Landscape would make great impact.

For some reason I can not see your larger photo. Could you please reload it again or insert it in comments?

Landscaping. Even in the winter, you can have interesting landscaping. Unify all the pots on the porch, unmatched can look cluttered. Two sets of small house numbers doesn’t equal one good sized set.

I see no pictures at all!

Your style and age of the house and the metal railings on porch don’t jive. Install a wood railing on the porch in the style of the other trim. Change circular stairway to one that is straight on with wooden railings, this you would incorporate with re-landscaping the front.

Also, is there a path from the front circular stairs (addressed previously)? Or do you just land in the overgrown landscaping?

The picture only appears as a thumbnail in the listing, not in the body of the post.he picture only appears as a thumbnail in the listing, not in the body of the post.

Better photos!

We live in a historic district so can’t change the railings or make any major alterations so we need to stick to cosmetic changes.

For me landscaping is desperately needed. i also think the grey is the wrong color for that super cute house. if possible i think the whole approach/porch entry could be redesigned to be more welcoming and in style with the home but understand that would require approval.

Your landscaping looks great, although you could add more plants to the left of the driveway. . In one picture, you have a trellis under the porch. That's a great idea. Otherwise, I'd put some shrubs where the tree stumps are to hide the cement below the porch. You could also put some stone veneer on that cement. If there's a blooming plant on it most of the year, it will be great. Frankly, I see a lovely house that has tons of curb appeal. Focusing on the one flaw is a waste of time. All houses have flaws. Embrace the whole, lovely house and ignore the small zit.

Thanks for the great ideas.
Any idea what colour we should paint the concrete base? And how to make the porch more appealing?

to me the porch seems to be uninviting. the entrance is hidden. short of reconfiguring it i think thr only thing to do is to make the access visible, clean the concrete steps. I’d remove the pots on the stairs and possibly the porch as well. On the stairs make they make the entrance even narrower and uninviting, they are also visual clutter, when viewed with the iron railings.

as far as house color, there are so many options other than grey.

So clear the stairs and porch of everything?
And what colors do you suggest?

Should I add any pots? Black?

Have you *talked* to the historic people?

The first thing that strikes me about this is that the house itself is cute, early 20th century, and the railings are a 50ish kludge. If that isn't true, at least paint the railings white, and get the pots off the steps. The pergola thing over the garage is a 21st century kludge and should also go if possible. I'd also put some serious thought into serious foundation plantings. As has been pointed out, cottage gardens aren't at their best during the winter, and structure can help enormously.

Yes! We have ai think the rails are original…

I think the rails are original. I think I need more contrast in the colors of the house/ the foundation and the door…?

I also like your landscaping in front of the house. Have you researched what the house looked like originally? It really looks as though the porch overhang is a late addition, especially if the railing is original. I suspect someone added that. If that part (all the froufrou stuff) is not original, I would get rid of it because it does not work with the basic, pretty, simple box of the rest of the house. It could be a cute cottage, but you would need to alter it.

Also, try moving those planters on the staids to the flat side-much safer for people descending if they can hold onto the railing.

Your neighborhood is beautiful.

1. I searched online and found an older picture of your home in which the landscaping did a much better job of hiding the concrete foundation and the staircase. I'd restore that landscaping plan and make sure you use evergreens for year round coverage of the stairs and foundation. Remove the pots from your stairs, and clean your stairs. There is a lot of moss growing on them. Take all of your pots to the back of your home during the winter.

NOW

THEN

2. Your historic district was only incorporated in 2010. I bet the overhang to your porch was added in the 1980s or 90s. Nothing else on your street looks remotely like it. The proportions are off, and it is way more intricate and detailed than the rest of your home. The style just doesn't match anything else.

You'd probably have a great case if you went to the historic district and wanted to rebuild the overhang and the second floor dormers to match those of some of your neighbors. However, it sounds like you are not looking for that kind of project now.

3. The next time you paint your house, I would consider more muted colors and painting the entire overhang one color - the fan insert and arms holding up the overhang all one color. Those details would become much less prominent, would make your home fit into the neighborhood a bit more. You do not need any permission on house colors.

Thank you so much for these suggestions. I love the house like that!

Changing the arc slightly makes a huge difference. I’d never thought about that. I love the idea of painting the curly supports dark and matte to make them less prominent.
Low lying plants for the landscape as well is a great idea so it’s not such a stark contrast with the sudden drop. The garage should be the same colour as the house - I agree!
I wish we could change the stairs but it’s just too much $$$ than we are willing to invest