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landscape designPorches & DecksDesign Dilemma
gdogtlaw

Front Porch dilemma, five pillars not connected to anything...

Greg P
5 years ago

I have 5 Pillars in front of my house. They used to be connected to the house by a wooden overhang where you could grow vines. I removed the wood because it was rotting and now I have these 5 pillars not connected to the house. My thought is to keep two of them (the two on the end) and build a stone or wood fence, but then the top still wouldn't be connected. I could also keep the two closest to the front door to make some sort of gate in front. I could simply remove them all. Thought? Thank you!


Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Yardvaark
    5 years ago

    As they are today, the posts/columns are quite clunky looking with the collar detail. If you remodeled their upper portions with more graceful looking cap & collar, I think it has possibilities ... if you want to start developing a courtyard of some kind. I'm playing with it here as an exploration. I think it would require more furnishings to provide interest (a water feature possibly) and improved architectural details on the house. The colonnade could be the basis of some dramatic night lighting.


    Comments (20)

    • littlebug zone 5 Missouri
      5 years ago

      I can’t wrap my head around either of the two scenarios you mention using only a few of the existing pillars.

      I would remove them all, or replace what you removed with new wood.

    • PRO
      Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
      5 years ago

      I agree with the poster above. Either replace the wood or remove all of the pillars.

    • mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
      5 years ago

      This is AWESOME! I so wish I had monoliths. My biggest hangup is that I'm not sure I'm willing to mow around them, and the best place for them would be the side yard. You could:

      • put large wooden lintels across the tops, rather like Stonehenge
      • build fence pieces between all but the center two, for an entrance
      • put statuary on the tops
      • paint fancy designs on them, either the same or different for each post

      That is just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are a lot more non-gray, non-neutral ideas out there.

    • gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
      5 years ago

      Another voice for removal! They serve no purpose, are not the slightest bit welcoming and only help to obscure the entry, which should be open and fully visible. And they just look wrong!

    • PRO
      BeverlyFLADeziner
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      It was a great idea, but the scale of the columns overwhelms the scale of the home.

      First ask yourself if this is the proper location for a pergola or outdoor room? In front of the house?? Take a look at your home and see if perhaps some of those windows should be changed out to add some interest to the front of the house.


      The whole thing can be made from either synthetic wood or aluminum but landscaping is just as important to have it be successful.







    • cpaul1
      5 years ago

      I'm just a big believer in things having a purpose. And I just don't see what purpose those would have. Your home is not the style to make a wooden pergola with them. And your house is already low and dark so that would just add to that which isn't good. I don't think fencing in the front of your house at that height would look good at all. So I would probably cut them in half and connect them with a iron/metal fencing to create some architectural detail to the front of your house (as your house is rather flat and plain). If you didn't want to do that, then I would just remove them. What you really need to do next is paint your house a lighter color. It's just too dark and that color matches too closely with the driveway pavers.

      Greg P thanked cpaul1
    • hazelcraddock
      5 years ago

      mad_gallica Cue music "2001 a Space Odyssey"

    • Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
      5 years ago

      Mad, you cracked me up and unfortunately I was sipping my tea! OP, do y be ou have any pictures BEFORE you removed the wood so we can have some sort of visual. I'm thinking this entire thing is a NO, but could be persuaded to add back the roofing. While I agree, generally this sort of thing is for the back of a house, it may the only area for outdoor seating and one can't really see how visible this is from the street. I definitely wouldn't leave them "as is".

      Greg P thanked Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
    • Christopher CNC
      5 years ago

      Even without the pergola roofing connected to the house, the pillars have a very obvious function. That would be preventing cars from driving into the living room. If the existing paving Is staying the same, every effort should be made to reincorporate the pillars into a remodel of the entire front entry. Something has to keep the cars from parking smack up against the house. You know someone would do it and not give it a second thought. Plenty people are lazy.

      Greg P thanked Christopher CNC
    • Anne Duke
      5 years ago
      Knock those things down.
      Greg P thanked Anne Duke
    • greenfish1234
      5 years ago

      Replace pergola AND vines or bye-bye. Do not get jiggy with these!

    • PRO
      CB Conlin Landscapes Inc.
      5 years ago

      My vote goes to keeping them and tying them together with an arbor structure on top similar to the photo Yardvaark posted above. You could take it one step further and use hedgerows or fencing to close off all but one entry and create a really nice courtyard sitting area within. Inside the courtyard you need a better balance of hardscape/softscape. If you don't want to go the front patio route you could leave the main walkway to front door, install the hedgerows between the other posts, install some foundation plantings along the front of the home and introduce an open grass panel inside for interest.

    • Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      What is the entire hardscape area for.... is that parking? I don't actually see any soil where you could plant vines or roses. Where do you live?

    • floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
      5 years ago

      There are beds at each end and it should be easy enough to make planting holes at the pillar bases by removing a couple of blocks. That is, of course, if vines are wanted.

    • Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
      5 years ago

      Thanks. I couldn't really see that on my screen. :)

    • decoenthusiaste
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      Float decorative wood on some; eliminate others

      Whisper Rock Residence · More Info


      Eliminate some and add a gate to others

      Gardens · More Info


      Another gate idea

      Martell Garden · More Info


      Balance a pergola on top

      2013 ALE: Restoration of Rose Valley Farm · More Info


    • emmarene9
      5 years ago

      I have a general aversion to paving that meets the foundation of a building. Reminds me of strip malls.

      It looks like a hot patio area. I would not spend to recreate a pergola which you may not even want.

      I would remove them and attempt to make the house itself more appealing.

      Before any of that I would see to having the tree trimmed that is flopping on the roof. It is bad for the shingles in addition to making the house seem abandoned.

      As an avid gardener I also have to say that caring for a vine on a pergola is not work free. Some vines need to be trained or tied and pruned when needed. Also, leaves and flowers fall on the pavement and need swept up. A gardener might enjoy that work but many people do not. Not to mention that roses and bougainvillea both have thorns. It is just something to consider.

      A more long term goal would be to remove some of the paving to allow for foundation plants.

      Greg P thanked emmarene9
    • harold100
      5 years ago

      I would knock those down and place some large flower pots in those areas to keep the cars back away from the house.

    • Jora
      5 years ago

      Am I the ONLY one who loves them? Paint them off white (along with the house) and turn them into Pergolas! :)

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