Congratulations! Where is it located? Region matters. Is this a primary or vacation home? Is that concrete covering the front yard?? I feel like you could do a lot better than "built in 2018" -there is so much crap out there. Hire an architect for sure. Take inspiration from your natural surroundings, not houses/features of houses that you like that won't make the most of or work with your beautiful setting. My gut tells me hardiplank clapboard is all wrong, how about board-and-batten or shingles instead?

i have a lake house with a screened porch and I am baffled by the urge many have to glass theirs in or turn them in to interior rooms. There is no greater joy than a game of cribbage and a glass of beer on a screened porch, an experience not even remotely approximated by being in a glass room with the windows open. If you want to use it for longer install a wood stove out there and wear a sweater! In my experience "three season" rooms are actually only used during one season, if at all.

This is one of my favorites on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-tour-a-peaceful-lake-house-rises-from-the-rubble-stsetivw-vs~25748021

Thank you. What do you think about adding a metal awning to the first floor window? What else do you suggest could be done to make our house look less dated?

If you want to use the inspiration photo and basically add a large entry on to the house, forget the awning. If the sun is an issue, consider changing your window treatments. You might like to paint your house a different color, such as a pretty blue to reflect your surroundings. Consider hiring an architect who may give you some ideas you never thought of.

After you get your entry completed, the component that will enhance your curb appeal the most is great landscaping. All I see now is a slab of bland concrete. Work with a good landscape architect on this. I see so many people try to do it on their own and the end product is sub-par. Landscaping can increase the value of your home by up to 20%. Best wishes!

Colonialgp, we are actually meeting with a builder on Thursday. He is highly regarded in our area. I am fairly certain he will recommend an architect if we need one. This has crossed my mind as well...to inquire if he can draft or if hiring a drafter is the place to start. Although our addition will be small-ish, we want it to be well-designed. Also, we are definitely replacing the vinyl with a painted hardie plank siding. Considering a light moss green...

S Reams, we are pretty much stuck with the concrete as having it broken up would be too costly. And to be honest, we enjoy not having to maintain too much on the street side of our home. However, I agree 100% we need some vegetation! We want the front to look as beautiful as the lake side of our home! Do you think placing very large planters against the house would help for now? Planters similar to these:

A pergola across the front on either side of the portico would add a cottage feel. This isn't the right photo, but a pergola on which you could grow climbing roses or wisteria would enhance give the feeling of a cottage and eventually add dappled shade. If you're planning to work with a landscape designer, this might be worked into a plan.

Another.

i would aim for 'classic vernacular' (that is, whatever is considered classic where the house is) for a look at will NEVER need to be updated again. or in 10 years you'll be fighting the same issue again.

housegal's photo would work where our vacation home is (coastal new england) but maybe not for yours. anyway i'd urge you to drive around (or look at real estate listings for the area where your house is) and see what houses look like that look "right" not "brand new".

Housegal200,

The house needs help so badly and I really like this idea, especially picture #2. Beautiful! How do you think this would this look over concrete though? The homes in your pictures have flower beds...

I don't like the awning idea either - but how about adding a pent roof across the front to connect the two ends if the main roof? Maybe in combination with a different entry to add the vestibule.

I think that concrete has a purpose. And I’m wondering if something more attractive could be done with it. Maybe stain some of it to look like stone work or maybe even ground cover if you can find someone talented.

Dennisgli,

Thank you kindly for your suggestion. Would you be able to post an example photo?

Perhaps a treatment for the cement like this:

Saratogaswizzlestick, that would look great. I plan on inquiring about this to my builder. Thank you.

Thank you for all your excellent advice. If I may ask another question...

Since we will be replacing our windows, would bumping out the first floor window (located in master bathroom over the tub) add to the look of the house?

Dennisgli,

Thank you kindly for your suggestion. Would you be able to post an example photo?

I couldn't find a good photo - but there is some info here:

• Pent Roofs -- An Endangered Species

Just picture extending the lower roof line on the left across the house to the one on the right.

I like your idea of bumping out the windows and adding a roof over them - maybe you could combine the two.

Smilen-no one feature such as a metal roof (I like metal roofs) will make a difference here. Without an overall plan, it will look like a Frankenstein house: pieces of ideas pasted on to worse effect than the sum

...of their parts. Builders, even highly regarded ones, are famous for this. You tell them you want a metal roof, they give you a metal roof. They're not going to give you a vision for the entire house. I really recommend you find someone whose work you admire to help you make this in to a timeless, restful lake house. It is worth it!