If you're interested in checking out some pictures to get ideas, I've got a whole album of exterior shots on my profile. Many of them are ranches and cottages in particular.

HI -- I love the mid- century style of this house . I always have a hard time understanding why people feel the need to turn one house style into something else. You could take this to an Architect who could do computer mock ups of each style so you can see what style best appeals to you.

You have many positives to accentuate. This would be a great project to consult on. The soffits are gorgeous, your landscaping is beautiful. I feel that your instincts are pointed in the right direction. I would consider opting for a single oversized eccentrically hinged door with larger sidelights and translucent glass, possibly reed glass. I feel the stone is outdated, and your home should feature more of a stack or ledgestone. I would suggest matching faces flanking the entry, stepping down to sill height in both directions as you move away from the entry. You can use cut pool coping for an inexpensive continuous cap. It appears that functionally, you could extend the entry roof out, if your max. lot coverage and HOA allow this. I would be inclined to suggest that it would be a powder coated metal and glass canopy, with the rear attachment point being just lower than the existing fascia, and braced off of stone plinths matching the body, with powder coated round columns installed at angles, complimentary to the pitch. I would cut out the small area of asphalt btw. the driveway and the concrete entry porch, and extend the concrete, possibly with a stamped and colored pattern abutting and over the existing conc. These are just a few ideas that you may consider as you move forward with your design process. I realize that I am perhaps more in Lefty's camp with my suggestions not being straight craftsman, cottage or ranch, and that is because I feel that this home, in terms of existing vocabulary and detailing, has more of a late 60's/early 70's contemporary feel. Happy Houzzing.

I would update the front doors and pendant entry light with something a bit more contemporary.

I don't think I'd make too many big changes to the exterior. It is a nice looking 60s contemporary ranch home. I'd keep it in that spirit vs. trying to make it traditional.

The home is beautifully framed with the tall evergreen trees. The crape myrtle trees are very nice too. I would work with a landscape architect to update the landscaping...adding a concrete driveway with a geometric score pattern detail would be a huge upgrade to the large asphalt drive/entry.

What a beautiful home! I honestly love it the way it is. I would take mmilos's suggestion of adding patterned concrete to the front of the garage and entry. I think that's all you need.