Could we please see a closer pic of the area?

There are other arched windows (6) apart from over the door. If your taste runs more modern I think it’s not the house for you if the exterior appearance is that significant for you.

Thanks, yes that's definitely a problem but it is the best location so we moved in and I'm trying my best to at least update it even if some arches need to stay. I can also replace the other arched windows with straight edges if it comes down to it. That window above the door is just so hideous that even regular arched windows don't look that bad. I'll take a closer pic tomorrow in day light! Thanks for the help!

The trim around the window/door stands out most to me - I think because it's contrasted with the gray stone. If you eliminate the stone and stucco area like the rest of the house, this should tone down the trim. This isn't the best pic...

Paint the stark white trim a color that blends better with the stone so that it stops shouting "look at me" and I think you will find it much easier to live with. Alterations that transform the house to a less '90s look are going to be very expensive. Eliminating that whole structure with the front door and increasing the roof pitch while eliminating the hip roof could make it look like a much more classic design, but it is very hard to imagine that it would be worthwhile.

everyone is going to be hating on farmhouse design in another 15 years.

i dont hate arches, but i dislike overbearing over built ones. you can remove the stone and square the foyer window for some $ that you won't get back at sale. so you need to get an estimate and divide it over the number of years you expect to live there, divide that by 365 to understand how much it will cost you EVERY DAY to get rid of the arch. only you can decide if its worth it or not.

but first i'd paint out the fat trim to match the stone and see if you like it better. that never looked good from the day it was built.

With enough $$$ you can do anything. Here's a reno that proves it.

that was money well spent.

Is the house in New Jersey, by any chance?

I really appreciate all of the ideas. I agree that trim stands out around the windows so I def think lightening it to the stucco color will help. Love that before and after pic! We are located in Northern Virginia. Here is a closer look at the icky door trim. I wondered how difficult it would be remove the stone. Typically, I love stone but this is such a skinny tower. I was thinking if I got rid of it and put a roof over the front door it could divide it.

I think that you need a breaking point above the door ,have a rounded shaped awning installed paint the door a vibrant colour and enjoy the view from the second floor if you need privacy a light sheer can be installed in the window and sidelights. Also add a couple pot with flowers in Season and get a mat for the porch .

Dear Hunt7191,

I couldn't agree with you more! The door, window above and the stone treatment all violate the pretty facade and proportions of the rest of the exterior. This entry is badly scaled and the finishes are not complementary to the house design. I would redesign the entire vertical area of the door and window by paying attention to the scale around it. The arches above the windows on either side of the protruding entry door are well scaled. I would not widen the door because there isn't enough surface area to support a double door width. This would just push it uncomfortably close to the edges of this stone area. I would simply remove the window above the door and fill the area with solid wall and face it with the same stone. I would replace the door and transom window with the same style and size of arch that is over the window to the right of it in the head on view you posted, and at the exact same height, though more proud (forward). Actually, I would make the door skinnier (if you can get away with it by code) so that it better matched the proportions of the windows. Then, I would paint out the stone to match the house. You could call out the door in a fresh fun color of your choosing, but leave all the trim to match the beige that is rest of the facade.

Guess I'm the only one. But I find the orphaned window to the left of the front door the most discordant element of the facade. But the cost of redoing the stucco to match makes its removal uneconomic.

******

With enough $$$ you can do anything.

Too bad the homeowners didn't do some research on the proper use of shutters.

I agree worthy! I hate the orphaned window too!!!!

The garage actually has nice proportions. You could incorporate the trim style with the coining of the garage around the entry box. Rip that stone off. It looks thin.

I think the worst aspect of the upper arched window is its SIDELIGHTS. Your other arched windows don't have sidelights. They have muntins, which this window doesn't have.

I think if you removed the sidelights from your door as well as from the upper arched window, it would look less obtrusive. That might be pretty pricey, but I really don't have any idea of a $$ figure.

I suppose the most cost effective option is to paint the trim to a softer shade in the stone and get double doors.

Next option would be to remove the stone for sure and just carry the stucco on over. I think replacing the two arched windows on the right would be great.

Here are some other options.

One book I always refer people to, which covers a lot of basics to architectural elements of a house.

thanks Dover! I'll buy the book now, the before and after pics are fantastic.

it seems like you could just replace the window and size down the new one? getting rid of the arch shape and opting for a large rectangle or several smaller ones will help a lot. framing in some fixed windows in general won't cost too much.

something like this maybe?

modern entry door with windows above

Hi hunt791 - what did you end up doing?

Looks fabulous!

Thank you ❤️

Thank you for sharing such an inspiring update!

Wow, what a difference! Looks wonderful! Amazing transformation. :)

Thanks guys!

Much better!

A whole new and better look! Well done.

Wow! Your home will be the example that people here use as an example of how to transform the exterior of their home. Bravo!

Beautiful!!!

Thanks ptreckel and all!!! It was definitely worth it. The Provia door was about 10k, then the portico build, new window, rock repair work about 20k. So for about 30k it made a big difference and I would def do it again.

What paint colors did you use?