Frequently I run across houses which defy simple description in terms of architectural style.
After the clunky massing, the first thing one notices about this house is the top-heavy appearance. This is largely due to the fact that the dormer windows are much larger than the first story windows (rather than slightly smaller as is conventional for houses feigning a “traditional” appearance). On the left side of the house, dormers interrupt the eave; on the right side they do not. On the left side of the house, the dormers are identical to each other and transomed. On the right side there are no transoms and the right dormer is slightly larger than the other. None of the four dormers align with windows below them; there is no visual continuity between the first and second stories. First story windows are too small.
This visual disconnection is further enhanced by a pent roof which runs across the left side of the house. At least it helps to conceal the fact that the first and second story corners do not align at the center of the house. The wide porch begs for some support posts to not only define the porch but to visually carry the weight of the roof above.
To the left we have a sunroom glazed with sliding windows stacked atop one another. That’s a third window type after double-hung and casements.
It’s hard to tell if this was an older house which was expanded and remodeled or the result of an ongoing and informal building project; it could be either.
Everything is just plain awkward.