Exterior front door

[sophieldean@hotmail.com]

I have recently moved into a wonderful early Georgian house which needs alot of work and am looking to make the front door more imposing by adding an inverted V above the door (not sure of the name of this but have seen photos) and larger steps (sweeping round to the wall).
Any ideas where I could start to look for these or who could make them? I live in Buckinghamshire
Thanks
Mrs Sophie Doherty

 

[Roger H]

Pediment?

 

[angrybird]

A few nice examples
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=georgian%20pediment&term_meta%5B%5D=georgian%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=pediment%7Ctyped

 

[plasticpigeon]

I guess you might be looking for a door case. Are you looking for it to be made of wood or stone? Do you have any idea what it originally looked like? There are a few members here who are leading experts in Georgian architecture, i'm thinking particularly of Gareth Hughes. If you put up a picture, I'm sure you will get some great advice!

 

[sophieldean@hotmail.com]

Thanks for all the responses and images on Pinterest, I will post an image of the front door, of which I want the steps to be stone in answer to the question. I am also looking for a carpenter / expert who can do ceiling tracery! Any ideas? I live in Buckinghamshire.

 

[Penners]

Sophie - I imagine a house of that vintage is listed, or at least in a Conservation Area. Is that right? If so, then before you consider changing its front elevation (or anything else come to that!) you'll need to talk to your local Conservation Officer, and probably apply for Listed Building Consent.

Before you do this, you might also want to have a look at any local houses of similar age and design. Have they got a pediment and steps of the design you're considering? If not, then it may not be typical for your area and you may have considerable difficulty getting the appropriate consents.

By the way, I agree with plasticpigeon - post a photo or two and some of our Georgian experts will, I'm sure, give you some useful comments.

 

[sophieldean@hotmail.com]

You are absolutely right - it is both listed and in a conservation area. I am not sure how it used to look, it is the old vicarage of the village but I can't find pictures of bygone days.
I will post some images and see what feedback I get and will also apply to the council before I do anything!
I would love to meet some of the Georgian experts if they are ever in my area, the house needs to be taken back to its former glory and there is so much to do. I need to find Georgian paint colours for windows and doors to name just a few things!
Thank you, its a great site.
Sophie

 

[LadyArowana]

I have sent you a Private Message with regard to your forum user name, Sorry I can't be any help on the front door, not my area of expertise

 

[Penners]

I have sent you a Private Message with regard to your forum user name

Well done, Yer Ladyship. I wondered whether to mention it.

 

[Penners]

Sophie - to help your researches you might find it useful to join The Georgian Group. They have an extensive library and bookshop of reference works on Georgian houses.

http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk/docs/home/index.php

 

[Nigel Watts]

I know Prince Charles added some extra details to Highgrove to make it look more archetypically Georgian but this can be overdone. Sometimes less is more.

 

[Penners]

I agree. Our red-brick cottage is chronologically Georgian, but it's a very simple, unassuming building. The previous owners clearly thought "Georgian" meant that you have to throw a truckload of mouldings at it. So, among other inappropriate features, we have a huge ceiling rose on the 7ft 6in high dining room ceiling which looks like an enormous flying saucer lowering over the table. We also have extremely fancy acanthus-leaf cornices which would suit Nigel's fine house wonderfully, but make this humble cottage look like an overblown wedding cake.

My attitude to such things is - as Nigel said - if in doubt, don't!