Greetings,

Not sure what your budget plans are nor what the rest of the neigbhorhood looks like, but if its not too run down and you don't mind having a better looking house then at the very least you may consider this.

Modestly:

1. take up the concrete walk way - replace with flagstone or large pavers (Cambridge, Unilock, etc.)
2. paint the entire house same color (Tan)
3. add shutters on windows dark color (Navy or Black) and paint door same color.
4. add shrubs, plants, flowers, floodlights along the perimeter of home, after securing proper under ground drainage (dry well) or similar, then add sod or reseed. If you have nice property layout - add privacy fence make space very tropical
5. find at deep discount a focal point against wall near door - some type of Artistic Iron Wall Plaque Fixture(s)..

Much Success whatever you decide to do.

agree with Gary about all tan monochromatic colors to include trim, (darker tan in same family), and a more modern light fixture and carry finish through w/door hardware and street numbers, etc....Netta's idea to change the walkway is a good one.......the right landscaping will make a world of difference.....I like the accent wall....good luck!

Black shutters and trim (and front door) will look very nice with this house color. You may want to paint that "stone" wall the same color as the house. Or plaster over it before painting so it blends with the exterior.

I agree that the light fixture should be updated - add some snazzy black house numbers as well. Changing the walkway will help. If that's not in the budget think about a curvy planting area in front of the walk. Choose plants that will flow or drape over the border of the walk softening it. A concrete stain will make the concrete less noticeable.

The narrow planting area next to the wall of the house could be accented with black planter containers with either spiky grasses or a dramatic flowering plant of your choice. Exterior uplights would be very dramatic and look spectacular.

All of the advice I see so far sounds right on target. Good luck!

I saw a Florida house (Titusville) with a similar front that was just wonderful. The house was nothing special, there were others the same style on the street, but the way they did the entry changed everything for this house.

I'll see if I can find a picture of it. The area inside the front wall was made into a little courtyard and they had a bistro table in there to sit and have iced tea. There was a tile mural on the main wall, and the floor area was all tiled. The front walk and thre driveway were stained to match the house color.

tan- works fine. before u cut the brick wall off at the end of that one wall- make sure it doesn't make it look like an after thought... it COULD BE like a musical string of notes and the last note is LEFT OFF--- something could be left "wanting"!!! - it could be SCREAMING for it to be repeated somewhere else.. becuz u lessened its impact :) just my opinion :) there are a lot of cement techniques that would improve that area without a ton of money- and plants will really add SO much!( But do some wise planning!) And if u do cut off the end of that brick wall.. is that the only light fixture or is there another by the door? there probably is..... replacing the one on the bricks somewhere else -so keeping two- one by the door and one on an outside wall would by a nice improvement. i like the door recessed too- but if you need the room indoors- then maybe..

I agree with painting the whole house the same color. is tan your choice? You might consider something else--yellow? grey?

You don't need to rip it out to widen your sidewalk--just add bricks or flagstones along the sides..

You do need some plantings. Find out what is native to your area. Planters between the house and walkway would be interesting. You are lucky that you could use them year-round.

RE: Plantings, I am working on them for my house in Florida as well. My yard faces south and it has been pretty dry for a number of years, so I am going with plants that tolerate full sun and little water. I have a lot of vounteer vincas, nice pink flowers, and easy care, since they planted themselves. So far, in areas that can take large plants, I have added flax lilies which get pretty tall, agave, aloe. If you have some shade, Boston fern looks good. I would go with smaller plants close to the house, larger plants at corners, maybe in front of the wall. Red sisters look pretty good along a wall.

Some type of pergola at the entry to make a transition from yard space to the house entry. Right now it's either one or the other......it would be nice to have a space that mediates between inside and outside. Also, you could plant vines on it to soften the harsh cement edges of the stucco.