I wish we could. It is the door that’s off but unfortunately it can’t move. Thank you!

"Why would anyone design a home like this is beyond me." Because the deep overhang / columns / shutters and entry pediment mimic (poorly) the idea of a "stately home". Sadly, these unfortunate renditions appealed to many buyers. Given time, and funds, I'm sure you will succeed in mitigating these issues.

If you investing 500k into a home may be a better column placement will help. Speak to your architect who designed your addition and see if they can be moved around.

I grew up in Europe so these architectural embellishments that mix styles make my eyes twitch. I see these over the top designs inside and out of homes in US and I’m often confused why so many builders make these designs mistakes unless it’s really purposeful? I’m a less can be more kind of person. Asymmetry can be beautiful when balanced, this isn’t it. My preference leans more bauhaus so this drives me nuts. Thanks for the encouragement.

Sorry for all my typos. I don’t type the best on my phone.

Making it into either a house with a balcony front or no porch at all could be fantastic if you wanted to get estimates from your contractor for those and if you do a balcony then convert window or two to French doors

This was a similar home where they removed the columns and added an enclosed sleeping porch across the front of the home.

It looks like your home is a raised ranch that someone tried to turn into a colonial. It doesn't work because if you folded the house down the middle at the front door, the windows on either side aren't symmetrical at all (so no columns across the front will ever work in convincing anyone it's a colonial). If you're completing such a large renovation, it might be good to research "raised ranch exterior makeovers" - lots of folks have managed to turn these homes into more traditional or more contemporary versions of themselves with decent results. It's highly likely that any solution will involve removing those columns and covered porch altogether, and embracing the asymmetry vs. trying to pretend it isn't there.

It probably wouldn't be inexpensive (!), but if you wanted something more modern/contemporary, this is an example that would work for your house potentially with the porch removed: https://www.houzz.com/photos/house-at-dusk-contemporary-exterior-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1068747

Eliminate the side light on the front door and some of the windows.

What a tough facade problem.

Since you said above “my preference leans more bauhaus so this drives me nuts” you could look in that direction at some of the early modern facades.

If this was my own though I would probably look at color and material choices used strategically like in the 2 examples below. One has similar columns that could not be easily removed. Both use dark colors to hide and wood accents for warmth. Neither changes the house design just skin-only facelift.

My suggestion would be to remove the shutters and keep the columns where they are. White wash or paint the brick to be white to help the columns visually disappear. Purchase a new black light fixture longer in length and move it from the right facing side of door to the left facing side. Underneath it use a tall black planter with something a big fern or eye-catching planting. This will help to balance the door and create more proportion between the two middle columns.
Painting the exterior does cost, but depending on your DIY skills may be something you can tackle yourself. You could try removing the shutters, moving the light and adding the planter before painting and see if that helps if painting isn't in the budget.

The white columns are the brightest and largest things at the front of your house. Remove the white shutters and the trim above the door. Camouflage the columns by painting them a dull brown/gray.

Add landscaping to the front of the house. Even the boring shrubs I show here will give you something to look at, but I suggest a mix of evergreens. Add bulbs and annuals in front of them.

Replace the door with one that has a wide side-lite on the right, and give it a colour that draws the eye. Blue would complement your brick, which I see no reason to paint.

Agree with partim, and judicious landscape placement can help with the irregularities. Smaller ornamental trees like dogwood, redbud and Japanese maples placed strategically can offset the imbalances and draw attention away from the malformed facade.

I have kind of opposite approach. I woukd put white stain on brick to minimize the contrast and keep columns white but do improve front beds by widening and curving beds adding varying height plant materials and seasonal flowers. Vary greenery too. Put a pair of distinctive trees either side out in front yard to add to interest and trick the eye to think things are more symmetrical than they are.

While these homes are different styles than yours note how the white background of house makes columns much less visually distracting.

I would push the walls out to the column, as shown in @bev and @myric photos. Or, make all white, as @flo suggested.

The idea of painting the brick white seems to be your best option (other than the sleeping porch but I think that won’t work architecturally with your house). Landscaping, as Flo said, will take everyone’s eyes away from the problem.

Painting the house white is probably the best approach. Unfortunately we can’t really push out the front of the house or do a balcony because the home is a split level and the door is between two floors. The split level introduces its own challenges.

Since the house is asymmetrical and you are going to modernize it, embrace the asymmetricality instead of fighting it. I think the Bauhaus architects would approve. Since you are going to paint it, colour block it to make it interesting and erase the colonial vibe entirely. Lots of Bauhaus architecture has columns and colour blocking.

Or consider painting it gray vs white. The white + columns still looks colonial.

Yes, this is what I’m leaning towards. I’m just not sure we can pull it off. Fingers crossed

Nice cd7733- i like the idea of framing the entry door with columns. I would want a structural engineer to verify that being enough support though. You could add two more, one on each side. Hard to see how this facade can convert to the style you are seeking. Perhaps with some creative porch and yard changes you can lean that way but it might just look too “muddled”.

Having said that, if you have a budget that could handle, here is a “concept”. I think this is cool! Stain brick (hard to depict in a mock up, but you get the idea). Change entry doors to modern glass and black trim. Use large paver/cement walkways to surround long low wall that will repeat length of house and bring a modern look. Cream or white. A stone that coordinates with the white stained brick. Place slabs for walking around this feature and up to porch. Long similar planters at edge of porch. Fill in with sod and keep everything simple. I would add black tube lighting either side of new front doors or get landscape spots that highlight front door. Do not light columns. Keep them visually silent.

I cut and pasted elements to create the concept. What do you think?

This would work beautifully. I have asked about this option and will seek guidance again. The initial assessment is we would not be about to remove two of them based on the structural load.

I wonder if you could double them or add beam to add strength? In other words two columns about 8” apart. Rather than single ones spread out?

There must be a way. I’m going to keep pushing to see how we can push it more center.

I do think that once you stain brick, the columns will be reduced in impact. I would deal with brick and front doors first. It will really change your perspective and probably save you a ton of money!!

I agree! Thank you

Agree with what Flo said, except I'd also do the landscaping before spending any effort on the columns.

We actually already started landscaping with a front approach like you’ve suggested. Our designers all agreed it will help with whatever final look we go with.

How exciting amwellein! Be sure to post “progress” photos!!

I will

Find a framer, have them remove the columns and put a more substantial lvl beam beneath the overhang so that you can have more leeway on the post positioning. If you desire minimum downhang visibility use a steel I beam. It can All be wrapped attractively and minimize the number of posts necessary. Of course the concrete will need work after removal of the old.

I am having the same issue with my columns! Please send pics of what you decide to do. My neighbor had a similar look to yours and they we able to cut the columns off and put craftsmen style brackets and then added a portico that pullout 5 ft. it looks amazing.... i'll see if I can get a picture for you. But for now here's my column problem....

Good news on our columns, they are completely non structural. We had an assessment today. They unwrapped a few of the post and are empty inside. Now we have lots of great options.

please share the ideas and options you now have. we got conformation our columns are not load bearing or structural as well but still having a hard time deciding what to do.

Your columns certainly don’t look structural which is nice. I think you could easily remove them but you would lose the overhang. Not sure you need it though.
I will make sure to post photos of our progress.

Great news for you, @amwellein!

FYI - I added your initial photo at the top of my comment to make it easier for everyone to see the ”before/after” without needing to scroll back to the top.

I am so happy that you came back and posted what you decided to do! I wish more people would do that on Houzz! You’ve really changed the entire look of your home!

I love the new walkway to the sidewalk. Did you use bluestone?

Everything that you’ve done really looks very nice!

I don’t know why I can’t easily tag people anymore - very annoying -

Flo Mangan - your suggestion re: using a white background was a perfect solution! Another example of how much value professional designers add to projects!

AMAZING transformation! @Flo Mangan was right - making the house white and leaning into “modern” did the trick. It looks startling - in a good way! The new front door is a winner. The wood gives warmth to the b&w theme.

You must be thrilled. Enjoy.

Looks very nice! Good work!

WOW! WELL. DONE. Yours will be the example that others will aspire to accomplish!

Thank you so much for all the feedback and help. We did use blue stone for the walkway. I need to replace some plants that died but overall, I’m very happy witbe look,

Fantastic transformation ! The Houzzers presented options & you’ve pulled it together. You must be well pleased.

What a vast improvement! I love the window replacements, and the walkway, and how you managed the column issue! Very well done! It looks like a completely different house. Thank you for sharing!

Your blue stone walkway is genius! Well done. Bet the neighbors are white with envy!! lol.

Thank you everyone. This has been a great community. I remodeled the entire house down to the studs and added an addition in the back as well with a garage a main bed and bath. Still some work in process but I will be sure to post some more photos when I finalize the landscaping in the front. Thank you again. I was happy to implement some of the great ideas from this group. The neighbors I think were unsure what I was doing at first, but once completed, everyone seemed impressed with the final outcome.

Stunning transformation! Thanks for posting the before and after photos.