Plant a low growing native plant hedge along the side and the front yard about 3' in from the edge of sidewalk to give you a feeling of home. Low growing color in front of the hedge and drought tolerant mixed plantings between the hedge and house. Widen the front path with re-cycled broken concrete and wide spacing to hold a low ground cover.

j3cy: victorianbungalowranch has given you excellent advice. I live in a Victorian era town, and your house looks very similar to some of the houses here. I wonder if it wasn't originally brick, and someone stuccoed it to modernize it (maybe around the 20s?) As many others have said, please investigate before you do anything permanent. You not only want to make sure that whatever you do is correct and functional, but that it is aethetically pleasing. I think that with not a LOT of work you can bring back the Victorian detail. Also, additions to a house do not need to match the original, and in the case of historical houses, should really blend but not pretend to be original. Two different exterior finishes are fine - just make them blend (and paint the trim boards in on the siding portion to better match the solid color of the original portion) by painting the whole house the same color. Pick out your trim in an accent color. Your ideas for replacing the front windows and door are good, since you use the room. Is it heated? If not, adding just glass and wood panels would probably look more authentic, but for now, maybe that isn't practical. I would not add windows to the house unless there is a need from the interior. Don't do it to "balance" the exterior - it looks typically Victorian and "correct" to me. What is the purpose of the snow fence? To keep the snow off of the shrubs? If you are replacing them, I would go with something very hardy that can easily survive the winter without protection. To keep the Victorian aethetic going, an old wrought iron fence would look beautiful around your planting area. EVen just a few sections would give the feel of the era. Could you provide some photos from other angles? It might help to discuss this more accurately.

love the deck! how do you like the size? my wife and I are planning to build a 16x20 ft deck this summer... any recommendations after you built? we have a built in shelter as the house will be on three sides with an overhang - on the left of the windows in that nook... this pic was taken almost a year ago, we have snow on the ground still, planted grass, no landscaping besides a few trees on the backyard (four evergreens between us and the blue house) and are planning a concrete patio with fireplace on the ground from the deck...

It is hard to tell from the pictures what the lighting conditions are, but assuming the hedge is not going in full shade, the following plants provide some options at different heights: Green Mountain Boxwood, can grow to 3'w x 5'ht but takes well to pruning and can be maintained at a smaller size DeGroot's Arborvitae, can grow to 5'w x 20'ht is one of the narrowest Arborvitae available Skyrocket Juniper, can grow up to 3'w x 15'ht is one of the narrowest Junipers A few deciduous options would be: Tor's Spirea, can grow up to 30"w x 30"ht but takes well to pruning and can be cut back in early spring. Has white flowers and attractive fall color. Green Mound Alpine Currant, can grow up to 30"w x 30" ht and takes pruning well. No significant flowering or fall color, but very rugged and durable plant. Hummingbird Clethra, can grow up to 30"w x 30" ht can be pruned but is a looser plant. Has attractive, fragrant flowers and yellow fall color.