Losing Detail

Slightly troubling, however, is the erosion of some architectural details.  Many second-floor porches are losing their railings. Others have new railings of much taller, much thicker, much thinner or much different design.

True, in an era of central air conditioning, few owners sit out on second-floor porches. Porch railings are tedious and expensive to paint, particularly after layers of paint have accumulated over the years. Well-maintained original railings, however, rarely rot and add scale and balance to the homes, as well as safety.

The many doors opening to second-floor roofs show just how many porches have lost their railings. Among them are many in Plat 2, where curvaceous spindles once graced porches and balconies, especially those designed by Ellicott and Emmert. One entire house designed by them at 106 Ridgewood, was demolished in the 1930’s. Another nearby home years ago eliminated its second-floor and first-floor porch.

Admirably, in its renovation and installation of a new roof,

has preserved the Ellicott and Emmert’s architectural integrity of its second-floor spindles.

First, however, we must tackle some long-neglected interior details, like the medieval original kitchen and shower-less bathrooms.