“Split” Voting
Election Day. By all accounts, it will be a close one. Like it or not, we only have three choices today (or weeks ago if you voted early). The choices are: (1) Left; (2) Right, or (3) “I’m going to make a point by not voting, or by voting for someone who can’t possibly win.” In our political system, someone has to win. As a practical matter, we must choose sides — one or the other. Left or Right. Upstairs or Downstairs. ”Two men enter, one man leaves . . .” Okay, so the post-Sandy hurricane gas shortage here on the East Coast has me in a “Road Warrior” state of mind. An epic battle for control of what remains of the planet, etc.
I sort of like the Upstairs/Downstairs analogy, if for no other reason than it provides a segue into this Post! Owners of split foyers know that living your life doesn’t require picking a level. You can live fully on whatever level you choose. When you elect to live in a split foyer, you accept that one level could be as important as the other. In fact, you have a foot in each world. It’s more work, moving repeatedly between two planes, but the exercise will do you good. It could also give you a more balanced perspective, from top to bottom, and from bottom to top.
Our Split Foyer remodel is virtually complete, except for some tile work above the kitchen sink counter and some window treatments (if we do any at all). I thought Election Day would be a good time to share the results, and let you vote. Yeah or Nay. Or split your vote. You won’t have that opportunity at the polls today!
Front Entry, Steel V-post Entry Overhang
- Facade, from Street
- Another facade image, from addition side
- Facade, from driveway side
- Another angle, across facade
- Addition side
- Galvanized leader detail – Industrial Element?
- New Kitchen, from Livingroom
- New Kitchen, from Dining Room
- View to deck through new Slider
- View from Kitchen to Livingroom
- Livingroom
- New Addition, from Existing LR
- View into Kitchen from Entry Foyer
- Viola Park walnut cabinet detail
- Finished Kitchen (almost)
Great job!
As another bi-level/split-foyer/etc. sufferer, I’m glad I found your blog. In an ironic twist I moved from a nice, not exceptional or noteworthy and sort of small but still nice, mid-century modern house into a bi-level for more space and a much better location (mountain view across a lake!)
As I start planning for a remodel all the same design considerations come up plus some: do we go with mid-century, contemporary, modern, arts and crafts, usonian? What will work for the house? What about the neighborhood? How do we add the space we want without building a monster? How do we afford it?
My current thought is two small shed dormers in front break up the roof line and add some views to the mountains. An entry pushed forward to further break up the plane of the house and give a little room to greet guests. Plus a small addition on the side of the house adds room to move the kitchen from the dark back of the house to the front side with the view.
Thanks for all the great links too. Some really good ideas there.
Eric, your rationale for moving and your vision for transforming your split makes a lot of sense to me. I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation. In the end, we need to be happy WHERE we live, even if the home doesn’t always match our expectations. I’m glad you found some inspiration here. Please share some images when you are ready with your project.
congrats on a successful project!
Love the final siding finish decision….
Thanks Terry. It was a little bumpy, but in the end we are happy with the final product. We have been pleasantly surprised by all positive feedback on the siding finish. Most love it.
A word of caution to others considering the black stain. On account of all the pigment in this “color”, it shows every fingerprint and minor scrape. It gets a little better after a couple of months, but it will always be a bit of a nuisance. I suppose using an eggshell black finish (or semi-gloss) paint might have helped, but a “shiny” back house was not what we were after!, and I think the stain is more durable. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t foresee the problem because I like the look so much — had we known, we might not have done it. Ignorance is bliss, at least in this case!
My husband and I are in the process of purchasing a small split foyer and we DREAM of a modern home. I am SO glad I found your blog! You house looks amazing and is very inspiration as to the potential, great, great job. Lisa
Hi Lisa, sometime in the near future I plan to post other remodels of split foyers, and am happy to share them with you. I’m glad we could provide some inspiration.