Great house! How much updating are you looking to do? Paint? Construction? Landscaping?

I would definitely suggest planting some bulbs in the front so that this Spring you'll get a lovely splash of color. Paint is relatively inexpensive and would make a huge difference here.
I am wondering, at the front of the house, what is the long dark shadow to the right of the upper and lower windows? I can't make it out in this photo.

Look into some landscaping (flowers, shrubs etc) to cover up the foundation some. Maybe add some color with the trim. Remove single shutters along the windows. What condition is the roof in? New shingles in a bolder color on the roof if in the budget. Do you have any other shots of the side and back of the house? What is your budget?

I suggest that you consider replacing the windows with traditional windows. They should be long and narrow. The original windows were probably double hung or they could have been casements. If you have any old photos of the house, you might be able to see what was there before the windows were replaced.

I like the suggestion that was made about putting a metal or copper roof of the porch.

Fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs,but you will need to hurry.A great plant for your corner is Arborvitae.Low shrubs could be junipers in front of the windows,and then a Serviceberry in the front yard.Its a cute house and just needs some life.Is the antenna necessary?

I'd cedar shake the very top where the octagon window is. I'd also put a faux white truss up there. I'd vertical siding the rest of the peak. I'd metal roof the mini accent roof at the base of the peak. I'd stone the bump out where entry door is. I'd lose the shutters and go with wide trim around doors and windows. I'd get rid of the telephone pole with antenna. You can gable mount them.

Thank you to everyone that has commented

zakaria

After you fix the shutters and put in some foundation planting, you could do something along the walkway that adds color. Window boxes would add a cute look and color, but only if you're able to keep them looking good.

Looks like one shutter hanging on each window? Replace the shutters...do some landscaping. A sculptured shaped large green shrub to the left of the door and greenery under the large window. Some spring bulbs would be nice seasonal color. I would paint the closed in porch exterior a darker color than the rest of the house and put in a new door - cherry red? A black light fixture at the front door would be nice too.

PS If you have lots of money...I would consider delyanks ideas plus the cherry red door!

Hi Shotgundave. Living in Toledo, we go up to that area as often as we can. We love the color that the homes use with the many flowers and the contrast with darker colored shutters (2 shutters, not 1) and/or front doors. I agree with all that you need color. Lots of homes even plant flowers along the curb front of their property. That looks best if several properties along a street plant the same flowers. I've seen that in Charlevoix and in Bay Village along Lake Michigan. Enjoy your home!! I can't wait to get back up there next Summer!!

Since it's a weekend house, you probably don't want to spend time mowing. What about replacing your patch of lawn with a low maintenance perennial garden of grasses, creeping ground cover, shrubs, and a small flowering tree? A mulched path between plantings will give you a minimal amount of work but a lot of visual interest. A good garden center can help you plan the garden. Many native grasses take up large amount of space with minimal amount of care and give you something to look at in the winter. Agree with someone upthread at a tall, skinny, twisted arborvitae to the left of the big window would look great against the house.

The shutters should come off. Paint the entry door a bright color.

Install treated cedar shakes on the upper half and on the bump out front door room. The treatments should preserve the original cedar color and prevent weathering to grey. Install two shutters on the main floor front window. These shutters should be stained/painted to be be the same color as the cedar shakes. Plant some low mainenance evergreen shubs in the front to soften the bare look. The shrubs will look good in all seasons.

Add some color to your siding (even metal siding can be painted). Check out http://historichousecolors.com/portfolio/ for starting inspiration. My 1916 house was also a white 1-1/2 story; I went crazy with color and now my house is one of the prettiest on the street.

I haven't taken the time to read all the wonderful comments, but having spent my childhood in the U.P. (my family was one of the founding families of Manistique) I am thrilled to see you undertaking this project. It looks like a wonderful home. I would suggest that you stick with old fashioned perennials and bushes if you want to be nostalgic. Fragrant roses, lady's mantle, queen anne's lace, and bleeding heart to name a few. Of course all the homes had beautiful lilac's. Take your time in making decisions, think them through, and then pursue. This is one lucky house - be blessed.

First, see if you can't locate pictures of the house as it was early in it's life. The airlock may have been a porch at one time. I would restore the porch if that were the case, and possibly extend it across the front of the house. Second, because the house is so square, I would look at doing a more free form planting bed, extending and curving more toward the street around the walk, avoiding straight lines as much as possible. I would group 3 small lacy leaf trees to the left to hide the wires that run up the side of the house, maybe white birch or weeping birch. Keep them well away from the foundation as it appears to be rubble. Off set those, if possible with 2 on the other side, but not inline with the first grouping. Again, paint, paint, paint. It appears that the siding may be vinyl, which I would remove and restore the original. Then, if money permits, replace the walk with stone and cover the steps with it. A cheaper alternative would be to break the concrete walk and use the pieces to reform a curving walk. The may be able to be stained to give a softer and more natural beige and brown scheme.

check out "cottage" on this site or pinterest for visual inspiration.

If you want to keep it simple, these are my suggestions. Plant an ornamental (tree or shrub) in front, but not centered...more toward the outside of the window. This could be a Japanese Maple if you live in the north, or a Crepe Myrtle if you live in the south....something flowering would be appreciated in the Spring. You will need to landscape the grass further away from the house to give appeal with a edging of your particular style. Some variety of small to medium plants/bushes (when full grown...you will have to do some homework) to hide the concrete foundation. Keep in mind that a softer/relaxed feel will look more country. I prefer this, but you may want something more formal. Softer includes various textures of leaves and flowers that brush up against each other when grown. All landscaping takes time and love...so, if your doing this yourself, look for plants that don't require a lot of upkeep like dead heading, or deciduous leaves falling off in the winter. Good luck! I love these types of projects and I am just a mom who loves to garden with a bit of horticulture studies under her belt.... (***I don't understand the one sided shutters....and yes! paint the door!)

Position any trees/plants from the inside looking out to block unpleasant views or frame pretty ones remembering to also look from the 2nd story windows in case you want a larger tree to look at rather than lets say, power lines or neighbors. Think about where you want light in the winter and shade in summer. Evergreens vs. deciduous. Don't choose particular trees/plants right away. First identify sizes, shapes, colors, shades in your design. This makes for easier choices when time to buy as many plants will be removed from your list this way.

My first thought is 'where are foundation plants around the house?' Looks bare. I'd put in colorful bushes to pick up the new color on the door, shutters. Speaking of those, consider brightening/warming up the house color, door and shutters. This is a nice looking house.

Wow, what a great house, I would follow most of sassyfighter's ideas, I would over time try and restore the house to it's 1892 design. I think later down the road the historical proper corrections will add a lot of value, plus how cool will it be to have a weekend home that is period corrected, but with updated must have's. Take your time and do your research and have fun doing it. If you just want Curb Appeal, look here on Houzz and you will find ton's of idea's.

Photos requested by contributors.

Thank you for all of your input, Great advice and design ideas

The red door looks great!

I didn't realize you had such a big lawn, but my advice stands about having a front garden, the width of the house, of grasses, perennials, shrubs, a small tree, and mulched paths. On the side of the house a border of different types of shrubs would soften your view . In any case, someone from a local garden center could help you figure out how to frame your house with landscaping that looks good in all seasons but requires a minimum of work. Several of the Houzzers upthread had good suggestions on that. Good luck!

Consider reclaiming the part of the extra wide parking area that reaches up to your front step. Maybe experiement with a strip of planters to separate the front door from the driveway. I think having your front door open onto asphalt gives that corner of your house a commercial feel.

Create a significant entrance, trees at beginning of driveway, a degree of formality and symmetry.

Old post

So it is, it popped up at the bottom of a page that I was viewing, and reminded me of a project I had worked on last year. It is a classic style, so perhaps it could help to inspire someone else with a similar home.

Consider replacing the double hung windows in the front entry with vertical shape to better balance with living room and 2nd floor Windows. These new Windows could be taller tha n the current strip. Accentuate the corner posts of the entry porch and consider different siding to make the entry stand out.

Renovations underway

You have snow now? Very cute house. I look forward to seeing the end result.

Started snowing while we were working, total of 9". All gone now, Michigan weather.

I will post more pictures after this weekends progress.

House was built in 1892 and has gone through a total down to the studs renovation.

Take a look at the two-tone exterior paint article in the Houzz articles this week. Your house has similar roof lines to the cottage look of the gold and taupe house. Definitely change the windows to a more traditional double hung with panes.

Cute house! Glad to see you opted for new siding, always a great idea! What type of siding are you going with? I think a shake style would look nice on the upper half of the home.

House is near Boyne Mountain. We are installing Cement board siding by James Hardie. Garage is already done in the siding and we are very satisfied with the look.

While prepping for new siding we uncovered the original cedar shakes in great condition. We are going to try and preserve them.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/75108493/200-million-leaky-building-NZ-class-action-filed-against-James-Hardie FYI

Nearing completion of exterior

Would like some input on colors

Hello! How did your house turn out?

Perfect for the Boyne area! Lovely there both in the Winter and Summer!

Ppl o phony .
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Connie's kid got her phone!!

:-D