Seeing Beauty Everywhere
When I’m driving, walking, and especially while out for a run, I can’t help but imagine how the exterior of a home could be transformed.
My mind instantly starts sketching possibilities: a fresh coat of paint, a welcoming front porch, larger windows to let in more light, a reimagined roofline, or landscaping that brings balance and beauty to the property. Sometimes it’s even an addition that gives a home a whole new life.
Does anyone else do this too—envisioning not just what a home is, but what it could become?
For me, this habit comes from always trying to find beauty in the world around me. I look for the hidden gems in architecture, especially in residential design, where every detail can make a space feel more personal, warm, and connected to its surroundings.
One home in particular has stayed in my mind for years. In Fox Chapel, PA, there’s a large, stately house on one of the best streets in the city. It has so much potential, yet it’s been sitting on the market year after year. From the moment I first saw it, I began to imagine how it could be made warmer, friendlier, and more aligned with my aesthetic.
In its current state, the house feels a bit too formal and unapproachable—but in my mind’s eye, I can see it transformed. I picture natural materials and colors, softer lines, landscaping that frames rather than hides, and details that invite you in rather than hold you at a distance.
Below, is a photo of how the home looks today, followed by a watercolor rendering of how I envision it becoming: a front portico, larger dormers, new landscaping, softer trim colors... My hope is to show not just this one transformation, but the way design allows us to see beyond what exists—and into what could be.
Do you find yourself doing the same? Imagining new lives for old homes, or seeing beauty where others might overlook it? If so, I’d love to hear what inspires you.
Maria
Home is listed by Berkshire Hathway:
https://www.bhhs.com/homes-for-sale/pa/143-north-drive-fox-chapel-15238/pid-409842864
