Take a picture from across the street so we can see how the front relates to the street. I'm not a builder or architect but the wall you are proposing to take down is a load bearing outside wall of the house. The porch looks like it was originally an open porch so that would have to be rebuilt. What is your budget?

I would go with overhang, to create small porch.

Here is some rough idea

From your photos it is hard to tell how much room you have for the stairs to come straight out. If you measure the width of your stone wall, that's how much room your stairs would take when rotated 90-degrees. Personally, I would keep the stairs as they are. I agree with jck910 that the wall you would like to move is likely supporting the house, so very expensive to move.

make a list of things you want from a remodel.

Will I gain space for something I don't already have?

Will it look like an improvement I can live with...forever?

How much am I willing to spend?

Find images/photos of ideas, pinterest, magazines, neighbors homes, etc.

Get in touch with an architect and share your thoughts.

if you like what they propose, find a builder. It's a process.

I'd consider changing the siding to a dark gray/charcoal board and batten for the front. I think it would blend nicely with your rugged stairway. You could also use color blocking to define spaces in a more modern way. I'd spend less $$ on changing the exterior wall except maybe to redo the porch and more on design. See if you can find a good architect or designer to help with your vision..

Zipper House · More Info

Thank you everyone for your notes! I took a picture from the street so you can see how much space we have in front. Plenty of room to come out with stairs. There is a driveway on the left (covered in snow) that we are fine getting rid of if needed - and then the main driveway is on the right in front of the garage. Also attaching a couple photos from when we bought the house. The main reason I'm looking to push out that main wall is so our entry door doesn't open up RIGHT into the stairs. There is no space when you come in the front door! Right now it's fine b/c we have the porch to remove the shoes, but this wouldn't work if we improved the porch and kept that b/c we'd have to come inside with shoes, etc.

Maybe add a wrap around deck with stairs on the right? I can see why you don’t like their current position! Bringing in the groceries must be quite a chore!

A simpler idea than bumping out the wall would be to winterize the porch, and use it as an entry foyer. You would still walk into the stairs upon entering the main house, but you would have room to remove shoes, hang up coats, a drop zone, etc. if done well.

Are you sure that door didnt originally come into the area where your table and two chairs are. That looks like it once could have been a main foyer. If you have another place for a table, I would put that back into being a nice foyer. Some one has changed out the arch way there at one time too.

Don’t remuddle your house. Just open the porch and add a railing that stands out a lot more than that iron railing. Simile to your indoor staircase railing. Take inspiration from other original items...that’s how you remodel a historical home

I think the best curb appeal you could get would be to coordinate the siding color to a warmer tone that works better with the stone you have.

Balsam Lake 1 · More Info

Yes def choose a paint to coordinate w the stones. Btw I meant a railing like the one you have but all white so it stands out. Anyways regarding the paint, you could go two ways: 1) a warmer tone to “blend” with the stones or 2) a richer blue tone to compliment the stone but contrast. Personally I’d do the richer blue color. Also IMO the shutters fit the look of your home beautifully. I'd keep them.

This sort of what I would do.

Slight changes to J D's proposal: