looks like a small cape/ cottage type.

I thin the cedar would look great w/an ebony stain

concentrate on the front landscaping/hardscape. maybe a new front door and for sure some type of path/walkway

Ah yes! a walkway is a good idea. Much needed. Thank you.

"Small cape cottage" -- So useful to have this description as a starting point for ideas and info! It's already helped a lot. The photos you posted capture a lot of possibilities. thanks again!

It's kind of a modest version of a shed style house. Not all shed style houses have skillion roofs, some have gables.

Can the shed be relocated? I find it visually distracting in that spot and competing for my attention with the door

I thought "Cape", too...loved that ebony stain somebody posted.

I've heard architects (Norman Askins, among others) talk about giving a house a story to guide your design choices. To me, this says "California nature-lovers return to the family homestead back East". The interior- the tiles, the windows, the light, the views- speaks to the West Coast; the simple, dark building says East Coast. An interesting juxtaposition, underscored by simple lines and great light. I'd go for a simple shed covering over the door or an enclosed entry (which could possibly incorporate the storage that shed is currently providing), a path to the door, and some landscaping. Great spot!

If the ebony is too dark for you a weathered gray would work too. A green undertone instead of blue would complement the natural surroundings. Great view out back!

@palimpsest - Oh yes I am looking this up, and see what you mean about shed style. The entire top floor was added on later, and I think the gables give the overall structure of the house an asymmetrical look. Aside from modern examples, the shape of "shed styles" reminds me of the buildings at this place I admire/follow called Salmon Creek Farm. Rustic, but inspiring: https://www.instagram.com/salmon_creek_farm/?hl=en

It’s like a lake house so think about soft colors on the inside, stronger color on the outside with pure white trim. I would paint the door some kind of blue as a nod to the pond.

I agree that the shed makes the front look crowded. Can you move it?

A sweet bench plus some colorful landscaping (and a walkway) will make the house even more adorable.

@WestCoast Hopeful I would love to move the shed. We don't have a lot of land that is flat - the house is built into a very steep hill, and where the shed sits right now, it's is on top of a retention wall that supports it. So i'm not sure where it would go, but maybe at minimum it can be disguised or beautified a little more.

@Esperanza Marischino - I love this idea of a story for the house as a guide. I agree that the inside feels different from the exterior. (...at least the front exterior. The back is all deck which feels more in line with the inside.) I have been drawn to making decisions for the front that "feel" like the inside, but also want to honor what's there. Finding a way to do both would be the dream. I am looking up the suggestions you offered, like a simple shed covering or enclosed entry, etc. Thank you!

I think the thing that ties the East and West vibes together is simplicity and straight lines. I'd keep whatever architecture you do on the outside in keeping with the existing exterior (as if it had been built from the beginning with the rest of the house)-- that makes the impact of walking into something different even more powerful. But if you do a shed overhang or enclosed entry, you could add some outdoor sculpture/wall art to give it a little West Coast flavor, and a hint of what's inside.

I have some artist friends who live in a very traditional, cookie-cutter house. Their front walk, porch, and even front door are dotted with bits of art that tell you something special and different is inside-- it creates anticipation as you approach the door, and tells the story of the people there. I'm sure you can find a way to do that, too!

I like the idea of the house going weathered gray with white trim. I would skip painting downspouts white (not a feature, in my view) and the trim on the shed(s)/potting table. Those could go the house color. Then I would look into creating a plant/art courtyard. If you can find more of those paver/walkway stones by the front door, I would add those on, running to the edge of the house at the tree, and to the end of the potting table. (You could still have guest parking on them, as that seems like it might be needed.) I like the plants on the table. Colored pots are always a wow. You might look for a cool piece of outdoor art for the left side of the shed, or as fall/winter comes, the good old standby wreath. I like your house numbers. Maybe spray paint those in a color you like? I'd also add a bigger window box that runs the length of the window, and find a larger door mat that is colorful and speaks to you.

This house says California artist and plant lover moves to Massachusetts. :)

I love the brown of your home, it blends with the woodsy vibe and the trees. What you lack is a sense of place, a unified look that reads "home" "entrance" and "welcome".

Paint the shed darker brown to match your house color and don't paint the shed trim white. Use the same color as the rest of the shed.

If you like your pavers keep them - are they cobblestones? Or use other natural stone pavers, perhaps a different color than the gravel. Place some kind of edging barrier around the pavers to keep the gravel out of that area. Now you will have an actual entrace area.

Remove all the tiny pots. Get 2 large planter: to the right of the front door and on the angled part of the shed where the blue planter now sits. Plant with robust sized evergreen shrubs or tall grasses. (Maybe get large planters in the red color below.)

Remove the left light, have just a right light, a sconce that echos the shape of your kitchen ceiling light, connecting the inside with the outside. Make it white or black. Remove the window box or add one the same color as your wood siding and have it run the entire length of the window. Get a cushion for the bench. Something that looks like one of your indoor throw pillows. Does anyone look a street address to find you? If so, I think the current address placement would be hard to see.

The brown, white, and trees of this home remind me of yours. Red is kind of a nice accent color. I was surprised it is a west coast house.

Coastal Stunner - Front Entry · More Info

The entry needs to be accentuated…perhaps a little peaked roof over the door…creating a small covered porch with posts …painted all white including the little back wall/ fence …for a much more visible entry for the lovely home it leads to..if you use that front outdoor space , i would expand the larger stone patio area and add a little more seating…all of this will live up more to the specialness of your home…

Where is the front door?

Your interior doesn’t really relate to the exterior IMO…but it does appear to be original …so …i would not be influenced by that…if you are looking for a small change/update painting the wood trim facing the views would be a place to start

The home is contemporary. It's not a Cape Anything.

It could use a better entry but that would only be possible if the shed could be demoed.

Barn style cottage . Lovely ! Enjoy !!

Loving all these comments and creative suggestions. What a cool community/site. Thank you!

Who care? That VIEW!!! OMG! What a nice home!

@K L is to the point about the view. I wouldn't focus on making the front a seating area. Why would you ever sit by the road when you could sit on a deck on the lake?! @BeverlyFLADeziner is to the point about your house just being contemporary 1980s box. It doesn't really boast any particular style rules that you need to accomodate. I think the main point here is to declutter, define the front door area more.