Where is the front door?

I was wondering the same thing. A big part of curb appeal is making sure the Entry is prominent. Second, I wouldn't just start painting or thinking of moving windows (even though you mentioned you can't here) without figuring out the overall game plan. For example, if you do end up modifying your "box", then having spent thousands on a paint job will be wasted because you will have to do it again. I have a number of super informative articles on setting priorities, phasing a construction project, determining what type of permit you need, etc. on my website. Feel free to use them as you wish! http://www.waschastudios.com/new-blog/

If you post an image of the front of the house I'm happy to offer more specific comments. -Stephanie

This is the front of the house. The front door is up the driveway. Past that first window you can sort of see it; there is a pause in the brick siding on the ground.

Internally, we love the layout of the house, so we won't be restructuring a ton, but we may change the windows and build a deck. We don't know--but we do not want to change the whole layout of the house. The inside of the house is perfect; the outside is what doesn't work for us.

This is the house from the street.

Thank you!

Stephanie, your blog is really great. Thank you!

An arch over the sidewalk leading to the house? Maybe an arch with a gate? You can then plant creeping roses or clematis or other vine on it. If you like a cleaner look, the arch can be wrought iron.

If there is room outside the front door, a patio with a bench or two chairs or a glider to make it look comfy.

The thing that stands out about the street view of your house is not so much the box shape but rather the forbidding fence. Are you open to getting rid of that? To create curb appeal, you need to make it look welcoming to visitors. This fence does the opposite. Since your front door is on the driveway, are you planning to drive your car past the front door? The driveway looks very narrow to actually be usable.

Paint and Landscaping is always helpful!

decide first if you need a fence around the front yard.

if you do see about changing the style to something a bit more open this one closes you off and looks like "keep out"

soften the landscape under the windows, use something a little taller so if fills in the blank space.

consider adding an eye brow pergola over the front door.. to lead the eye there, and give some substance to the entry.

cut back the shrub in crouching on your drive way to the right.

Absolutely, Barbra! We are planning on tearing that down and adding one that is more stylish--most likely lower with horizontal planks.

The driveway is narrow, but usable. We plan on driving up there and parking there. We don't plan on changing the structure of the house.

Raegan Ford, I think that goes without saying. I'd love some suggestions--particularly as to the paint. If you see my post, I am asking specifically about paint and am eagerly open to suggestions. Again, is there a general rule of thumb to go darker or lighter with a large boxy house? Light almost seems like it would accentuate it, while dark would make it seem foreboding.

I would be tempted to take this to a cleaner, more contemporary/modern look. Are there any divisions down the side of the home that would allow you to color block some areas to break up the length and add some vertical sections of a different color? See photo below. White, medium grey and dark grey with black framed windows. I would investigate larger windows for the front eliminating the brick.

In the future, you could add cedar siding. I love the 2nd photo, showing the use of two different materials, the horizontal cedar and the vertical board/batten style to break up the 'boxy' house.

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is the fence coming down?

If you enter modern fence in the Photos tab Houzz searchbar, there are lots of inspirational photos. Take advantage and start some Houzz ideabooks to save your photos, it's a great thing.

For the side entry, some ideas for overhangs.

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