Hello seattlesue !

I'm in Seattle too! With that being said, crafstman style wood would fit more into the whole PNW vibe. It also allows you a little leeway if you ever decide to do a fence, planters or a deck it'd be easier to match the wood & less expensive to build.

Regarding the style - you're house doesn't seem to have any predominant style. That gives you an opportunity for the entry of your house to be the focal point.

Hope that helps! The neighborhood is booming - great time to decide to upgrade your house. We give every project a free 15 min. analysis - hit us up!

Thanks,

-frank

Is there stone anywhere else on the exterior of your home?

Its a beautiful entry and I like the way the arch matches the garage doors. Because it is so heavy it does seem to block the view of the door rather than draw the eye in. I can see how the same design in a lighter building material could be a plus.

My vote is for wood and a more open style. If you do so I would change out lighting on garage and elsewhere to harmonize with the more craftsman look. Would paint that vertical trim piece near window the same color as house and think about a pretty rain chain in place of existing downspout.

IMO the entry overwhelms the house and so first get a design for something a lot less pretentious.This home does not read craftsman to me without spending $$$$$ to make it something it will never be.While you are at it remove those huge bushes that are hiding 1/2 the house.

Thanks everyone for the input! We don't have stone anywhere else on the house although we do have a small rock retaining wall along the driveway. The chimney is the grayish brick that's presently on the entry.

It seems the consensus is to simplify the design and open it up. I like that it was pointed out that it would be good to keep the arch the same as the arch on our garage. If we use wood, is it fairly easy to keep up? I can't see us sanding and varnishing every year.

I like your porch the way it is! It suits the rest of the house. If you want to change to Craftsman style, it will be big dollars because there's a lot to change. If this were my Design Dilemma I would repair the porch so it's structurally sound, pull out the overgrown shrubs, straighten out the odd arch over the garage doors and replace the garage doors with carriage doors. Better landscaping would also do a world of good as well as a new front door. I think a nice fibreglass wood door would work well with your warm greys and beiges. And no maintenance!

The roof on your home seems more prairie style—similar to the roof on our house in Washougal, WA. Wood would look great!

Is the concrete stoop also being replaced? What about the little hip roof?

From what I can see I would use stone. Yes wood will be maintenance and not look as good as stone. You have a lush green front that will work well with stone and work with your rock retaining wall. I wqould definitely keep your covered entry! Send pics of your finished project. Best wishes!

Thanks for the picture ideas! The roof will stay as it is, covering the entry. We will be replacing the concrete stoop and walkway. I would love suggestions on that too.