With the gray color of your house, consider a red door so it provides a pop of color to the house. I like the 2nd photo with the door surrounded in white trim. The first photo gives an idea of a sheltered entry.

That first photo is exactly the look I was talking about. Nice pic Elise.

Thanks K&L. Donna, what do you think?

Donna, you have a Garrison Colonial and the overhang limits what you do with the exterior. Stay with the Colonial style when replacing the door (probably comes in one piece and includes the sidelights?) Were this home mine (and I grew up in an older version) I would spend my money on real wood shutters with the proper hardware which will make your windows important, some onion lamps and a great door knocker.

Thanks everyone, I like the picture of white colonial house, so should I go with a plain door? I hesitated about the decorative glass. Thought about it just in then side lites. Still not sure if I want to go with a plain glass with a grill 3/4 or 1/4 or just a full door.. Budget is not allowing to put on gable roof yet. We are also doing a major project in family room, room is 22x22 with cathedral ceiling , .redoing fireplace , fieldstone all the up to ceiling and built in bookcases on both sides, hardwood floor furniture etc.. - having a hard time with picking things out , esp colors and wall color. Needless to say have to do the best I can now with front door. We plan on in the near future on putting the same field stone on bottom half of house. So any more thoughts on front of house. I am going to add picture of my family room and any design suggestions? I like to go with neutral colors like a linen beige color for sofa and loveseat . Thought of a club chair and ottoman in an accent color, for accent color- sea blues-and taupe's? area rug? Hubby wants a recliner , thinking of doing that in a medium saddle color. So any thoughts. Oh forgot that my husband is getting a 70" tv and we are mounting it over the fireplace mantel on the stone. Yeah I know 70"! could not talk him out of it. Went down from 80". Need help. Furniture I am looking at is Clayton Marcus, but love the Paula Dean furniture line look and Robert Allen Essex sofa

Donna - your house is so cute! I think I'd look to add a front porch...wide and the whole length of the front...add rocking chairs coordinated w/a brightly colored front door and you've got a perfect welcoming exterior and a sheltered place to relax and greet guests!

Since you have sidelites on each side of the door, go with a plain door with paneled detailing. It will save a little money and still look traditional like the house.

I love the idea of fieldstone fireplace! Mount the tv low over the mantel, otherwise it can be hard on your neck for viewing comfort. Your idea of accent color in sea blue is great. Click on the first picture and you can see their paint color and other info. Looks like what you want.

While a TV over the fireplace is done all the time, It is the worst thing for the TV. Is it a wood burning fireplace or a sealed unit?. If it is open front the heat will not be good. If you are doing stone to the ceiling and wood floors, A nice false beam ceiling would set the room off. A large ridge beam and smaller false beams about 4 ft on center would really give you a warm feeling.

we have a inclosed pellet stove insert in fireplace.Have a cathedral ceiling with center beam. Love the ideas in pictures, Thanks

Is there something wrong with the original door? Paint and new weatherstripping, and maybe some new door hardware and lighting could dress it up a lot. Perhaps a chunkier door handle, a door knocker and a kickplate would be enought. I think what you have is nice and appropiate for your house.

Properly weatherstripped wood doors have about the same R-value of replacement fiberglass or insulated steel doors, so it may not be worth it, especially if you are keeping the same style. Fiberglass doors can be damaged with a storm, depending on the exposure and climate. It may be possible to just change the sidelights if you want more glass.

The storm tends to be more visable than the door itself, and a full view looks nicer than the self-storing type. A custom wood storm with glass is another possiblity, and there are types that go well with a Colonial if you look around. It can also add a bit of a color note
--see the yellow storm.

It looks like you have a lot of nice mature trees, and if your door is not in direct sunlight, you mayb be able to leave the glass in year round--depends on where you live and the kind of door and finish you have. This can trap a lot of heat, so some sort of ventilation is needed. Unfortuanately a screen will detract from your new front door, no matter what kind you get. So perhaps the money is better spent on a really nice screen door than a whole new door.

If you don't use the door that much, is a storm even needed? Perhaps you can invest the money in some new landscaping instead--or a new stereo system to go with the new TV!.

You could perhaps add pillasters or more trim around the doorway, but that would affect the placement of the lighting. Since you probably have vinyl siding that might be difficult to change--vinyl fades with time, so anything new to replace it could be very obvious. Check first to make sure new siding will blend in before radical changes--you could be opening a can of worms.

Operable shutters always look better than fake ones but you have a lot of them and at least they are sized properly.. A pergola or trellis is a way to add importance to the entry without the expense--a bit more cottage than Colonial, but still appropiate. Some urns with greenery or oblisks are another way to add importance, and some color.

This is an interesting website about a tired colonial getting an exterior update, and the owner really did her homework--see also her Pin Interest Board The first photo is one of her designs.

http://www.jennyology.com/