Beautiful home! Classic ranch architecture, but I understand that you want your guests to have more of a sense of arrival. However, a portico could interfere with the long horizontal sweep that is the key design element. I call this a "boomerang" -- I have a sofa this shape from the late 1960's -- worth more today than when it was custom made! It fits a rectangle, and creates interesting shapes in front and in back for sofa tables, end tables, coffee tables. Your house also does the same thing -- it creates interesting places around the house for different purposes. Between the two angles, the purpose of the house is to welcome your friends and family, as well as to indicate the front door -- but I think as long as it is at the point where the two lines meet -- no one will have any difficulty -- the updates for the surface treatments were solid, and in keeping with the time period, as well as an appropriate update. My concern is that any portico is going to divide this period-appropriate horizontal line, and the irregular outdoor space that is created -- and would somehow make these classic proportions seem more unbalanced than they were intended to be. As an alternative, I would consider changing the scale of your design elements as you approach the house -- small at the edge to large in the middle, sliding back to medium and small as you approach the front door. Perhaps staging the driveway with plantings, that would merge into a low wall or more landscaping that doesn't hide the house, but creates a front garden that allows a leisurely change of scale [car/road to walk] and focus on the front door -- so that you are bringing people to the front garden first, -- and then from the garden to the entrance to the home. This creates a sense of exploration, welcome, and surprise. You have a lot of land to play with, and you know you are moving in the right direction -- pun intended -- towards the house -- but finding the front door -- that can wait until you get closer to the goal. This is just another way to look at the design issues. Your house is a classic, and it doesn't need to look like anything other than itself. The other "Neo-whatevers" will look dated in time -- but your house, I hope, will always be there.

Hi suki52! Firstly, I am in love with your new kitchen! It's really gorgeous! What about a very pale green with blue undertones, like taking your family room wall color and just making it a lot lighter? In that vein, I think a color like BM's Sweet Dreams would be a good option. For the backsplash, we carry a line of tiles called Matchstix that have a very thin, linear shape, that I think would look amazing in your kitchen. We carry these tiles in a variety of colors, but for this space I think our light Oyster Gray would be perfect. Just some ideas for you, good luck with your remodel, you're doing an amazing job!

Hi, Sandy. Lots of photos to help you build an ideabook are available above by using searchterms like media storage, coffered ceiling, etc. you will even find STORIES has articles on how to arrange furniture, choose the right size rug - you name it. Throw a question this way if you get stuck. Happy Houzzing.

All my outside lights are controlled by a dusk dawn sensor, with a Manual override for Halloween. I also have outside outlets on the same circuit for Christmas lights. Outlets in bookcases Outlets inside pantry cabinets All walk in closets and pantries have overhead lights on jamb switches so you never accidentally leave the light on