Plus, more cohesiveness in your landscaping would really improve the outside. Would it be possible to change the location of the front door, so that it is clearly visible from the street.

Thank you both! We're looking into either painting the aluminum siding or getting new siding. After we do, I'm not sure whether to leave the brick white, grind it down a little for a white washed look or paint it the same color as the siding. What color siding? Medium grey? I agree with all of the suggestions above. I would love to move the front door unfortunately we would lose our tiny coat closet if we did:/ were also dealin with a load earring wall that's perpendicular to the brick wall.

Do you know what's under the siding? My guess is the siding is not original to the house. My little English cottage is stucco (original), but many of the neighboring homes have had siding or shingles added over the years. Some look good, while others, well . . . Suggest you walk around the neighborhood and see what other similar homes look like and use them for your guide. I'd also cut down the shrub that blocks the entrance and maybe try to find a period-appropriate front door. BTW, your house is awfully cute.

I love your Storybook English Cottage! Rare indeed and always so lovely I agree with what has been said and you are planning some great things. I think I would build a porch to the end of the chimney wall to expand your home and then put a cute bench on the porch. A simple deck look would probably work. Look at Houzz porch pictures. I would also hire a Landscape Architect and have the yard designed for an English Country Garden. The house looks nice the mat and frame not so much.

Poppleton Park, Birmingham, MI Exterior Makeover · More Info

Poppleton Park, Birmingham, MI Exterior Makeover · More Info

Nice yard/garden and porch addition?

Cottage garden · More Info