Your cute little home reminds me so much of Ross Chapin designs, so I went there and found some totally awesome exteriors. Enjoy!

This one has it ALL!

All you need is an Adirondack rocker and a porch swing!

Original House picture

Face it! YOU are a miracle worker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How about a lilac tree or a tree of Heaven?

I would add a nice big planter in place of that stone lion...get some color!

Current Fall Decor.. Mrstinylady- where would you put the chair? Stanton Designs- What type of planter would you suggest?

You've done a great job and you are almost there. I would extend the porch over the entire front of the house. Add black,dark green or charcoal grey shutters on all the windows. Add window boxes on the front windows and add lights on both sides of the door. I would paint the front door a different color then the shutters and siding. If you can put in a mail slot in the door that would help. An overhang over the front door would add dimension to the front facade. Good luck!

Remove the tree. It is too close to the house and maybe choose a flowering tree for the center of the front yard. The lion does not belong with the house so maybe find another place for him. I would also suggest you groom the grasses that border the stairs. a little pruning back would be good for them and maybe reomve the railing and change the configuration of the front steps so that it showcases the front door better. Also the Flag is too much in the middle of things. Maybe move the flag and its holder to the right of that single window. and put a small seating area under that single window. A glider or two chairs and a small table. Coming along nicely, just needs some balance.

The day lillies have been taking over front area. I haven't yet done any landscaping except that one tree was already removed from the left side of the house, I was thinking a Japanese Maple? I love my little lion, but I know not right for this house.. I don't have changing the cement steps in my budget but was thinking if I paint them, and maybe the base of the house white? paint the banister?

Nice house. You need some kind of shelter over the door to keep the rain off of you. An awning, if you aren't doing any new construction. I would replace the railing with wood railing like deck railing for the whole porch. You may want to get darker house numbers also, the ones you have now don't show up much. I Would change the tiny flower pots to larger one in a green or clay color and plant something with wertical height or plant mums in them. They will bloom from spring throughout the winter months. I owuld take down the flag, it is distracting. Place it lower at the corner of the house instead. Place blinds on the windows also. You could plant shrubery on the front corners of the house also.

I would extend the porch all the way to the left side where the tree is and cover it. Little bitty glass paned windows would be sweet, but there's plenty of choices! Here's a galley filled with inspiration:

http://www.exovations.com/Product%20Portfolios/Porches/porch_photos.htm

I would relocate mister lion and put in some interesting and colorful trees and shrubs. I feel the need for red brick, but I think I'll be able to get over it. FALL trees okay.

I'd also put the flag on the new porch in just the right spot.
More pix.

Forgive me, I totally forgot to add flower boxes and hanging flowers. So pretty!

Or . . .

A great porch really add value to your home!

Anything you like here?

I love the porch idea, it is just isn't in the budget!! :(

Ouch! Could you talk to your local schools to see if their woodworking/building program would like to tackle this job for less or no moolah but a great recommendation letter from you? Boy Scouts, new contractors? out of work builders are really looking for work these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HANDYMAN. Work it.

PERFECT!