It would take quite a lot to transform your home into anything resembling a Craftsman. I'd seek the advice of a creative and competent architect who can sketch some ideas for you to see the possibilities. A project like this will not come inexpensively; you need to make major changes.

Good luck!

Diana, Thank you!. Thanks for your thoughts. At this time, we are aware that we will need to spend $$$ to create more curb appeal. I really hate the overhang by the front door. :(

thoughts?

I could see closing in the current entry to make it interior and adding something like this:

Well......Joanna Gaines could do it....hee hee. It always amazes me what she can do. Medium gray paint or blue. Can't tell brick color very well. Maybe a rich warm tan or taupe. Super white trim on windows. Shutters. Looks like they have some nice thick trim and painted everything the same color. New Craftsman garage style door would do a lot. Bring down some awesome craftsman columns from that overhang at front porch. You could also put some cool gables in the overhang and the other upper addition. Your yard is amazing. The overhang is a little tricky. Is that an addition or are do all the houses in that area have this.

Carftsman homes have a nice color contrast on the outside and larger overhangs where there are corbels or other details... maybe try that on that piece that comes across the door....

Add some columns or if you have the budget, bring the front entry out from under that piece... You do absolutely need to get the skills of an architect involved too...

Lindsay, I never thought about closing it in and seeing what that could do. Thats a creative idea! We thought about creative some sort of faux portico and incorporating the current overhang, but we were unsure how that would look.

Lgstacy...lol Joanna Gaines can do anything! :) She is so talented. The brick color is hard to tell in the picture. It has some pink undertones to it and I am also not a huge fan. I have quoted out some lime washing and german smear on it. Thoughts? I agree on the white and garage door!

The overhang is not an addition. It is an unfortunate part of the house that we can't remove. All the models like ours have the overhang but do not have the addition above the front window.

Yes, Joanna Gaines is very talented, but don't be fooled, she can't possibly do all that herself. Maybe she started out doing renovations by herself, but at this point she and Chip have a large staff of talented designers and architects/engineers, not to mention trades persons (carpenters, plumbers, electricians) to achieve the kinds of transformations that are presented on the show. (And I love their look too!)

You need an architect to make an improvement on the house you have, short of knocking it down and creating a Craftsman. Improve the exterior, but you can not get to Craftsman unless you build one.New.

Is your house mid 80's or early 90's? I would look to a clean pared down look instead, embrace the asymmetrical roofline and the cantilever at the front. One of my absolute favourite before and after Houzz . This architect had a vision for sure! Your landscaping would need a few tweaks, but your large trees are perfect for this style.

More photos on this house here...https://www.houzz.com/projects/1134412/somerset-renovation

Will never be craftsman. That "thing" over the door looks to be a 2nd floor room. Wrong style windows. Neighborhood doesn't look to be craftsman either. You can improve upon the style you have by changing paint color, garage door & updating landscaping

Almost anything is possible if one has enough money. New neighbors of mine have just spent more than a year having their house completely transformed, its unrecognizable from its previous state , incredible job but it cost them tons of $$$. Instead of focusing on onw particular style I would hire an architect to come up with some suggestions.

Thanks everyone. BetteP that exterior project is amazing! Not my style at all, but looks great. jsck910, you're right the thing above the door is a part of a second floor closet and cannot be removed. I am open to creative ideas and doing something that fits the bones of the home and neighborhood. The style home we love is a craftsman , but we understand that it may not be possible. We will for sure plan on using an architect. I appreciate any ideas about the front porch overhang- craftsman or another style.

I've often fantasized about J. Gaines doing a remodel on my house, but yeah, she has help from a large staff of people for sure. Going by the pictures, I would say your house has a better chance of looking "farmhouse" without a ton of money.

I think this house can be beautiful modern house/midcentury but I can't imagine it craftsman. I think the best is to embrace what architect wanted to deliver instead of faking the style...

Im no expert just someone who spends a lot of time looking at Houzz but I don't see why the closet thing would preclude your house from ever being craftsman. I just did a general search in photos and filtered style: craftsman and room: exterior and see many with that type of thing.

Not saying your house can look identical to these but I don't see why it wouldn't be possible to get a craftsman look!

I think the area above the front door is definitely missing a column. Tapering columns are typical craftsman. I think incorporating subtle craftsman elements would be nice and more cost effective (add a craftsman door, light fixture etc instead of changing the style completely). I've never heard of a professional that recommended changing up the style of a house completely.

What Bailey R described is happening around the corner from me, too. Anything is possible with $$$.

Keep in mind that to get the look you want will involve more than just trim and a paint job. Windows alone are going to be very expensive.

Add garage door which is facing the street and is the first thing which must say Craftsman and the siding.

Why not check the real estate listings and look for the real deal.

Forgot….the interior decor. There is a gorgeous Craftsman (new high-end construction) near me which does not sell. The problem is the Craftsman feel is not carried throughout the interior. The furniture and paint colors are beachy!

Just a thought. Down the road, should you sell your house with the changes you envision, it might be a turn off to a potential buyer.

I am seeing many 60s ranches and later being slightly craftsmaned up. Obviously it won't make it a real craftsman but you can definitely add some beams on the outside, change the windows or at least add some insert mullions, and paint in more crafty, dusty blue, green, gray colors.