In basic plan this house follows the Colonial Revival convention of a center entrance opening into a hall that runs from front to back -- and with living room and dining room on opposite sides.  Yet here, Lawrence brilliantly turns this plan sideways.  The "center" entrance is tucked on the side, barely visible in this photo, and the central hall runs parallel with the street, not perpendicular as in so many traditionally designed Colonial houses.  The porch that appears as the "front door" of the house is actually a very private porch off the living room featuring French doors bringing in a flood of light.  This arrangement had many advantages, not the least of which was the greater space for the long flight of steps required from the sidewalk level up to the front entrance.