel view