Okay, this I have never seen. Is that the fireplace (chimney) over the garage?

If it is and if it is not, you might as well make it a focal point. It is in your face, so to speak.

I would get LARGE house numbers and put them there.

Paint the door a deep color as suggested above. Use stone in the same color tone as the house paint along the driveway (retaining wall)

Maybe it's just me, but I would leave the garage door alone. Let it blend in with the house.

Landscape with hosta, cheap and easy to care for along the retaining wall. Large leaf Green and White hostas.

One more thing. New mail box. ;-)

Something like this.

If that boxed in chimney is for a woodstove, remove it and repair the front of the house.

A good session with a high pressure hose on the roof and driveway will make a world of difference. You need to address the cracked concrete along the edge of the driveway - could you add edging or paving? Also, the horizontal beam going across the top of the garage door looks to me like it is dipping a bit - not sure, maybe its just an illusion because of the bottom edge of the chimney. Is this just trim? Hope it is not structural! Anyway, I'd look to replacing this part of your garage door, even if you don't fix anything else.

We just purchased a "contemporary throwback" too....
They are challenging!
Power wash, get lawn in shape w/fresh landscaping (makes a HUGE difference)
*paint budget: white rails, tone them down & paint door
*paint $$: change colors completely, paint entire house & rail
Budget:paint door
$$: replace door with stained or painted door that fits style of home aka no half moon window, check out contemporary photos on houzz
Yes replace mailbox. :)

I would get a new front door. The arched window does not go with house style ;) I would also paint the house grey. I would replace the driveway as well.

Paint the whole house a different color (including the garage door) so everyone knows you are there and adding your own touches to the house. New front door, as stated above half moon doesn't go with house.
Painted in a "new" color as suggested.
Paint railing same "new" color as house. Landscape as suggested above.
p.s. Love your new home.

Hi...I would paint the house BM Gray Owl trim included. The front door and stair railing, side deck railing BM Bone Black.. The large house numbers vertically on the wood panel between the window and the front door, on the left.
If you can change the door without the moon that wood help....definitely new mailbox.

I actually like this house! The entire thing needs TLC, but can be done in phases. I'd rather do one project correctly, then tackle the entire thing on a tight budget.

I love this house! As mentioned above, a good power washing of the driveway and roof would do a world of good. I like the color of the house, but might consider a darker color on ALL of the trim, including the side deck and a NEW front door .I like the idea of house numbers on the chimney. I would landscape around a NEW mailbox, carrying the new bed up the driveway a bit to camouflage the uneven concrete. If the garage door is on the list to replace, I would keep it the same color as the house, but replace it with something that has windows. Some nice draperies, table and lamp in the large window would warm it up a bit, too. If and when it is in the budget, I would have the whole yard re-landscaped. This is a diamond in the rough and with a little TLC, it will sparkle again!

I like your home. Some have suggested already. Love the color of the home,

Tight budget.
- color could be freshened or not, according to budget
- accent in more white trim, fascia and the entire clapboard designed areas
- replace the header above garage door, keep the door the color of the home.
- remove the hedges on the left side of steps, plant a random green and floral garden, leave some open areas, use bark or nothing
- paint the gutters the same overall color
- an overhang at the door
- new door, paint the door deep red, maybe maroon or possibly plum
- landscape an area bed just left of the entrance to feel inviting. Some flowers
- landscape some of the space near the driveway
- at driveway, planter border 4' 6' wide of evergreens and bushes, a few flowering plants and low ground cover between
- ground cover everywhere else on the lawn, no mowing, here and there, will take over eventually
- simple large sign (house number) in it's own circular bed at the front of the driveway with a new mailbox, flowers and evergreens
- potted plants on the back patio, seen from the road

Later..
- areas of raised or flat beds in a few places within the lawn, ferns and bushes, a couple of trees
- fountain
- park bench under a tree
- a low wall at the driveway edge
- patio cover (open or solid) at the garage door to balance the fireplace

Another option for your home regarding the chimney. Instead of patio cover at the garage, at the left and right sides of the fireplace, maybe extend a build, in a little less depth as the chimney and run it all acrossed the garage. It will provide a foundation for the chimney. Build a hollow build out (rectangular as a fake facade). Trim clapboard in a horizontal design to cover. I think it will appear as original to the home. An architectural feature and adds dimension.

Wow, you are being ignore - did you notice?

What is left to say. Bizarre? Striking? no Unique!

Actually I like it not being like the rest of the homes on the street.

Since we are having a discussion, one sided, which I prefer, I will tell you what I suggest.

a. Build a wraparound postal box enclosure to match the house, exactly, and add a post lamp to illuminate it and your entry walk. Maybe a larger box for all your neighborhood envy hate mail.

b. Bring a walk across the lawn (is that a lawn) to the left of the large maple?, oak?, the large front tree, through the little garden area? over to the front steps.

c. Stop pruning the little evergreens at the bottom of the main staircase.

Love the house. You are unique and so is your house, show some pride.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com

A little late with the suggestions Cascio = August 2013, yes 2013 post.