Hi, all,

I could use some opinions and ideas for improving the curb appeal of our little ranch, please? ~~ I thought maybe adding an uncovered porch for a couple of rocking chairs(i.e., a slightly raised concrete patio with a white railing) across part of the front would improve the looks and be lots of fun.

I have been researching different styles of porches and railings on the Vintage Woodwork site

http://www.vintagewoodworks.com/porposbalrai.html

But I'm wondering if their railing ideas might be too much and/or too expensive for such a modest house. I visited Home Depot and Lowes but I didn't care for their pvc and composite components and they said I would have to order wood components.

Does anyone have recommendations on sources or ideas that would keep costs down but add curb appeal?

Does anyone have an eye for 'scale' and 'detail' and could recommend what style of porch railing would work with this ranch?

Here is a link to the GW thread about our house with photos of the front (from the 'Home Decorating' Forum) The house is undergoing renovation and now is painted off white with blackish green shutters and has an oak front door.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0612145426070.html

Any thoughts on how to do a porch/stoop/patio would be much appreciated. Thanks. f.