Your question is confusing: what direction do want to go in; Intermediate or English Garden?

Where are you planning to add downstairs window and what style?

When I look at the photo, I notice how the walkway stones are competing visually with the driveway stones.

I’m going to remove the pavers in the lawn and go for a more clean look. The driveway will need to stay the same for cost reasons. We would add the window directly below the two windows on the second story. I talked my husband out of an arch window because it would compete with the balcony and would not flow at all.

I want to be intermediate and bring the home back to blend with the neighborhood but still maintain some character and charm. I’m like symmetry so not fond of an English garden. Visually it always looks overgrown compared to a French garden.

I want clean lines. The balcony competes with the arch where the door is. It’s an eye sore to me so just trying to see what I can do to mitigate this. We are doing some other interior renovations and additions so trying to keep it within budget also. Hope that makes sense.

Can you post a photo taken when the sun is shining on the front of the house? I find it hard to see.

See here!

The foliage covers where we would put the window in the photo. Currently we are in the process of removing it.

Not great photos but let me know what your thoughts are!

Agreed, remove the balcony and the door and put in windows which compliment the windows to the right.

I personally do not like the 1/2 circle window on the front door at all so I would switch that out with a statement door. Meaning, pick a new door that screams the style that you LOVE so that it becomes the inspiration for design choices as you move along.

How much, on average in Southern California can I expect to pay to remove the balcony? I’ve been able to easily research costs to add a window, but not remove the balcony.