Would You Put Shutters On These Windows?
Yesterday, I was outside trying to get the exterior of the studio French doors ready to be painted. Since my first goal this year is to finish the back entry of the studio, I can’t really consider the back entry finished unless the exterior of the doors is painted also. After all, what’s the point of having a pretty, finished interior entryway when the exterior leading to that entryway looks unfinished?
There’s no way to have the carport look perfectly put together right now. No matter how much organizing I do, there will still be tools, ladders, and tables out here since this is basically my workshop until I can actually build a workshop in our back yard. But at least I can get it a little more put together than it currently is, and I’d love to have pretty exterior doors leading to a pretty studio back entry. And right now, there’s nothing pretty about these doors.
So I spent a ridiculous amount of time yesterday trying to clean these filthy doors, which I don’t think have been cleaned since they’ve been installed. In fact, I know they haven’t ever been cleaned because there are dark gray splatters at the bottom of the doors are concrete that splashed onto the doors when the ramp as being poured. So after years of neglect, these doors were so filthy.
It would have been so much easier to get these doors clean if we had a water spigot in the back yard somewhere, but we don’t. The entire exterior of our house only has one spigot, and it’s in the front on the opposite end of the house from the carport.
So I walked to the front of the house to see if I had enough water hoses to link together and reach all the way around to the carport so that I could use my sprayer to clean the doors. I didn’t. But while I was walking around to the front, I began to take notice of all of the little (and some not so little) projects that need to be finished on the front of our house.
One thing I’ve really been wondering about lately is whether or not I should add shutters to the windows on our front porch.
When I made the shutters several years ago (you can click here to see how I made them), I decided to make them for the two windows on the left side of the house, and then the three windows on the studio. I left shutters off of the front porch window because I was afraid it would look too crowded.
But sometimes I do wonder if it would jazz up the front porch a little, and I do think the front porch could use a little more detail like that. Here’s a quick mock-up that I did showing what shutters may look like on those windows.
I think I like it! I still have windows that just simply can’t accommodate shutters. There’s no room. The breakfast room windows that are in this little alcove area (can I use the word alcove for an outdoor space?) extend almost the whole way across the available space, so shutters are out of the question on those windows.
Here’s a better view of it. Evidently, this used to be a covered but open walkway between the main house and the garage (i.e., my studio) that was closed in at some point to create more indoor space. If you look close, you can even see exterior steps leading to the front wall of the breakfast room.
And then these to side windows, which are the windows that flank the living room fireplace, have no room for shutters, either.
But there is room on the front porch for shutters, and I can’t help but wonder if I should just go ahead and add them.
As I was making my mental list of all of the little unfinished projects, these two windows on the left side of the house had to be added. The window on the far left lost a shutter about two (maybe three) years ago, and I’ve just never taken the time to put it back up because I still need to figure out exactly how to do it.
The reason it came down is because there are only two screws going through the shutters and into the stone holding these shutters up right now. Frankly, I’m amazed that they’ve stayed up as long as they have! We had crazy high winds yesterday, and I was sure I’d lose at least one more shutter, but I think they all survived.
The reason they’re not secured better is because when we had our old windows, these hinges were actually used to secure the inside edges of the shutters to the window trim.
But then when the new windows were installed, there was no way to secure the hinges to the new trim. So the inside edges of the shutters aren’t attached to anything at all.
So the only things holding the shutters up are two screws per shutter on the outer edges of the shutters going through the shutters and into the stone. I’m genuinely amazed that they haven’t all fallen down by now.
And then the trim on the other window has never been finished. I remember being out there painting trim when my neighbor came over to visit. She and I talked for about 45 minutes, and by the time she left, the sun had completely gone down and there was no way to finish. So I put everything away and never went back to finish it. I’m embarrassed to even tell you how long ago that was.
So I have lots of little projects that need to be finished. I’ve had these projects on my to-do list for so long now, and I really want to finish them this year! At one point, I had actually scheduled a handyman to finish up all of these little projects for me. He came to my house, gave me a price, and said he’d be back the next week. He never showed.
So I’m not going to rely on anyone else to do them for me. And I really want this to be the year that I finally get some landscaping around the house. That would make all the difference in the world!
But for now, what say you about those shutters? Yay or nay? I think they would look nice, but I don’t want to go to the trouble and expense of making them and then decide not to use them.
Since I was taking pictures, I snapped a few more of the whole exterior. I was losing daylight very fast, so I had to lighten these pictures quite a bit so things would show up. I’ll have to get better daylight pictures at another time. But this little house has come a long way!
If you’re new around here, here’s a little glimpse of what the house looked like when we bought it.
So it has been vastly improved, but it would look so much cuter if I could get all of these nagging unfinished projects completed and get some flower beds marked off and planted this year. The driveway and front yard grass may have to wait until after the addition is built, though.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I think the shutters on the living room windows are a 6 of one, half dozen of another situation. You could put them there and they would look perfectly fine. Or you can leave them off and it still looks fine – the pics don’t leave me with a feeling something is missing. I guess I’m saying it is a case of whether you want to go to the trouble or not.
As for the back window under the carport – I think I would leave them off because while you have no workshop they are just going to collect sawdust every time you do some cutting out there.
I like the look of shutters on the front. For the side windows I would place some wooden blocks into the wood frame of the window and attach the shutter to that.
Sheila F.
My thoughts EXACTLY! We think alike.
I know you have the mock up, but why not use the shutter that fell off the other window to see what it would look like. You could prop it up on something to get an idea. Maybe on the side with the door to see if it looks too crowded.
It sure has come a long way! Such a cute house! I think the shutters on the porch windows would look very nice. As for the other shutters, is there such a thing as construction adhesive that would hold the shutters to the stone? Hah, if I lived closer, I would come down and do your landscaping for you!
You’ve done an amazing job with this house – it looks so inviting! At first I thought no to the front porch shutters but after seeing the mock-up, it’s a definite YES!
I agree!
I like the house without shutters on the front porch. It gives the eye a rest and it seems more interesting not to have them on all the (possible) windows. What about having something to the right of the far window in the same/similar shutter color. I don’t know what it would be… a trellis? Something architectural that would add height to the porch.
I love shutters, but I think with the door having glass the shutters will be a lot wider than the sides if the glass, overpowering the door. I think more narrow shutters would look “off” especially since a triple window. Maybe a tall planter (or a few different sized) painted the shutter color?
I personally would leave the shutters off. The proportions are all wrong. The shutters work better on windows where it looks like they could actually be used…i.e. the closed shutters would cover the window. otherwise it’s just stuff on the wall. no real purpose.
All that said, here’s my disclaimer…it’s your house…you do what you want to do.
Yes! My thoughts exactly. I would put the time and money into other projects.
My thoughts exactly
My sentiments exactly. But wow! I love seeing the before & after pictures showcasing all you have accomplished and transformed.
100% agree- well put.
Ditto!
I too would leave them off. 2 shutters/3 window sashes is definitely a balance issue. I like the visual open sweep of porch better, at any rate. It’s a more expansive look. Have noted that the finished areas of Matt and Kristi’s home are curated in a balanced, non-cluttered way. Eventual landscaping will provide the finishing cohesion and interest to the front of her house. Only an opinion, FWIW.
I totally agree. If the shutters don’t look like they could actually cover the windows, they seem off to me. And with 3 windows in the grouping, two narrow shutters on each side just don’t make sense. I do think the other windows that don’t have room for shutters look fine with the windows that do have shutters. I wouldn’t put shutters on the porch windows just for the sake of having shutters there too. It just feels forced.
Agreed
I am old and cannot remember words sometimes…but I think one of those canvas looking over head thingys would be so cute over the 3 windows in the alcove. As for the shutters on the front porch…it looks fine both ways and so I would focus on the other things which need to be done…securing the other shutter before they blow away and break. You have done so much improvement on this house it is utterly unbelievable.
I was thinking the same thing. The only drawback to that is it would reduce some light to the breakfast room. In Texas I think an aluminum awning would hold up better, cloth ones disintegrate in hot sun. Envision an awning in your blue tying both sides of the house together. I don’t think it would need to be very deep.
Yes I think you should add shutters. At least the front windows. Not sure of the side windows in the alcove. As for attaching, mine have long screws with caps. Into the bricks but there are anchors and it looks like some liquid nails type stuff.
Definitely a “YAY” for the front porch shutters!!! Your home has come such a long way. You should definitely be proud of all your hard work. It’s beautiful!!!
You are amazing!!! So love all your ideas and all the work you put into these many projects. Keep up the great work!!!
Barbara
I would definitely do the shutters! It looks so much more complete with them. It also balances things out on the front in my opinion. Go for it!!!
No shutters. Shutters are meant to cover a window when closed, and even if they’re decorative, the intent still stands. To add shutters that when closed (hypothetical or literal) wouldn’t cover the window look ridiculous. In fact, there’s a website that share info about incorrectly installed shutters.
Precisely what I was going to say. If the shutters wouldn’t theoretically close over the window, then they look off.
Yes I think you should put the shutters on the porch windows!!!!
I’m not a fan of obviously non-functional shutters, the sort that could never cover the windows they adorn, so I’d skip adding them.
Yes, definitely shutters 😊
I’m a proponent of “simpler is better” so don’t think the shingles are necessary, but if you like them, go for it. You mentioned that there’s no water hose hook up on the back of the house. You have a bathroom near that exit, could a plumber tie into that? Or as you build the new addition, incorporate an outside hose hook up in those plans. Especially if you improve your back yard, you’ll want to be able to use hoses to water plants, etc.
Your new picture looks great!
I agree!
The shutters would definitely complete the front of the house. It doesn’t look finished right now.
Love your updated photo!
As for shutters… I believe color may be your answer. At the far end of the porch. Something tall. Faux greenery or a decorative plaque
I know the rule of thought is if shutters don’t function or look like they would, leave them off
Absolutely! Shutters are like jewelry. Go for it!
For the “loose” shutters, can’t you just put 2 more screws in on the other side? (If you’re worried about visibility, countersink them and use wood filler and paint)
Yes to the shutters!
Yes! Definitely shutters!!!
I would remove all of the shutters, as the siding looks like stone and there’s too many windows, like the triple and singles-that don’t have enough room for shutters.
Shutters lose their oomph and validity when there’s no way they could be anything but decorative and that misses the mark.
Foundational landscaping would look so much better. Was that part of the long term planning you had done?
There’s an instagram account regarding shutters that really shows the good, bad, and just plain wrong😎
Your house is beautiful! My vote is no on the shutters. I love having the added color on the front porch, but it seems forced/crowded. You don’t need shutters on every window. Is there another way to bring the blue onto the porch? A large pot or something?
OK, IMHO, you could put shutters on the front porch that are 3 boards wide each, same color as others. Makes the porch look more formal than southern redneck. Then, in the “alcove” put shutters up, same blue but make them two boards wide since space is an issue. This would give a very nice cohesive and finished look to the whole front of the house. Obviously, these are all decorative, not functional. Figure out where you need more screws and get out the drill/screwgun!
There are millions of homes with decorative shutters, i.e. non-functional, I believe they add a finished look to a home. Many homes only have shutters on windows that face the street. It acts as an accent to the home. Don’t know where the idea of leaving off non-functional shutters came from. It sure wasn’t here in the south!
That said, I am removing my shutters completely since half of them have fallen off. So much for wood shutters from 1973! I’m too old to hang new ones. Ladders and I have a love/hate relationship! If I don’t like the look, I’ll make some new ones and have a young whippersnapper hang them. LOL!
Yes to the shutters! Here in Switzerland it is common to have (and to use!) shutters. I think they add interest to the house as well. I like your house and your interesting projects Kristi!
I like them, but I would fix what you already have before I added them. It looks great without them! Move on to what needs to be done. Try another handyman!
It wouldn’t be “wrong” to add shutters but I think you’re perhaps just needing color. What about a large pot to the right of the chairs? Same or coordinating color as the shutters. That may give you just the right amount of color that I think is lacking there. Since it won’t get close looks, you could even choose a high-quality faux plant so that it always looks good.
My vote is for no shutters on the porch. You’re right, shutters would crowd the porch…and general rule of thumb is shutters should be wide enough to look like they could close and cover the entire window.
I think you have a nice balance across the front of your home…with shutters on the windows on either end of the house.
It’s pretty crowded for shutters. I’d love to see a railing and spindles across the front. It’d give it some additional curb appeal. If I were sitting in those chairs I’d feel all exposed to the people going by on the street. But that’s just me.
I vote no shutters. They really are not needed and will not add much.
The outside looks so nice!
No to shutters, but love the idea of putting in a railing across the porch. It does look a bit unfinished now, but agree with one reader that said the symmetry would be off with shutters.
Would it be possible to run a water line around your house, giving you a water outlet in the back? Maybe before the addition is started. It’s not hard to do, but definitely buy a longer hose on the meantime. You can add a faucet spit in front and leave it the longer hose attached and snaked to the back area.
Question: How do you keep your electric tools dry in the Winter? When we’ve been in Waco during storms, the wind blows sheets of rain everywhere! In CA, we don’t usually have storms that intense, but we always have to cover those kind of tools for fear of rust.
I think the shutters on the porch would look great!! I love everything you’ve done to your home. The difference since you bought it is amazing!
Side note: Have you tried the Dawn Heavy duty degreaser? It is amazing !
I think it would make short work of your outside studio door or anything you need to clean.
I used it on cabinets that had a major build up of dirt & grease & it took no time to clean them. In fact it took off all the old stain that was over the paint on the cabinets. Made me happy since I was wanting to change the color anyway. You can dilute it to lessen the strength of the solution. It’s a must try!
I say yay. I think the mock up looks great.
I like your new profile picture. I say no to the shutters on the triple window. It helps balance the breakfast room window. Definitely work through the little projects that won’t need to be touched again for a long time.
I love almost every last thing you do — thanks for sharing your home with us!
Shutters need to look functional – even if they’re not. They need to be sized to cover the window completely. (And with current weather patterns of frequent high winds, it may be nice to have functional shutters and actually close them to protect glass windows!)
Here’s a nice overview of shutter dos and don’ts:
https://sheholdsdearly.com/shutters-dos-and-donts-for-instant-curb-appeal/
Good luck with a plan!
I’m inclined against the porch shutters, but I’d like to see a mock-up on the fourth-from-last photo in this post (i.e, straight on and father back). With the chairs and the columns, I think shutters would look too busy.
I love your shutters; they are so beautiful. And to my eye, it made the front porch area look longer, or bigger somehow, it is a great idea. Have you thought of putting wooden awnings that mimic your shutters over the windows in your alcove, all of them. Trim back the shrub, and I know you still are thinking about what to do about that space, I still lean towards the fountain/water feature. Mockup some views in the blue, and I think you might find a winner for dinner in there. We are looking at the same for our home with a lot of intense sunshine here in Tennessee. A combination of shutters and awnings. I think you are on the right track. Hold off on any expensive landscaping until the addition is done. Every time we start a project up here on the farm, I just get to watch as the workmen make more of a mess of my yard, and I am the one who gets to mow it. Some days it is like mowing a lunar landscape. Ever forward Kristi!
I say go for it. It would look more cohesive instead of a long space without them across the porch. And nay for the ones for the French Doors. I agree with Carswell, they would just be more to clean
I don’t know but I can see a heavy blooming shrub in the same color of your doors in that alcove.
I would mock up the shutters on the porch on the whole house photo. At first I didn’t think you had room but with your mock up skills ( wish I had some) I think they’d look good. But I want to see if having them on the porch and not on the breakfast room windows makes a difference.
Your house has indeed come a long, long way. I was proud of my little Cape in Ohio but I don’t have your skills. So I had just about every tradesman out there, save for the bathroom faucet and dining room light. I realized my cape had shutters at one time because I found one in the basement and it had a tenon and there was a corresponding mortise cut into the stone! But it also had a half moon on it so for obvious reasons I did not rehang it. 😀😝 🚽
I would not do shutters on porch. I think s bit too many.
The shutters you have are wide enough that they look functional; in theory, each pair could cover and protect their respective windows. IIRC you did that intentionally, wanting to avoid the flimsy look of ornamental shutters that are too small. If you slap shutters on either side of the three-section window, you will contradict the pattern of evident utility you established, and I think that would be a shame. My $0.02.
I also vote no, to the shutters. I think past Kristi made the right call 🙂
https://www.addicted2decorating.com/exterior-shutters-frustration-sticker-shock-and-why-you-should-make-your-own.html
I say yes. They’d look perfect. The breakfast room breaks it up enough that it wouldn’t be too much. I think it’d look more finished with shutters there. JMHO
No on the side windows. Just on front.
I’m a NO on the shutters on the porch windows. I think it looks weird to have shutters that would not cover the windows if they were closed. Just my 2¢.
I’m against the shutters. They would look useless in a covered area which the porch is. Sorry.
I would say “no” to the shutters. If they cannot be sized so they look like they could close over the windows completely, they don’t belong. Maria Killam goes over it in several of her posts.
Make those shutters! It will look wonderful!
Yes to the shutters. I don’t think it is that noticable on the breakfast room windows, as they are so offset, but I think it looks a little unbalanced without them on the porch windows.
A big yes for the shutters. Adds another dimension.
Hi Kristi,
I personal like shutters on the windows, however I think they look a tad wide.
Now, my husband thinks they do not look good because it is a triple wide window.
You have two opinions just from one place.
Ultimately, it is what you like because it is you guys who see your home coming in to your driveway regularly. You have done so many beautiful creative things for your home and they all add to the unique look and style of your home. I personally love it all!
I love shutters. However, I personally think shutters should be made to fit the windows so they look functional, even though they are mostly added for decorative purposes in most places. I appreciate your concern you wanting to tie all of the front oh your home to be tied together. I would want that too. But I think if you create some sort focus in the area outside the breakfast room that would tie all of the front of your home together. Maybe you can research one of those round concrete tables with the concrete benches around it there and paint them all with the same color of blue and maybe add something blue on the wall like a decorative trellis too. I do think you should add shutters to all of the other windows.
I would also have a plumber dig and put in a water line to the back yard and install another outdoor faucet. You’re going to need it big time later on.
Yes, shutters.
Also, even if they aren’t all identical, maybe some strips of blue wood that aren’t shutters, but continue the shutter theme, on all the windows. I think that would look nice.
I was going to say ‘Nay’ to the shutters on the living room windows . . . until I saw your mock up of them on and I quickly changed to ‘Yes’ pt them on! I love the extra colour they bring to the front porch! Your home is so beautiful and wow, what a change from when you bought it! I was definitely a ‘diamond in the rough’ waiting for your amazing touch and skills!
I like the porch without shutters and would either put a large planter with a tree on the far end or use a large hanging pot with a fern or flowers or trailing plants that you like. In the outdoor “alcove” I’d put a water fountain. Such a lovely relaxing sound inside when the windows are open and outside when sitting on the porch.
I believe that shutters should look like if you closed them they would actually cover the window as they are meant to. I find too small shutters just look bizarre but hey, it’s not my house it’s yours.
I think you’re better off finishing the faux stone trim under the porch and adding a bit of landscaping. I know you’re not big on gardening but the front of the house looks barren and adding more shutters isn’t going to change that. You could use the faucet to set up a timed drip line so you at least wouldn’t have to remember to water.
What happened to the hanging plants on the right side, the potted plant on the table, and the colorful throw pillows? If the plants died, buy some good quality fake ferns to hang and maybe put a succulents grouping on the table. I also like a porch with a rug under the chair grouping. There are lots of ways to add color and interest without fake shutters.
No shutters. That makes the porch look too tight. You have enough projects to do without thinking up something else. Just screw the screws into the holes in the hinges like you did on the outside of the shutters. And finish your painting when it is warm again…..certainly not on Monday!
Your porch is lovely and inviting. It needs no addition; it just needs to be finished. Draw out a plan for your front yard flowerbeds as that will give you something to think about and plan for.
I like shutters, as a rule, but I think they might make the area look busy. I like ideas from others that perhaps something else (planter, decoration) in that same blue might do the trick. I like your updated photo. Lovely.
WOW, First I said NO, then I said Yes, now it’s maybe! So, clearly I’m no help. I wonder if there is someway to bring that beautiful color over the the right side of the porch without the shutters at all. I love that color, and a piece of art, a huge tall pot with a flowering tree (pinkish like your door), something to just bring those colors over and forget the heavy shutters maybe??? I think the idea of a railing is very nice too, and if you did that you might not like shutters at all. Waiting to see what you do, because I usually like when you do you!
My vote is no. I think it would be too much. Your front porch is lovely!
I would NOT do the shutters on the porch. Those windows look great and they compliment the windows in the “alcove.” What I would do is continue that rock skirting (that you are doing at the bottom of your porch) under the alcove – where those concrete stairs are. I think that would look really pulled together and eye catching.
Are you going to paint your carport doors that melon color? I vote “yes” for melon on the outside of the workroom/carport french doors.
I’m going to be totally honest. Shutters on the windows on your front porch are a hard NO. There is no to make them look like they would cover the windows if they were closed. You went to a lot of trouble to make your other shutters look proportionately correct with your windows. You went so far as to even make the hinges appear to be correct… Putting up shutters that obviously aren’t correct would just look wrong. The three windows together look perfect and don’t need anything more.
I agree it currently looks fine. And before you showed the mock-up, I thought, meh, maybe not worth it. But the mock-up convinced me that shutters there would look amazing! Eye – catching! I’d do it!
fabulous work you did on the house,,,i vote shutters
i give you a lot of credit doing all that work,,,
Yay! Shutters on the porch will help unite the entire exterior.
I am sure you have done this but just in case. I would add outdoor spigot to the list for your addition.
Yes l would put shutters. It looks fine without shutters, its jus my OCD that wants it to balance. So l leave it up to you! I know that’s no help at all.
Hi! My vote is no…your initially thoughts were correct…would be too much on the front patio. Cristen
YES to the shutters! It really adds the extra bit of punch you’re looking for.
After looking at the mock up of shutters and photos several times, I would say no to the shutters on the porch window. The seem to overwhelm the porch. The windows in the breakfast/sitting room may look odd if they are the only set of windows facing the front that don’t have shutters. You could use the time you’d spend making shutters to figure out a way to hang the missing shutter and finish the stone fascia on the porch. I’d move the pretty bench in front of the sitting room window and remove the shrub at the corner of the studio if it isn’t in your landscaping plan. Your house is charming!
Honestly, if it were mine, I’d take ALL those flimsy shutters off and be done with it, and have a clean, shutter-less exterior. Then again, you are not me, and perhaps that doesn’t align with your vision…
I say no on the shutters. Having the shutters on the outside windows and not on the two sets of 3 windows right now gives it balance. Since you can’t put shutters on the ones in the alcove I would leave it all be. Otherwise, I feel it would make it unbalanced to have them on the porch.
Kristi, I just thought of something. For grins maybe you could do a mock up of actually painting the trim of the windows in the little alcove the same color as all of your shutters. It’s just a thought to see how it would look….maybe this would tie all of the front of your house together.
I think the shutters add far too much visual clutter.
P.S. Your new blog photo is lovely! Of course, the old one was lovely, too. 😊
Going with Yay for the shutters they will make the house fabulous and finished,
Hi Kristi. I really like the shutters!! But the ones you showed would not cover all the windows, and if I recall correctly, you like shutters to be authentic enough to use them if necessary. Would this eventually bother you?
If you do shutters, would awnings, over the other five windows, that are the same colour as the shutters help? I realize this may make the breakfast room a bit darker, and some of the front room, but they don’t have to be too deep…and if they are deep they would be keeping some sun out, which should mean keeping some heat out as well.
You have created such a beautiful home.
The transformation from the start till now is amazing. Well done as that is a lot of hard work that has gone into bringing this old house back to life. I like the additional shutters- I would, however, reconsider the colour of the doors – I just think painting them the same colour as the shutters (which are a great colour) would improve the aesthetics.
I would not add shutters to the wide front window. The shutters on the smaller windows look as though they could be functional, in that they are the right width to actually cover the window if closed. Shutters beside the front window would be far too narrow to actually function and would therefore be out of place.
My feeling is that if the shutters you put up do not look to be usable (i.e. they are too small for the windows that they theoretically should cover) then having no shutters is the better option. The proportions just aren’t right.
Two small shutters for three windows look totally wrong to me; if I was passing by your house I’d get stuck on how wrong this is and wouldn’t be able to concentrate to the rest of the front view. And it’s a pity to do that to your beautiful house; like adding the wrong chord in the middle of a beautiful song. Besides, you made your faux shutters look like real ones; why would you break the illusion?
Also, the way it looks now, it’s symmetric. Shutters to the outside windows (bedrooms and studio), clear windows in the middle. If you were to add shutters, you would break the symmetry.
Have to vote no on the shutters. Please check out Scott sidled at the craftsman blog or his Instagram where he regularly features shudder Sundays- examples of where shutters should not be used. I love your blog. Kristi and I love your house and creativity. But shutters are supposed to be functional, not earrings you slap on to jazz a place up.
Every time I see that little nook I imagine it with an arbor tying the two rooflines together.
I was thinking no to the shutters on the porch until I saw the mock-up. It instantly became yes when I saw the picture. For sure do shutters on the porch! They bring a lot of depth and some needed pizzaz as you said!
Great new glasses! Very flattering.