Looks very nice! I would suggest also that you change out the light and the mailbox to match the metal on the new door. I think I would find a door in the same line as your new one, without windows, perhaps, and install it. I think wrought iron would make it look uninviting and detract from your update.

I wish you had posted your delimma before you replaced the front door. I don’t mean to be nasty, but that front door is awful. A one piece install, phony leaded glass windows which pretend to be Victorian (which you home is not).

Addressing the garage door entry: add an evergreen climber.

I apologize. There was no need for me to comment on your front door.

Thinking the entire side of the garage should have a climber. It would make a wonderful “drapery” effect.

So what's your Dilemma question?

The dilemma is covering the garage entrance doorway with something that would compliment the entrance door to our home.

Is this the before pic?

More snarky comments from designers. A question was asked about a door, instead of answering that question a suggestion to rip out a newly installed door that was obviously installed because the owner liked it. We can choose things we like just because they make us happy. Walking through a front door you like everyday makes Sen if it makes you happy.

Sorry, but the OP listed all the things they'd already done, but didn't ask a question. I still don't know what her Dilemma is.

PENNYCOLLINS: so what is your solution? Or dto you just troll around because you have nothing to offer?

It is hard to know for sure without seeing the house front. My thought would be to cover both side walls with white board (like what is under the front window. Then perhaps paint the brick next to the door white. Put in a nice paver floor. Add some big planter in the left corner. I agree a new light and mailbox would be lovely.

That front door doesnot suit the house and we would need to see the whole house to have any idea what to do with the garage door. I can’t imagine wrought iron with the house as I see it. I don’t apologize for my comment about the door sorry.

Judy, the idea of a climber appeals to me, the doorway to the garage gets no sunlight whereas the entrance door lets in the early morning sun right to the far side of the house.

I like Judy's idea for that wall as well. It doesn't solve the garage door problem, but it does look like it would improve that large expanse of brick that is part of the entrance

The door is a saccharine disaster, quite out of keeping with the house. Replace the current light fixture with a larger one, or - better yet - hang a large lantern from the arched roof.

I like the idea of painting the garage door to blend in with house and add a bench to the left of the door with a plant.

Changes to the outside of a house are difficult for me. It's all very public and visible. If I'm making changes -- particularly semi-permanent changes -- I will often run them past several trusted friends first. If I'm still unsure, a designer is a good option before making big changes.

Understanding architectural styles and vocabulary is important. And it's very important when dealing with an older home that has a particular style. One of the things that I do is look for examples in homes of similar design and age as the one I'm working on. I also talk to a friend that has architectural training to understand some of the style vocabulary of a certain period or time.

That said, I don't think it's helpful to be mean about the choices that were made here. The entry is installed -- a redo isn't a thing. Help the OP tie it together.

I say go with Jake the wonder dog and Judy G designs! Grow some confederate jasmine on the wall to the left of the entryway. it will not cover the door but it will divert you eye. and add a bench.

S

ince your front porch is a little dark some cast iron plant in planters would be nice.

What about painting both the front door and the unused side garage door black, but having the garage door a mirrored french type door. Think of the light it would reflect into the entry way.

Thank you all for your ideas. I have imported the photo into Sketch-Up Make so I can draw different ideas over the existing left wall. The idea of a climber I like but the climate here north

of Lake Ontario may be a bit harsh. It's a pity the entrance door isn't centred on the porch I know.

We added the curved roof to get rid of an eavestrough that caused large icicles over the porch

in the winter, the house faces east & we had a freeze/thaw situation.

Hi Kenneth,

It's fine that the door isn't centered - but it would make it more balanced to have something like a bench or a bench and a planter on the left.

I like the bench and pots ideas above. i saw something like these on TV and it facinated me, as somthing for an area that doesn't get enough sun.

A tall plant standing left of that door may be all that is necessary to camouflage it.

A cute bistro table and a window box with flowers attached to the garage door with greens in white bows in winter would completely transform your entry. I would paint the ceiling sky blue too for added distracting factor to the entry. The blue ceiling will also reduce or eliminate insects from nesting in the porch area in summer! This is a garden door. You could paint your garage door white and sand off edges to reveal the brown for a slightly antiqued look. But a blue flower box to match the blue ceiling. So fun.

One more thing. Avoid climbing vines on your brick. It will create damage to your cement joints.

Rough mock up. Blue on ceiling should be more sky blue but hard to paint curved ceiling!!

Some inspirational photos with proper blue porch ceilings.

I think painting door similar to brick and placing a pot with a climber similar to what you have, put another one in front of door. I can see a lovely big pendant light fixture coming from that arched ceiling

I’d paint the door and trim as similar to the brick as possible, and then maybe a bench or pots in front of it. A decorative panel might add too much emphasis when the front door should be the thing you notice first

Hello Flo: Blue ceiling should look white, just like the door.

Personal choice Kenneth. But if one is trying to distract the eye and eliminate mud dabbers and other stinging insects, the light blue ceiling is a very good solution.