Gorgeous! I'm jealous - you have such great material to work with!

Lovely home! I'm also jealous of you! I hope you will post updates of all your projects. Good luck on your exciting adventure!

looks great

Thanks all! This is my first experiment with the Houzz discussion boards, so I'm still getting the hang of it. One of the first projects involved reclaiming the front door of the home. It had been consumed for decades by HUGE American Boxwoods. After consulting with a landscaper as to the best way to promote healthy plants in the future, we gave the bushes a dramatic haircut. My father, who grew up in the house, taught my 9 year old how to play step ball (once we actually uncovered the front steps!!). He was thrilled that after nearly sixty years, he scored a home run on his first try. Just the first of many memories we home to create in our family home!

What a beautiful home!

Would you ever consider painting your front door red? And adding black shutters to the windows on the left as well?

Beautiful home! Best of luck!

How wonderful! Make sure to have the front door pop with color!

The reason the shutters one side of the door where missing was because we were having a new pair milled. They are installed now and symmetry is restored (and my inner Virgo is much happier!). After removing three layers of shingles plus what was left of the original cedar shake, our new roof is completed, as well. Most certainly will be giving a great pop of color to that front door. Red is a strong contender, but I am open to other suggestions that would work against the white and black backdrop, plus be able to be picked up in our future landscaping...

I would like to see a Green front door on that gorgeous home like chartreuse or bright like it.

What a beautiful house.

Here is a gorgeous kitchen in another Dutch Colonial restoration. I like the mix of paint and wood.


My first home was built in 1913; a hip-roof center-entrance colonial. There is nothing like an older home when it still has the great bones with which to work. The hardwood floors were peach!

Have fun.

Was the front door recessed within the main roofline at one time?

@Peyton Grissom: You should begin an "idea book" on your Houzz profile to chronicle the project! Cover all the details for other Houzzers embarking on the same thing. Did you hire an Architect? A General Contractor? How did you navigate the whole planning, design and budgeting process? Has it worked as hoped? What suggestions could you give to others to be wary of? Etc.

Would be a nice way to record all you did, plus help other Houzzers!

Peyton, your house is so beautiful. And what a wonderful story of family and heritage. What state are you in? Im so in awe of American architecture, so much history and variation. Australia, a young country by comparison has limited historic homes. I would love to keep sharing your journey with us, Houzzers.

Can't wait to see more!

Great old house. Looks like a lot of work ahead for you. Are you remodeling or restoring to original.

Wonderful project full of family history in that house, Peyton. Good luck! And LOVE the step-ball story!

Awesome!

Beautiful house! We are in the midst of renovating a 100 year old lake home. It truly is a labor of love. I will be following your progress. Good luck and enjoy!