Here's the floor plan!

I actually like my door better, too! Thank you! It's what behind that I don't like. If you look at the floor plan you can see where I thought about shaving off the end of the closet and reorienting it against the wall. Then, if I slid the door over, there would be a closet behind the open door. Does that make sense? But I'm afraid that might look too crowded and make the entrance worse!

Maybe you could tape off your new closet and front door placement with painters tape, on the floor, before you get too far along in your plans? That way, you'll get a realistic idea of how much room you'll have as you enter your house.

Not sure how bit is Bedroom 'A', but I would be tempted to use that closet for the foyer and remove the current closet that faces the front door.

I would not lose the sidelights. I love janishill's idea of the double doors--especially ones with glass.

Closet: I see what you mean about slicing. It's a possibility but you'll end up with a teeny closet. Don't know how useful it'll be.

2 other options:
1. Fill in the sliding door of the current closet, creating a clean wall facing the front door. Put a single hinged door on the opposite side of where the current sliding doors are. You could install shelves in the one side that is no longer accessible to door opening and use a rod in the rest.

On your new blank wall, you could put a beautiful piece of art or a nice mirror.

2. Replace sliding door with one attractive hinged door. drywall the rest of the opening. You still see a closet when you walk in but it's more attractive than the typical slider. I think many people are used to seeing closets when they walk into front doors.

The house I grew up in had the exact same configuration as yours. We had one single door -- not sliders. The contents of the livingroom always grabbed the attention of the visitor, and they didn't look directly at the closet.

Use double doors that mimic the new front doors, but are mirrored. You will still have a place to hang coats, stash an umbrella, and hide the vacuum, but no one will notice them if you hang an absolutely lovely piece of artwork on the back wall and have scads of light shining in.

They can even be made to look like the look identical to the front door...which will visually render them invisible. Follow this or better yet have your builder do it: http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/dressing-up-closet-doors/index.html

Just my opinion, but white shutters, oval white window in front door and large urn planter either side front door to have s mall flowers and vines in them for interests sake during summer and insert small artificial trees with tiny lights for fall christmas look. Brass lights, #'s,and mailbox on front by entrance as well.

I like the way the existing closet defines the foyer, and protects sight lines to the rest of your home - a casual visitor to the door can't case the joint! If your foyer is too small, demo the front and side walls of the entry closet, but leave the rear wall - this will add nearly 3' of depth in the space, but retain the space definition. Use a furniture armoire on the side wall for closet and storage (and style). This should open the entry enough to feel like a positive change. If you decide to keep the closet, i like the mirrored door idea above.

AMN suggested exactly what I was thinking. Move the door to the back of the closet and drywall the front where the current closet door is, thus creating a space for a small console table and mirror or nice piece of artwork that you would see when entering the front door.

Yikes! Keep the sidelights, I would love to have a front door like that. But I, too, had one where you walked into the back wall of a closet, which unfortunately housed the AC/Heat. Since you've got options, I would give up that closet and put a buffet-type table there along wtih a mirror on the wall. . It would re-direct people to the right and still serve as something decorative, not a wall, and a place for keys. A few decorative baskets or ceramic umbrella-holders would make the area more homey. Personally, with that entry and classy curved window, I'd spend some money on upgrading the walkway and exterior entry. . It looks like a long way from the driveway to the front door, and I would soften that with some low lighting and shrubs up to your wonderful front door and window.

You have a beautiful stone house but it is wasted. I you simply change the white to an off white the trim and the stone will blend and you will see and feel the stone. Right now all you see is white pieces jumping off the house. Also paint the garage door a tan similar to the tones in the stone.

I love your house.! I wouldn't replace the front door... Just paint it a nice color maybe picking up the brown/gray color in the stone. Replace the exterior lights with gas lights. They look terrific at night.

I don't mean to be rude and had thought to mention this before, but didn't. To me...my personal opinion..is your shrubs have outlived their usefullness and detract from your home. If the funds are there have them removed.

If the exterior is going to be repainted go with a mossy green or a dove gray.

I hope you will post updates!

Voting for the armoire idea. A nice piece of furniture opposite the door will enhance the space and serve a function too.

Here is an idea, just remove the closet doors, paint the back wall a nice accent color that would tie in with your living room and install a small chest, artwork and lamp!

Thanks for all the advice! I'm thinking now that I will keep the sidelights, close up the front of the closet and put a door on the back as was recommended! And thanks for the other related comments - the house will be getting a complete makeover, new roof, etc. and I'm getting a landscaping plan done so, no worries! I know there's plenty to do!

Yes, painting the entry area to bring out the warmth of the stone will make a world of difference. Adding color to the front door says welcome! Best of luck!

To make the most of your investment, I advise it's best to hire a professional to design and draft up the entire project. Have a clear path to follow from the start, and less stress at the end!

I love your door with the side lights, and I would not change it at all. I notice the bow window has seven panes, and I wonder if you would consider making this window smaller so that you could "borrow" enough space from the next room so that the coat closet could be relocated to the right side of the foyer, as one enters the house. Your home is a lovely design, and I hope you will be able to change some parts and restore others so that it will be comfortable for you.

February 2013. Hopefully project is finished.