The 3 trees in front are shot so remove them first. Now that you have a clear view of the house I imagine you will see you need thicker posts on the porch. The Bedfort stone is outdated so either replace that with your Hardiplank or with new stone. There are so many possibilities as you update. Have fun with this project and let us know how it turns out. She is a tired lady and she is ready for a facelift.

johsmi, I figure you mean the 3 shrubs in front of the entry porch?

I don't know what color you are going with for the outside, but I like the trees there. I would say find a decent tree trimmer in your area and have then shape it up. You need something to be in the yard. I would also say put a tiny flower bed in the shape of an oval in your yard. Make sure it has a novelty item. Like a barrel that is cut in half. Or an old wheel barrow. And if you really want to make a splash, and it might cost a little more, replace your drive way with grey colored brick. I might be off my rocker on that one but I think that would look beautiful. Have a white exterior with the flower bed, nice trees and a cool driveway

I agree with above: new porch columns. The columns you have may be covered with column enclosures, done by a local carpenter. I would also do new siding, later if you can afford it. Maybe 4" high siding, see 'Hardie Board' siding. It is a permanant, no maintenance siding. Nice home! can't wait to see your new repairs!...

What color have you chosen to replace your siding? I agree with painting (or stucco) in any one of several natural stone colors, taking a cure from the stones you have there now.

Landscaping a new entrance to the front door will be a tremendous improvement to your curb appeal as well! No one's guests should have to walk up one's driveway to get to the front door! Note: the front walk is more interesting if it is not straight. Choose your style, is it cottage, for instance, and search from there. Houzz has great garden resources!

Maybe make the stone small strips and change the siding to a more vibrant color. Get flower bushes to replace the shrubs. Make the spindles on the deck larger. Hope I helped

No, I mean all three trees including the bunch in front of the porch. I love trees too but the trees there are random and add nothing to the looks of the home. I do have a gripe when old out dated and overgrown landscape ages a house. In this case these are over gown shrubs not really trees. Boy, I bet I have accidently opened a big debate this morning. I would get suggestions from a landscaper for replacements.

What I wonder about is the shrub near the front door. In the first picture it's half the size than in the second and third pictures. The first picture also has no downspouts, and it has a satellite dish. Which picture is the most current one?

I think the big shrub near the road on the left side of the property is fine. It affords some privacy from the road and isn't part of the house's landscaping. The tall narrow shrub by the driveway might be nice as part of a bed along the driveway, but if that is not in the plans then I'd take it down.

The shrub nearest the house could possibly be pruned to an attractive size and shape depending on the type. Some old overgrown shrubs can be pruned, if they are the type that re-grows from old wood, for example yews and euonymus. They look bare for a year but then you will have a good size shrub. Others, like juniper, will never regrow nicely from a cut that goes back to old wood, and need to be removed if they overgrow their space. Take a twig to a garden centre and they'll tell you what it is, and the internet is full of information on what can be pruned to old wood, and videos on how to prune overgrown shrubs. It's not hard. The advantage is that you aren't starting from a very small shrub and waiting for it to grow. If you don't like the effect, you can always cut it down later.

Agree that a much wider bed is needed along the front of the house.

johsmi, instead of taking down perfectly good trees add to them, incorporate them in a planting bed. Why remove everything? work with it. the there shrubs should be pruned or re-planted somewhere else.

The shrubbery at the porch hides the front of the house entirely! The lone tall juniper at the drive makes the house look short!, especially with the gable running length-wise across the front. Removing those two alone will allow height and openness to the curb appeal. The 3rd (yew?) at the left would be the only one I'd keep for now as your main objective is making changes to the house itself. However! Removing that shrubbery is a must, and will help to let you envision the changes!

Old post. Wonder how it turned out?

This is what it looks like today. I replaced the siding with hardi plank, replaced stone, painted gray (still a little iffy on the color), replaced posts, added light fixtures, painted door red, painted garage door to match siding color, replaced gutters, replaced windows, and removed shrubbery. I have plans to replace the roof next week, do some landscaping with the flower beds in front of the porch, add shutters (maybe navy?), and add a small circle drive to accommodate more parking since I only have a single driveway. Thank you for all the tips. Let me know if you have any other great ideas!

Wow, what a difference. Thank you for sharing.I know you are pleased.

Looks great! How about a board and batten shutter to dress up the front window?

Do you think I could get away with shutters on only the front left window? Ideally, I would add to all 3, but if added to the far right window, standard 12" shutters will come extremely close to the door trim.

I would just do the front window;)

Thanks for the update! The entryway looks sooo much more welcoming already! Love the new pillars, great design. All you need now is some structural shrubs to give your landscape some shape and then maybe some perennials for some color. I'd even consider purchasing a pot or two and filling them up with some annuals. This will guarantee color throughout an entire season. Great work.. with all the new colors it seriously looks like a new house! Congrats!

Well done! The color, with the red door, is wonderful.

Down the road: What about a hardscape front patio in the same colored stone on the house and extending out to the edge of the garage and left side? Then do a front garden instead of a lawn incorporating tan stone paths, ground cover, perennials, some low bushes, a flowering tree? Mix in some window boxes and potted plants and a couple red Adirondack chairs, and stir!


http://photos.hgtv.com/photo/charming-curb-appeal

Siding will make a big difference / have you considered Steel Siding? Virtually Maintenance free up to 35 year chalk/fade warranty. Holds up extremely well to all elements

Your process of development and following the sage advice from the above folks has helped you greatly. I guess you have some local people that have suggested the drive loop across the front yard. Please keep it well away from the front entry, unless you are dealing with handicapped visitors.

You can then eliminate that walk from the garage doors, and have the walk from the loop drive as a plaza that the visitor can exit onto as she opens her car door. Likewise, another piece of the entry plaza on the other side of the car. It does not have to cross the drive, just a bit of the same pavement on the street side of the car, perhaps ten or twelve feet deep and six or eight feet wide, perhaps with a bench and a post lamp.

You may also have this new pavement continue to the street for those visitors who still park out there and you are welcoming them to your home with a walk, not forcing them to enter along your driveway. Maybe another post lamp, bench and potted plants out there as well.

I am very proud of how you have completely rejuvenated your new home. Congratulations!

cascio.offsite@gmail.com