It seems like you're trying to turn a ranch style home into a mid century modern. I would look at house photos using the search term mid century modern exterior for ideas: [houzz=]

I agree the posts need to be larger, but what about the round columns that you can get at home improvement stores that have the nice upper & lower caps? I think they make a nicer look. I like paints that match any brick on the home, you have the brick chimney. I agree with removing the colonial detailing under the windows, and using smaller shutters. This home is surounded by green, the grass, the trees, I think any green paint would make it look "lost". I do like blue/grey with white trim, or maybe even a pale yellow trim. Whatever you do colorwise, I think I'd bring in some pop with window boxes under the windows, you have the room for it on the porch. Nice statement planters on either side of the door. I'm not a big fan of shrubbery but you will need something in front of the porch. Perhaps a small tree to the side where the chimney is, a small Japanese maple. Because the porch is almost flush with the ground in front, you can't really build up, but you could dig down and put some larger natural rocks dug down with some soil behind it.

It's a really nice home. Congrats.

i agree completely with motownmom. I have a ranch, also, with the bottom half brick. You can pick out some colors in the brick chimney and paint it that. Definitely need some window boxes which will cover the trim under them. Also, maybe some different height flower pots on the porch with a nice table for two.

if this is my house , I will not remove the 4x4 post. if it is still good and strong. Add a railing and and a flowering pots on top of the railing.in the entrance ,I will put big pot s of topiery on both side.remove the shutter and paint the window and screen door trim with light green or golden yellow or cranberry red.

If you like cottage style you are half way there already. I would use the 6 x 6 posts with simple straight lined corner brackets. Then country style shutters. Maybe a couple of front porch benches, and grassy plants in big pots. I neat detailed screen door would be nice.

It's difficult to tell the depth of the porch, but a lighter color paint (in the light cream family that blends with the brick- a color close to Austin Stone) will keep it light and really show off your beautiful new roof. Next I'd do the columns in a natural wood, stained deep to compliment the roof. If the current columns are good, you can simply box them in and add trim- you can also add railing if you like. Yes, lose the colonial trim under windows. If doing shutters, make sure they are sized correctly and done in the same stained wood as the columns. A beautiful new lantern by the door in an oil rubbed bronze with stylized house numbers hung near will really update everthing. Landscaping will be key in your project and can really make it all pop. Good luck! You have a beautiful, natural setting to work with. Using "natural" colors and materials will help it blend with the lot and will look beautiful as the nature changes with the seasons!

Thanks all for the really helpful comments - particularly motownmom and princessfirefly. Appreciate the careful thought that went into your ideas.

Consider putting flowers in a landscaped garden in front of the porch instead of window boxes. Looks like you are kind of narrow for window boxes if you intend to use the porch. I would add comfortable chairs and table like 2 wicker chairs and small table. Here's a cute porch with railings. I like the contrasting color on the railings and posts and some other porch options.







.

I agree with Erlinda Horsley. Installing railing between posts and adding some flower baskets is very good idea for your porch.

Would you consider gently curving that path and perhaps changing it to gravel or stepping stones. You could grow cat mint or lavender or ladys mantle along it. Would be lovely

If you were my client I would say that the most economical solution and one that would add great appeal would be a pergola attached to the front. Here's an example :

Thought I would post an "after" pic - thanks for everyone's help and comments. What an awesome source for us all!

still hadn't finished the trim when I took this photo - it's all done now!

Wow, wonderful upgrade! Congrats on a job well done.

Are you staining the posts with opaque white stain? It will look more finished that way, and an inviting colorful bench and some more flowerpots will be the finishing touch. Nice screen door BTW.

What a difference! Great job!

Hi! What about putting a porch swing on the porch?
http://deciture.com/shop/outdoor/7/classic-porch-swing/

The "Hill Country Retreat" image posted by Dar Eckert is a great example of great use of color and texture. The combination in that picture is right on the money. Grays/Browns/and some great lighting adds up to the lake house on Golden Pond....................!

great x 3

I would still Fatten up the posts ad railing, Change the walk shape , maybe add some boxwood around walk..

or look close at this detail... see the small 45 braces .. and top trim .. maybe do a bigger 45 brace

Need some more landscaping out there! Maybe a tree in that dirt spot in the front yard with concrete curbing around it!

Here's something for the porch after everything else is completed...

Curb appeal is an interesting thing…it draws people in. It gets them excited. It makes them want to learn more about the inside of the home. Curb appeal is where it’s at and I truly believe there are very minor things to do to pretty much every house to increase their curb appeal significantly. You obviously recognized the major design “flaw” (at least in terms of aesthetics) which would be the tiny columns on the front porch. Instead of just increasing them a little bit with PT lumber, I would increase them dramatically. I would get them furred out to about 16”-18” (refer to my rendering). I would just wrap them with bricks to match the brick of the fireplace – this will make the exterior more homogenous. Since you will just be wrapping the structural columns (the brick won’t be doing anything but looking good), I would attach sconces to each one as shown. You wouldn’t have to worry about electrical because they sell solar-powered sconces. Then I’d add some landscaping to accentuate the rhythm of the columns. Pick a plant or shrub you like and buy about 7 of them and place them as I’ve shown. These very simple things will change your house dramatically and for hardly any cash. All of these things can be DIY on a weekend with some buddies and some beer and pizza. I wouldn't go nuts with the landscaping though...there is something to be said for a nice green lawn like the one you have...very clean and simple. Remember less is more. Good luck! :)

Curb Appeal I feel is # ONE, it takes very little to add appeal there are many things you can do on a small budget , to draw people in .. everyone wants to have the nicest home on the block.... all homes are just boxes it's how you dress them up !!! cal Elite Designs Unlimited.biz today!!!

I would suggest that you paint the house white so that you will have more contrast between the siding and roof color. Since you have the brownish-colored roof, I would suggest you paint the shutters to match. I do like the long shutters and the colonial panels under the windows, and I would keep this arrangement -- just paint the shutters to match the roof. I agree with beefing up the columns, but you should place them so that they will frame the windows and the doorway and not block anything. I had 11-inch square columns with three-inch high square solid wood capitals (13 inches square) at the top and an identical base at the bottom and really loved them. Each column was made from four 12" x 1" boards nailed together and set on the base as described above. A good carpenter can show you how to make the square columns by overlapping the edges of two boards on each side.

In my post above, I meant that you should downsize from six columns to four columns, with one column on each side of each window. This would give ample space between the two center columns that flank the door and would eliminate the columns that blocked the view of the windows and the view from inside the house.

Come on, the question is two years old. I think you can let it go.