photography: Robbie Caponetto Jim Wilson's chalet style home before the renovation.

"I loved the street, and I loved the neighborhood," he says. "This house just needed a front porch to make it feel welcoming." After poring over magazines and books, Jim contacted architect Carol Sundstrom.

Before they began, the design had to pass muster with the area's historic preservation board. Built mostly in the 1880s and '90s, the Old North End community "did not require that the plan be an exact match with the other Victorian homes," Carol says. "They just wanted it to fit within the fabric of the neighborhood."

She and Jim chose a design in the spirit of the Stick style (featuring exposed "stickwork") because of its similar vernacular and lack of fussy architectural details. The decorative truss at the apex of the gable, curved beams, and slender columns create an open and airy feel. In addition, replacing the dark siding with cedar shingles brightened up the exterior. "We also stained the beaded-board ceiling and door with the same tone to unify the various woods and create warmth," Carol says.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

"I didn't want a house where I could just drive my car into a garage, close it, and disappear from my neighbors," he says. "I wanted to maintain interaction." His new porch fills the bill. "There's something magnetic about this porch," Jim says. "Friends walking down the street often just sit down and visit."

Create cottage character with fresh details

Showcase your entry with architectural elements that add curb appeal. Wide steps and a gabled roof create a welcoming front.

Use low-maintenance materials with a classic look. Carol chose ipê wood for the porch floor because of its durability, rot resistance, and dark brown hue.

Choose opaque stains instead of paint for cedar shingles. “Because shingles absorb the stain, you won’t have the prep work that paint requires,” she says.

photography: Robbie Caponetto Bungalow-style details, such as large brick piers, new double-hung windows, and curved brackets, help make the 270-square-foot back porch addition look as if it’s always been there.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

To make the addition seamless, Ken gave the porch architectural details that echo the style of the original cottage. The curved brackets and slope-sided brick piers "pick up on the bungalow's Arts and Crafts language," he says. Planning the middle piers without columns preserves the view.

Ken also continued the cottage's original color scheme. "I picked up the green by painting the railings that color," he says. As an added bonus, this dark choice prevents dirt and fingerprints from showing up.

For Noni, living outside is second nature. "I do everything out here," she says. "I get more work done now that I don't feel so closed in. It's my outdoor living and dining room; my little oasis."

photography: Robbie Caponetto

Design rooms with square or nearly square dimensions for a more conversational seating arrangement. Ken says, “12 by 12 feet will work, but 15 by 15 feet is gracious.”

“Construct the porch with the architectural language of the house so it doesn’t look like an afterthought,” he says. Match the home’s style and no one will be able to tell your porch is new.

Pay for quality craftsmanship. Noni spent a little extra on a carpenter who built the brackets and supporting beams from one piece of wood so they locked into place as one. “It’s a small but essential detail,” Ken says.

photography: Robbie Caponetto Inspired by the crumbling footprint of a previous porch, architects Karen and Jeff Williamson used bricks, river rock quoins (protruding corner details), and Tennessee marble caps from their yard to reconstruct their cottage’s facade.

Taking a cue from books and historic photos, Jeff and Karen designed a space that would reflect the cottage's original charm. "A front porch is the first indication of a home's character," Karen says. "Our goal was to create one that's warm and welcoming."

photography: Robbie Caponetto The Williamson's home before the renovation lacked curb appeal.

Determined to reuse original elements from the previous porch, Jeff and Karen built knee walls using bricks, river rock quoins (for the corners), and Tennessee marble caps they found scattered around the yard. Jeff also replaced the existing concrete walkway with brick for a more inviting front path. Finally, the Williamsons selected historically accurate paint colors for the exterior, installed new light fixtures, and rehung the original front door.

Jeff and Karen are proud of the new face on their cottage. "When you look at bungalows, they always have a signature porch," Jeff says. "Our porch makes our house a home."

Explore your surroundings before starting a renovation. “Homes in historic neighborhoods often were built around the same time by the same contractor,” Jeff says. “Walking down the street may give you some insight into the original look and detailing.”

Seek out historic photographs of cottages in your neighborhood for inspiration. "Local historical societies can be gold mines. You may even find a picture of the original front of your house," he says.

Soften your porch with plants. Karen borrowed some great ideas on container gardening from books to add natural charm to the restored cottage.