Still looking at options for the left side of the house but some options for the entry area to the garage...cedar side with black trim and doors black framed frosted glass. Inspos below. I would also paint the trim of your windows on the left black

Thank you for the inspiration photos. I love wood and black together. if you were going to use cedar siding, would it cover the front of the brick around the garage door and around the sides up to the front door?

I also like the idea of painting the window trim black. Is there any special prep required to do that?

I would do the front around the garage the wall connecting the garage to the front door and around the front door. Can you post some pictures closer up on the entry area. Also need to look for some nice large sleek lights for the house as well so more on that.

What kind of windows and frames are they?

if you didn't want to cover the brick then around the door and the sides of the entrance area.

Not sure if the budget etc but once you can post pictures of the entrance area that will help figure all that out.

I've attached some closer pictures. That's a good idea for the entryway if the prices came back high (the price of wood these days!).

garage side light ideas

Cedar soffits may do the trick. taking out the storm door entrance and putting cedar posts down each side and a beam across the top with the black/ frosted door behind would look great.

Your side beams would need to be thinner than the inspo. Or just a beam across there would have some local look at what that install would be if possible with the existing structure. if you can remove the side window at the front door and do a wider door to fill that space.

Looking at light options for the front door over head but thinking something like this on each side to bring the light in there at night but would need to see these first to confirm so let me think on that as well

Only seeing partials of it in the pictures but is that a beveled glass skylight in the front eave?

I like the idea of the columns and beams too. very interesting! And yes possibly the soffits could work as well.

Yes, we do have a skylight, plain glass, in our front entryway.

If there were a courtyard in the front would you envision using it?

No, I don't think we would use a front courtyard. Our street is on the busier side, and we have a nice backyard to sit in.

For the left side, on too of what you already noted, some small shrubs to line the sides of the driveway and some up lighting on tress and landscape lighting.

This with the new door for the front and garage and new lights and cedar soffits and entrance should make a huge difference.

Would definitely replace the existing garage door with one with more architectural interest - primarily one with lites (windows). It's amazing how much difference lites make in a garage door. It really adds depth to what is otherwise a flat and boring fascade. Good luck!

sorry forgot to include the lighting inspo for you

What BeverlyFLADeziner said above!

Thank you Lisa for the inspiration lighting and all your ideas.

Thank you Beverly, that is another interesting idea. That wasn't initially what I was thinking but I think your mock up looks great. I love the wall mounted pergola. And the framing on the windows is a nice touch along with the shape of the landscaping. Do you know how you would typically overframe windows on brick? I haven't seen this alot.

What front door do you think you would use with this design scheme - I am thinking the fir door may still look nice. The door I was initially looking at is below.

And we have to replace the eaves/soffits anyway so do you think black for both would complement this idea?

That door would be a good choice. Use Alzek PVC for trim. I think it would be applied to the brick with glue.

https://azekexteriors.com/products/moulding/casings

Your house is charming and I am puzzled that you think it needs more architectural interest.

It mostly just needs landscaping.

I like the image Beverly posted above.