Here's a favorite Garrison renovation of mine. I think you could do this type of roof and porch across the bump out and over to include the right wing of your home.

View from the Front · More Info

View from the Front · More Info

I like how the arches on your breezeway repeat the arch on your bay window, but if the French doors eliminate it, you could do the same for the breezeway. Would you enjoy screening in the breezeway for a place to enjoy the outdoors? You could also turn it into a 3-season room.

Exterior · More Info

Here's more of a farmhouse for with some of the same elements.

Horse Farm · More Info

1. Yes, paint and remove the shutters

2. It absolutely doesnot need to be more balanced or symmetrical.

3. It is what it is. A historical garrison would have wood pendants or drops on the corners. I would not mess with the facade of this house, it will not look "better" if you hide the garrison.

4. Not so much. See above. Unless you can spend 6 figures to rework the facade (which will decrease the character, too) I think you are fighting the architecture. And yes, trying too hard to turn it into a millennial "farmhouse" which isn't even particularly an authentic thing people can agree upon. A longer porch of the same style , maybe. Which would solve the garrison issue on the main mass. But I don't dislike garrisons.

5. Houses with multiple entries on the front just confuse people. Multiple french doors out to a patio is a back-of-the-house thing or something for a completely different house.

6. The slate floor is beautiful. No iron railing. This is a wood banister house. Unless you change the character completely on the interior as well.

You have a wonderful house with lots of pizazz. Don't turn it into a fake farmhouse look. Embrace the cool uniqueness of your house. I think palimpsest has hit it on the nose. Paint and remove shutters and install that lovely slate floor. I do think the the house will grow on you and you will be happy you kept the character.

Dear Lord, what WERE they thinking with that green?

I actually would like that green on a very small, funky urban house, but it's definitely a lot on a larger, more traditional house.

Anyway, yes, I think you should just paint and ditch the shutters.

Keep in mind, the house above is even all the way across with front door centered. The Kermit house center section does not have the door centered (is left aligned), so the arbor along the front will have a different visual effect than pictured. Also, arbor or stoop roof will block light from getting into the room with the bay window.

I didn't even think about that! you're right! I'd have to do more of a flat roof through the whole porch and leave it either an arbor or do skylights on a solid roof ...

What did you end up doing?