Design Element: Metal and Canvas Awnings

In 2009, I wrote a blog post on this beautiful house, which was on the market at the time. The architect of the house is Keith Summerour. 

I had long admired the design of the house, and particularly liked the awning over the front door.  The color of the metal (zinc perhaps?), the curve of the design, the ornamental metal brackets that hold up the awning are beautiful details on this house. I didn’t know the name of this structure at the time I wrote the post, but several readers informed me that the proper term in ‘awning’.

According to the Wikipedia page on awnings, they are most commonly made of canvas. One of the most familiar uses of awnings are for store fronts, with the name of the shop written across the front. What better example of this than the famous Ladurée of Paris?  When I was in Paris this June, it was quite rainy and we took shelter many times under awnings such as this, which are all over Paris.  Note the wheel on the upper right – this awning is almost certainly retractable.

Another picture of a different Ladurée shop that I found on Pinterest shows an elaborate metal awning. I love this design for the arched door of the entrance.

Striped awnings seem so very Parisian to me. This image is the Hotel Lancaster in Paris. It reminds me of another iconic brownstone that has been blogged about too many times to count…

Miles Redd’s NYC home.  Although the door and the color scheme are often the focus of people’s admiration for this house, I think the awnings definitely add to the beauty and charm, don’t you?

Canvas awnings are commonly used as both a design element and a way to protect doors and windows from the elements. This example is particularly striking, found on the blog Beaux Monde. He completely transformed the look of his back yard with her outdoor set from World Market and those striking awnings made of striped Sunbrella fabric.  I imagine that fabric awnings are best suited for places that don’t get snow (these are in California), as the weight of the snow would certainly damage the awnings – or, the awnings would definitely need to be retractable so they could be pulled back in the winter.

A lovely green striped awning covers a side door. Given the umbrellas by the door, this location probably gets its fair share of rain – and what better way to shelter from the rain when opening the door. Via Pinterest, attributed to Serena Crawford.

I thought this awning was interesting – the window is arched, but the awning is straight. These are almost certainly inswing casement windows, which would allow the awning to stay in place even if the windows are opened.

I found a few dome shaped awnings that provide an alternative to the more straight line style. Here is an extravagant example from the Ritz Hotel in Paris.

Dome awnings over three arched doors work well given the limitations in space due to the door design and roof height. I wonder how much these block the view from the inside? Perhaps they are needed for light control.

I see more metal awnings in Atlanta than canvas.  Although this house is not in Atlanta (I believe it was featured in an old Southern Accents), the design of the awning with its pretty metal brackets caught my eye. I wish I knew which Southern Accents this is in – I have most of the issues from last 10 years of the magazine. I would love to see the inside of this house.

A small metal awning that fits perfectly into the cased door opening.

Another curved awning that complements the color of the lanterns.

This was one of the first awning pictures I found on Pinterest – simple but beautiful.

The angle of the photograph prevents a view of the top design of the awning, but the iron bracket design can clearly be seen from eye level.

A semi-circle design makes an interesting metal awning on this house.

This is a beautiful metal awning, with its delicate lacy pattern that is also reflected in the window boxes above. Via Pinterest.

This ventures more into eave or overhang category, but perhaps inspired by awnings.  Guest cottage designed by Bradley E. Heppner.

An awning that has supports is called a canopy – and this is a beautiful example. By Calhoun Design and Metalworks.

Via the Scout Guide, by Calhoun Design and Metalworks.

Gorgeous metal awning custom designed for this steel window.  Note the scalloped edges of the awning. I believe this is made of zinc.  Architecture by Stan Dixon (he designed the awning too).

I love the design of this awning - the metal goes right up to the bottom of the window on the second floor. Via Pinterest.

I have studied this picture many times. The house has exterior shutters, which are clearly operable. But, the three arched doors also have what appears to be an awning of sorts, or maybe they are solar panels?

Here is a close up from the architect’s website. What do you think? Contemporary awnings or solar panels?  I like that they are out of the way and protect the view from the inside. Architecture by Murphy Mears.

Here is another house from the impressive portfolio of Houston based architects Murphy Mears – and a similar design can be seen on the awning over the arched front door.

Finally, to round out the post, a few more awnings that are neither metal or canvas, and may not even technically be awnings but more eaves or overhangs. Via Pinterest.

I love this picture that I found on Pinterest. The structure is covered with the same material as the roof, and is tucked into the sides of the house and located between the upper and lower floors. The light and view from the windows is not obstructed, and the eave is a beautiful architectural element on the back elevation.

Beautiful arched overhang that reflects the shape of the door and is clad with what appears to be copper. Architecture by Bradley E. Heppner.

This door to the garage is elevated in importance because of the overhang overhead. The roof is clad with the same slate as the rest of the house. Architecture by Frank Neely, image by Limestone and Boxwoods.

A show stopper of an overhang (would you call this an awning?) at a renovation by Stan Dixon; it transformed the whole look and feel of the house. I love how it is anchored into the side of the house.  Architecture by Stan Dixon. Photo by Emily Followill.

What do you think of awnings? Do you have a favorite picture, or a favorite material (canvas, metal, or other)?  Of course, it all depends on the style of window or door, and the reason for the awning – light control, weather protection, or looks. Overall, I think I prefer metal awnings for the beauty of the material and their permanence, but I also really like the clean lined and simple contemporary awnings used on the Murphy Mears projects too; they provide protection without blocking the view or the light.

A big thank you to this pinner’s and her awnings board – she clearly has a love for awnings and is constantly updating her board with new pins.  Because so many of these images come from Pinterest, please let me know if you can identify a source.

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My house list and a great home tour

Living in a city with so many beautiful homes, I get a lot of gratification from driving around town (or walking my dog), and viewing the houses from the street.  There are some houses that capture my imagination more than others, and I have an informal ‘house list’ of houses that I would love to see inside.   Sometimes I get to ‘see’ the inside of a home on my list when it is listed for sale; I have even been known to go to a real estate agent caravan in order to get a peek into a home on my list.  Other times, I am lucky enough to be invited to an event at one of these homes.  But, my favorite way to see a home is through a tour of homes.  Atlantans are often quite generous in sharing their homes with fellow architecture and design fans, and various charitable organizations have capitalized upon this by organizing tours of homes that benefit a designated charity.

I recently learned that there will be a new tour this weekend in Atlanta (10/10/10), presented by Beacham & Company, REALTORS, and benefitting the Special Olympics of Georgia.  On this tour are five wonderful homes, all on the market, and several of them are on my ‘list’.  It is going to be a great tour!

1071 Foxcroft (click here to see listing for more interior pictures).  Listing price: $2,950,000

This beautiful house is located inside one of my favorite Atlanta neighborhoods, Kingswood, and is one of my favorite houses in the area.  It sits atop a beautiful property, sited perfectly on its lot; I have walked my dog by this house many, many times, and always stop to admire it.  When the house went on the market recently, I learned that it had been renovated by one of Atlanta’s premiere architects, Keith Summerour.

A glimpse of the interior, which is decorated in pale and soothing tones. 

The house is ‘L’ shaped, with a pool that is cleverly positioned to frame a central courtyard.  I can’t wait to see this house!  (Photo credits for this house: Blayne Beacham)

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981 Davis Drive (click here to see the listing), listed for $12,000,000 (photo credit: Rod Collins)

This splendid home, designed by Historical Concepts and described as Beaux Arts style, was the 2008 winner of the prestigious Shutze Award awarded by the Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture  & Classical America.  The house won for the 10,000 square foot and above category (it has about 16,000 square feet!).

I have been invited to two events at this home, but was not able to attend either.  I am looking forward to finally seeing this home in person! Photo credit for images above: Blayne Beacham.

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3418 Pinestream Road (click here to see listing).  Listing price: $3,500,000

The house I am most looking forward to seeing is ‘The Pink Palace’, built in 1923 and designed by Philip Shutze (recognized as ‘his first house’).  Modeled after Villa Cussano in Verona, Italy, this house used to sit on a huge amount of land, and faced West Paces Ferry.  Over the years, the owners have sold off much of the land, and the house address is now 3418 Pinestream Road.  

This magnificent Italian style estate is now on the market, and I have heard that most (if not all) of the original Shutze designed architectural features on the interior remain in pristine state, exactly as Shutze designed them.  The price of the tour ticket ($25) is worth the price alone to get to see this beautiful part of Atlanta architectural history. To see more pictures of the interior of this house, please visit the real estate listing.

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For more information on the Tour of Homes benefitting the Special Olympics of Georgia, presented by Beacham & Company, click here or follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/beachamspecialolympicstour. 

Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, 1:00 - 5:00 p..m.
$25 entry fee * per person to tour all 5 homes.   *Entry fee is tax deductible.  Tickets can be bought online or at any of the houses on the day of the tour. 

You may begin tour at any of the following locations:
1071 Foxcroft Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30327

2505 Habersham Road
Atlanta, GA 30305

3418 Pinestream Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30327

3240 Ivanhoe Drive
Atlanta, GA 30327

981 Davis Drive
Atlanta, GA 30327

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New on the market: a Summerour designed home

One of my favorite areas to walk the dog is in the Haynes Manor neighborhood of Atlanta, and as I walk I often wonder what the homes look like on the inside. Thanks to the wonder of online real estate listings, I sometimes get to have a peek into some of my favorite homes. Such was the case recently when I saw a sign on the yard of a home I have long admired.

The architect of the home is Keith Summerour, one of Atlanta's most well respected names in architecture. As soon as I saw the pictures in the listing, I knew that great care had been taken in both the architectural and interior design of the home.

I am not sure how this architectural style would be described, but the overall result is beautiful, classic, and streamlined, with a distinct European flair.

The entry and its metal overhang (there must be a name for this) are the focal point of the front fascade of the house.

In the entry, on the left is the dining room, through an arched doorway.

The real estate listing includes a picture of the dining room table all set for entertaining. White tulips - my favorite!

One of my favorite rooms in this house is the music room/library. This picture is taken with a wide angle lens, which works well for real estate photos because it enables more of the room to be seen. I like how the door is off center to allow for room for the piano. Sometimes it makes more sense not to have a door centered on a wall.

This picture of the room probably gives a better idea of the true size of the room (the previous picture was probably taken with a special lens in order to get a full view of the space). I really love the arrangement in this room; there is a grand piano, but also a seating area and bookshelves. All of the walls, molding, and built-ins are painted out in taupe, with a contrasting black trim on the windows, which gives the space a cohesive and cozy feel.

The foyer can be seen from this angle, and it opens into a stair hall. Great sconces on either side of the opening.

The stair hall opens to the living room. I love houses that have a living room that can be seen when looking to the back of the house from the front door. A backless settee is effective in this space, as it provides seating, but does not block the view of the fireplace. I am unclear what the living room opens to on the left; I suspect it is a wall (with the kitchen on the other side), and the family room on the right. Some architects do not like for the living room to have any kind of view into the kitchen.

A view of the living room from the side; I assume that the hall to the right goes to the master bedroom. The doors on either side of the fireplace open to the loggia, which also has a fireplace.

The family room is a nice space, and on the right (not seen) opens to the loggia which is behind the living room.

This picture shows how the family room and the kitchen are open to each other, yet separate. I am very curious what is behind the wall on the left - the one with the vertically oriented piece of art. Perhaps it is kitchen storage or the kitchen pantry.

Here is a good view of the kitchen and the casual dining space, which are in one big room and seem to have a well thought out design. I really like the painted black trim that is consistent in the public rooms of this house, and it is particularly striking in this kitchen that is predominantly white. I wonder what is inside that corner door to left of the windows? Perhaps it is the pantry. If this is the case, I suspect that the appliances are against the wall on the left, not seen, because I do not see a refrigerator.

The master bedroom is a great space, done in a rich chocolate palate with a touch of robin's egg blue in the window treatments.

A view of the loggia off the family room and living room. This space feels like a real room with its beautiful rug and clock above the fireplace.

The loggia opens to the back yard, which has a pretty creek view.

I hope you enjoyed this tour! This is one of those homes that I immediately felt as if I could very happily live with its floorplan, a sense I often get when I see homes designed by Keith Summerour. His architectural style has great European flair, with flowing floorplans that really make sense for 21st century life. For more information on this home, please see the real estate listing, by Harry Norman Realtors. For more information on the architect, please see the Summerour and Associates website. If you have been in this home, please email me and let me know what you see through the opening in the living room, and where the fridge is located!

All images are via the real estate listing.