I'm not sure I'd put a pergola on, but I definitely would put two wide-ish trellises to either side of the door and take off the shutters. You want a twining plant (ie one that twines around the trellis, not has suckers which attach to your siding). Alternatively, you could have two free standing columnar trees, but you want to be careful about closeness to the house.

You also want to think about winter. A plain trellis with a deciduous vine might look bare and dead in the winter. (Look at wisteria in winter) If you paint the trellises red (or whatever accent color you go with) it might work.

For a front makeover I would recommend changing the siding to "Cedar Impression". I would lose the shutters and add a Portico over the front door.



http://porticokit.com

purchase long, thin shutters for both sides of the window in white. keep the house all white. purchase a new, carriage style garage door in white for curb appeal. purchase two white urns and add some white geraniums or topiary trees on either side of the front door and to either side of the garage door.

purchase some white vinyl plinth blocks for either side of the front door. Paint the porch railing white. it just needs some simple cosmetic appeal. Don't go overboard or spend too much $ making changes.

tligouri How are you doing? Any ideas that really excite you?

Consider re-siding the upper area of the home to match the vertical run of the lower 3/4 of the sides. The horizontal runs at the top make the home appear "squat" and add to the aforementioned "walleye" effect.

Ok I got that backward - bottom line I'd say running d
Siding in the same direction "(vert or horizontal) will improve the overall appearance.

I appreciate all of these ideas! Sorry about how long it's taken me to respond, it's been a busy Easter weekend (and we're getting our kitchen back together after a complete gut!)! I wish there was a way to draft a picture of what the house would look like implementing the different suggestions like the open air arbor (which I really like) and extending the length of the porch.

I actually considered putting thin, wide shutters on both sides of the windows, but it might look as silly as having one shutter does since they would be so obviously non-functional (ie., they wouldn't be wide enough to cover a window).

I don't want to paint the railing because of the maintenance involved in keeping it looking nice. I also like the look of the stained railing.

As for siding, what we have now is aluminum. Do people still side their homes in aluminum? We got a quote to reside the whole house with vinyl: a "little" pricy at $17G!!! And I kind of like quirkiness of the front siding

I'm going to print out everyone's thoughts and talk them over with the hubby--I'm definitely giving serious consideration to the arbor, extending the deck and libradesigns paint ideas!!!! Thank you, thank you thank you all!!

Great suggestions above. Lastplace had a great idea about the trellis. Another option would be to put in a peaked portico over the front door which would detract from the large blank space between the two upper windows and put the arbors on either side over the front windows. The star should be moved over to the garage and you can put large faux hinges on the garage door to make it look more like a carriage door. The galvanized lanterns suggested by libraeyedesign would be the right thing to do and the suggestion of square pillars is right on! The window boxes only need to be on the upper windows if you put an arbor below. They need to extend the length of the window frame and be much beefier so they visually increase the size of your windows. The shutters need to go, and definitely do not paint your house in different colors above and below, because it will only serve to cut the house in half and make it appear more squat. It is a charming house and with the right elements it will have loads of curb appeal!

There are also opaque stains in colors . I used white stain for the fence around my pool and it does not peel lik paint.

As a native, life long, beach side Californian, I'm confused by a star when going for a costal look. It screams Texas. Some suggestions were to put it over the garage which probably would be a better fit as it looks kind of lonely now.

Love the ideas of a porch, beefing up the entrance, and/or the arbors. Any combo, or all 3 ,would add to the costal cottage charm. All the picture suggestions are beautiful! A peaked entrance would give some heft and balance to the entry, as #1 pointed out.

Also, agree that the siding should all run the same way. What about siding just the front with composite wood looking planks, and wrapping it around the sides of the house a couple of feet. This is done on ranch houses, but they generally have stucco sides and backs.

Good luck, would love to see pictures when you've completed your home. It will look beautiful.

i read through the comments and i'm not sure if i missed it? but the first thing i notice is the top part of the is a bit off because of the siding. and are you sure there wasn't a window covered up in the middle? it would look more balanced with another window. i think older homes are great, i live in one :) mine does not have level floors so who am i to give advice? :) but some kind of pergola or terrace would be wonderful--think how good the lemonade will taste under a canopy of wisteria!! :)

Carriage lights on either side of the front door and either side of the garage door will also add aesthetic appeal.

Check out the windows

ps crackers, there are beaches in Texas and all over the southeast where these stars are right at home. New Englanders love their "stars and stripes" stars at beach houses too. I love the quirky siding change and the funky windows. Now that I am looking close I see the stained porch railing - just consider a dove gray stain next time you maintain them.

I agree with a lot of the comments. A nice grand center entrance would be wonderful w/twin pergolas on each side would look grand & still allow light to the first floor windows while adding charm. I do not understand the campaign to save the giant star. I say sell the star at the next yard sale. I noticed someone suggested white with pops of color with a celery green, if your neighbors are all going with white or brown the soft green would blend & yet stand out all at once with your neighborhood. Where there isn't enough room on both sides of the windows you may as well ditch them as they just point out the window placement. I also agree the checker-board look on your garage is just highlighting the garage door for some unknown reason. You could put faux arches above the windows if you're not able to replace the windows with double hung/multi-paned windows. There's always a lot to do w/a house. Good luck.

i dunno robinduplessis :) have you ever seen Antiques Roadshow? maybe that star is valuable!! :) :)
maybe it's a treasure!!! :) :) besides, this way they can identify their house as "you can't miss us, we're the house with the big red star!" (just teasing you)

Check out the pilasters and plinth blocks on this web site:
http://www.architecturaldepot.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PIL4X86&Category_Code=plinth-blocks
Very affordable and seem easy to install.

http://i.parkseed.com/images/xxl/v1151.jpg

Check out the white hydrangeas on this web page. They would look stately around the house.

I don't know what your budget is, but what if you added a porch...and instead of making the roof of it peaked, make it echo the roofline---flat at the top and the sides angled to the same degree as the roofline. If you beef it up you can fill in the upper area somewhat. It doesn't have to be small....make it big enough to have a porch area that is usable. Just another idea to kick around....

Mchellorollings those hydrangeas are indeed beautiful and they are great for coastal properties but those particular ones require shade. For sun you want to use oak leaf or paniculata hydrangeas but it will give you the same general effect.

Libra, I LOVE your color ideas for the extrerior--so you're suggesting EITHER composed/dewey/ st. barts or Waterscape/composed/surf green, correct? Sounds like you were leaning more to the 2nd set of colors. I'm stopping at SW tonight and pick up swatches and talking with the painter tomorrow!

Should I change to a peaked entry/portico AND a trellis on either side of the door AND the open arbor?

I feel like the window to the right of the door kind of screws up any chance of symmetry if I have lights on either side of the door :( I love this house, but it is wacky as far when it comes to the details and placement of windows!

Mouse: There was never a window there, but I've always said that one SHOULD be there. We can't do that though, (at least I don't think so) because there is a wall above the staircase there and I don't think it's the outside wall. If that makes sense.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of white hydrangeas. That part of the house gets sun in the afternoon, it's usually pretty shady there. However, anytime I've planted hydrangeas they haven't done very well. I was thinking more along the line of grasses.

Thank you thank you all!

I think the center peaked portico would create the symmetry on the front. You could always have just one large light on the left of the door to balance the window or depending on the height of the portico peak you could hang a lantern from the center. The arbors on either side over the windows would look great. As for the hydrangeas they grow well in a wide range of zones but the one shown will not tolerate afternoon sun. If you want that look you need to go with hydrangea paniculata which looks similar but likes sun. If you let me know what zone you live in I can let you know which would be the best cultivars. Grasses can also look interesting and depending on your paint selection you might consider some of the blue grasses since their striking Color makes a statement.

Aniluap2, I live in upstate NY which I believe is Zone 5. I would love and appreciate your suggestions!!

Repaint those lovely Adirondack chairs white for a more coastal look.

Ok everyone, here are the colors we're *pretty* sure we've decided on! The top color is the main house, the middle is the trim and the blue is for the barn star and door. We are soooo excited AND I got a 40% coupon from Sherwin Williams that I can use when we buy it! Woo hoo!

HI -- For this house I think you should fashion it after a " prairie style home ". Remove the shutters and window boxes and replace the top two rows of horizontal siding . then have a 12 inch wide belly band board around separating the two sidings . Paint it white like all the other trims . Paint the top section (vertical) siding and window frames a deep blue/ green and the bottom horizontal siding a soft cream yellow . Continue the yellow onto the garage with the white trims . Just paint the garage door all one color -no squares .Maybe, put the star on the garage if you are keeping it. Then widen or replace the porch roof . Here are some colors for this. Benjamin Moore Paints . Top color - Mermaid -R-9959 or Arles Green R- 9953 .... bottom siding -- Adams Gold - HC-18 or Philadelphia Cream HC - 30 ... trim color - Cloud White - OC - 130

We want to see it finished! Sorry I was missing in action earlier so I'm catching up. Color really pales out on a big house in the sun, so these look bold but are possibly just right to express your coastal style. Give us a look as the painter makes headway. I would not go for a peaked entry portico since your hip roof does not have a peak. There are a thousand options on the open pergola, wall mount, raked or flat, and so forth. I believe I'd strip the other things away, paint the house and railing and step back before I made more decisions. The modern look is going to give you new ideas. You may want to do a more modern style asymmetrical trellis / entry roof (since you don't have deck symmetry) when you see what she looks like with her new style. Lefty has a good idea with his prarie style trim concept too - though again, completely different and new.

I Love the color you have chosen for the main house, and the door. I'm not sure if its just the computer but the white for the trim looks like it has a purple hue to it. Is that right?

HI -- If you are referring to the Cloud White -- no,- it does not have a purple hue to it . It is a nice warm clean white that most designers use all the time .

Must have been my computer screen. Love cloud white, I've used it for years on most of my homes Your making progress

You have to click on the image to see all three colors: The dark one is SW Composed, the trim is Dewey and the accent color is St. Barts.

Dark meaning the top color :) All SW paint

The light color doesn't really have a purple hue, I'll look again when I get home!

Nope, dewey is the white of composed - it has a blue green undertone.

The painter came over yesterday, and he loves the color scheme, hehe. So does my neighbor, and that's kind of important!

That's reassuring, I can't wait to see pics of the outcome. :)

Any paint been slung around those parts? Progress is fun too.

Hi! No paint yet, the painter said he'd start in May when the weather is a little warmer and more reliable :) I promise to post pics!

Painter came out and powerwashed the house yesterday and will start painting next week---I'm very excited and a little nervous!

We're off!!!

Keep the pix coming…exciting for you.

TA DA!

We'll be putting the flower boxes on later tonight, so I'll post another picture then--we absolutely LOVE IT!!!

And here it is!

Ok everyone, I await further instructions to continue with de-weirding my house and getting a more coastal look :) Thanks!

Would love planting ideas!

The first thing I think of are ornamental grasses for a coastal feel.

love the paint job !! i agree with grasses. Very pretty.

Nice! Where is this located for context around planting?