Just read your comments to "landscaping the front of our house" and would like for you to comment on mine also. I keep wondering what to put under the picture window when we put a porch on.

The proportions of your porch are going to be odd if you take them to the end of the house on the right but not the left. Try a postage stamp landing porch that includes the door and the one window to the right, under an open gable to solve the roof issue, and make the whole thing deeper - maybe 12' square. Then you can balance both sides of that with planting.

I was an architecture major but went to engineering because most women don't and I always wanted to be able to support myself. This is still a passion though, so yes, I do this to relax!!

So would you have the roof come out 12ft? My contractor originally suggested A 10x12 porch. I thought it would look like a box out there. That was why I thought a 7' by 20'.

When my daughter lived at another place in this neighborhood they had a very small porch. She enjoyed having her coffee in the morning out there. In the back yard they did their BBQing. It was more of a gathering place,but the front was more of a place that folks stopped by on their walk.

I've worked for contractors for years, until I retired. Mainly in commercial, but in the office. I love doing this, but do not have the experience or style that I wish I had. Great that you do and love reading all your comments. I've sat at my iPad for several hours just reading through different comments and find that yours seem to be to my liking the most. Thanks for your help.

Here are a couple of pictures that might be more like you are talking about Libra. What do you think f these?

TLove the one on the left because the chunky columns have better proportions - that might not be 100% right but you at least can get the vision.. I also prefer the trim on the gable to be triangular - connect the top of all the posts - this feels more weighty and finished. The sides have the same trim element that make them feel sheltered - You will want to consider the details - what kind of railing (the open chippendale railing is pretty classic but a bit more traditional than this house)

You don't have symmetrical windows and shutters are wrong for your place but window boxes would be totally darling and shift the window proportions to add cottage charm.

This is the budget version -

Something like this more contemporary approach (show it to your daughter . . could be expanded into the larger scale and be a big curb appeal plus - it may not fit your traditional porch vision but is worth a discussion. You would do a gable like above, but with open more modern trim work at the gable - since your door is off-center / the window is going under too - this in gable form might be totally charming . . but again, a bit more contemporary.

Finally - one of the neatest ranch house front areas - not a solid roof, so you get more sunlight through (but no good in a rainstorm except under the eave at the door . . . planter provides the railing edge so more of it is usable, and the stairs work in two directions . . a more contemporary or cottage like door is probably best with these options - though a bright color on the existing with new siding color might do it. Are you ready for paint suggestions outside yet?

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm starting to be swayed towards the porch on the left. It is more like the porch the contractor was suggesting in the first place I think. Will show it to Julie and contractor and see how they feel about it. I think it defiantly needs to have the roof covering. In the back a lattice above would be fine, but not in front.

One of the things that we need to pay attention to is any planting material needs to be something that the deer don't care for. Thorney, heavy bark, etc. they don't particularly care for. Of course if they are hungry enough anything goes. Probably back yard can have more flowers.

Yes, I would like outside suggestions on color. Not sure if we are going to paint this year.

Libra, have not heard from you in a couple of days. Last question was what color do you suggest for outside and for the porch! Paperwork is signed now and daughter and crew are cleaning out the place. What a job they have as the kid there left a lot if stuff to be thrown away. Ugh.

The porch dilemma has now been solved and I need advice about color. Help please. This is the porch that we decided was best.

Porch didn't attach, so here it us again.

Great looking porch - so tell me this - what color houses are next door to you? What colors does your daughter use for accents in her living room?

A couple houses down is a grey house. Actually think the next door neighbor is are grayish blue. We think we would like to keep it a green as we are going that way inside, but maybe a better shade of green and then what to do with the porch color.

A natural shade of green (closer to the porch picture) is bm victorian garden - I would pair this outdoors with a warm historic white - bm lancaster white

Since you have the stacked stone wall, you might like to also test something a bit more cottagey - this is lighter, still green (ignore the name - it is just muted) but muted a bit more to make up for it being lighter. . this is probably closest to the porch picture once it is up on the house bm horizon gray http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/horizongray

use the same trim tone - these two greens are just options - the first is deeper, more of a mid tone, and the second will give you more of a cottagey feel, look better with the gorgeous stacked stone wall i think . . .

Just looked at the colors and they really are nice. I think lightening up the house might be a good thing. If all goes well with the other projects then it looks like there will be money for a paint job.

So what do you suggest for door? There is that screen door that is white. Should we leave it white or paint it?

Feel like we are moving along now.

You might paint it the same color as the front door - if you go with the lighter color (my fave for you) and what you are using inside are harvest colors . . . pumpkin / terracotta / greens / golds .. then the most unusual and fun cottage color for the front door would be an eggplant bordering on burgundy. - not quite purple, not quite maroon - in between.

Mustard or terracotta won't really be pretty on the front door. Pure Reds aren't right here. Blues would be wonderful but they won't relate to what is going on inside.

A plum red / Eggplant would - and it would be a simple and small statement that would be darling, unique and work with the harvest colors inside well.

Here's the best shade I found for you bordeaux red http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/bordeauxred

or if you want a bit more purple than plum, here's bm eggplant

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/eggplant

Today was a big day. Everything is now out and contractor comes in tomorrow to start. Guess he will start with patching walls. Think he may leave to roof and porch til after inside is done. That actually makes it nice for Julie. We can get her moved in.

We both like the thought of having the outside painted in the Horizon Grey with Lancaster white. We originally had been choosing colors based on a green outside. The brick fireplace went well with it. My concern is will it go with what we were doing on the inside? We'd changed the main color of the rooms to SW Kiln Beige. Is that going to be too brown? Originally we thought about Lamp Shade by C+K but thought it too green. Painting the one dinette wall an orangy color called Sweet Potato which actually an Ace - Clark-Kensington color. That was the only accent wall. I didn't realize until today that BM were Ace Hardware colors.

Julie wanted a reddish colored door, but with our colors we'd have to be careful. Our pick had been C+K Terra Sol. How would the Bourdeaux go with our colors? Wouldn't we be bringing in another color family? I really like that color, but wonder how it would work coming from outside in with a purplish door and then seeing the Sweet potato wall. She and I are both autumn color people I guess. But we like blues also.

Forgot to show the dinette wall with paneling removed.

Pony wall down. Certainly adds an openness to the area.

I love the couch and chair. Want to have them reupholstered.

the plum is great with autumn colors - that is why I picked it - it is beautiful next to terracotta brick like you have and I assume you will test the sweet potato for compatibility in the same room with the brick - sw kilim beige is a great neutral that will be super with the exterior colors - just stick with this warmer white for trim out there - don't go too white white with your trim tones inside either . . I'll go look at the C &K terra sol but I think if you put all the color swatches - next to each other inside on the top row, outside on the bottom row - you will see how nicely they work together . . this bordeaux red is really pretty, it gives her a red (a plum undertone wine red) that works well with the green and the autumn tones ..

So for ceilings which white would you use?

Whatever trim white you are using, but in a flat tone. Because you have wood cabinets and an autumn palette, you want a warm white . . but not like ivory (yellow), like ecru (warmed by brown). Something like bm french canvas http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/frenchcanvas#ce_s=canvas

Going to get a color chip of the French Canvas. I leave early Monday morning. I'd sent an email off if colors, then wrote back to change ceiling colors. Think my selection was going towards the yellowish colors.

Friday half of the roof got on so things are really starting to move. Monday they start inside. Saturday and now Sunday, Brian is clearing out the overgrown plants. We're not sure what to do with the Christmas tree in the front yard. If obstructs the view when backing out of the driveway. Like many have mentioned - why did people put plants where the do? Then they grow to be way to large for the area.

Again thanks for all your help. You are a busy person.

My vote re: the Christmas tree - give it a shearing in the direction of the view - in other words, keep the tree but make it like the Christmas tree that has a good side and a bad side - take out a few branches altogether on that side and shear the rest sort of perpendicular to the drive / parallel to the road - that will give you line of sight AND keep the screen that it is providing to something you may not want to see. Mature landscape is part of what brings character to a place - if it is that far from the house but could be trimmed to provide safety - that is the perfect location. As it ages you can treat it like a sequoia and trim it above 3' - you may only need about 6 years until you can lift it out of the eye level of a driver.

Just some ideas. It is an exciting time to see something come together. If any of my input has been helpful, I am happy to help. keep posting as it comes together. . warmest wishes to your entire family as they embark together on a new surroundings adventure . .

Last night in Tucson. Off to project tomorrow. Big day. When I spoke with Julie I suggested we not do anything like taking the tree down right now. Your suggestion of pruning it is what I also thought. We'll do that including taking some of the fullness away from the bottom and see what it looks like. Like you I love the mature trees. The front yard is in need of some landscaping. Back yard also, but this year we need to try and do something in front. Again your suggestions.

This is all they took out yesterday, now cleaned up.

I would plant a group of three low growing evergreens - shrub not tree - linking the christmas tree next door with the middle of your side fence - hiding the foundation / retaining wall along the property line to your right plant them zig zag angled from tree to front door - one back nearer the concrete . . .that will balance the christmas tree . . the wall is gorgeous. In this area, I'd think of something flowering and floppy like mock orange to plant behind the wall so that when it flowers, it falls over the wall a bit . . adding to the layered effect. There, you might try abelia grandiflora behind the wall . . and between the wall and the asphalt, plant a flat 12" native groundcover before June is over . . water it once a week through the summer so it establishes. .. start a curvy path to the new layout of the front porch just past the Christmas tree . . find some more flat stone and line the sides of the walk with it,then fill with 3" of pea gravel once construction is done. . a trellis across the front of the carport supported by posts on both sides - a couple of deciduous but hearty vines at both ends to cover the trellis ..

When they build your porch - have them leave the ceiling out - so you have an open peak / truss structure above and can hang a lantern above it all - put new sconces on either side of the entry stair.

bet your days are very full now back in idaho . . must be exciting to see the interior come together. . .

It was a long day yesterday. Went to Home Depot to pick up some items and it took way longer than it should. Isn't that always the way? It was a productive day however. Met with two upholsterers to recover the couch and chair. Then an hour drive to the house. Contractors dug for footings for the porch. Weather has been good, so they need to do outside things when they have that window. Inside is still pretty much the same except for boxes of lights and ceiling lights opened up. This am meet with a fellow for counter tops. In fact need to get ready to leave. More later. Yes, it is getting really exciting. Again, thanks for your help and support.

Today pier assembly for porch was put in place. Tomorrow they frame up the porch. Trusses are not here so we have to wait for several days. More roofing was done today also. Exciting day.

Julie and I worked in the yard with continuous cleanup and a dump run. A couple pictures.

The rear yard is so charming with the flagstone steps and path . .

We are moving right along. Thought you would like to see what the porch looks like today. Been busy crazy as you can well imagine.

Don't know what happened to the picture.

Getting ready to paint interior. The fun begins now.

Things are really moving along. Flooring is all installed, kitchen counters will be finished today. Porch is almost finished. Steps today and rail finished. Some electrical still to do. Painting will start later this week.

There's your porch!!! Delightful - happy to see such amazing progress Gini! The proportions of the porch look just right - useable but it doesn't overpower the house. I hope you are as happy as you look in the photo and that you and daughter both are pleased with the way things are coming along inside . .

Actually that is my daughter Julie on the porch. She is thrilled with the porch. With working and carrying on a schedule like we have she stayed home from work yesterday, then came over when her husband came home from work. I was on job site from 8 -6 yesterday. Quite a day. Flooring, general and countertop guys. In a small house we were full, but they all had their spot and it worked. Saws on patio, carport and front yard. Today counter tops will be finished. Tomorrow outside painter comes to pressure wash the outside. Feels like a This Old House project. My daughter keeps saying, Mom I could never have done this. Maybe some of my past experience has come into play.

Thanks for your help. Everyone loves the colors. Neighbors stop by in awe. It has been fun.

We moved my daughter in a couple of days ago, and Monday the outside will start its change. Been a wonderful exciting time for this little house. It now has a smile on its face even though we are not finished.

It looks great Gini - I hope you are pleased with the proportions .

Yes, we are happy with the proportions. Will be happier after it is painted. Still needs some work in the yard, but that will come. Neighbors are all happy. The next door neighbor calls the porch a "sittin porch". All the workers laughed at that. Had never heard that term before. Other neighbors say they are jealous of the porch.

After 25 days we have made tremendous strides in this project. Libra thank you for all of your suggestions. I hope you like the way it turned out. We do.

We still have gutters, yard work and a walkway to complete but that will be done shortly. Right now I'm heading back to Tucson. Done my part in getting them moved in.

Just realized that there were no interior pictures. Here are a couple.

There have been some changes since I took the interior pictures, but it's late I need to catch a flight early and ------------. You know how that goes. The chicken wall us totally different. The large picture on left is gone some smaller knees added. We're still unpacking.

Chair has now been reupholstered. New life for a beautiful old chair that was quite broken down. The couch will next, but the lady doing the work is taking some time off. Looks it will be fall before it can be done. Oh well, we did a lot in 25 days.

Gini - indeed you did. I'm sure your family thinks it landed in heaven with the changes made. . . .

Yes Julie is thrilled. My friends are amazed at how this ugly duckling turned out. Coffee with a friend yesterday she admitted that she was concerned when she saw the before picture, but followed my daily updates on Facebook. Then looked at my pictures while we chatted. She just said over and over how thrilled she was and what a gift to my daughter. I'd like to do it again if I could find the right place. After I sell my house that is.

I learned a lot, used what experience I've acquired over the years and listened to you as an expert. Everyone remarks about the colors and what a great choice. Some yours some mine, but they worked. Changing the outside color which was your idea, but "The Porch" is what everyone remarks about. What a difference it makes. And yes, they/we used it a lot. A "sittin" porch as one neighbor calls it

Just reread all the comments and remembered at one time Libra you asked if there was a view from the front. Being back in Tucson could not actually remember if there was a view. The house faces the mountains seeing some rooftops, but it is nice. Here is a picture taken from my bedroom window looking at the neighbors beautiful Wisteria.

Extra picture showing counter top a little better.

Lovely view and even better - the neighbors are lower in elevation and far enough back from the street that you get a sense of real privacy. Love it!

Libra, I find this whole Internet interesting in posting a project. Thanks to you and this site I was able to get the help I needed to do this project. Funny no one else was even interested in it.

After the project was completed posted it on HomeTalk. Wow! The comments and positive feed back have been incredible. There has been close to 100K that have looked at the post and well over 100 comments. Almost all have made a comment in how the porch changed the whole project and what a wonderful change in the outside color. Thanks to you for the color and I'm glad that I still wanted the porch. Yes, Julie loves it.

Thanks again. You are so generous In your suggestions. If everyone only knew how lucky to have you on their team.