I would keep the tall windows as a single panel, but I would put a simple 4" frame around them and paint them the same color as the other trim - which looks brown in your photos. For the door, I would get a modern single paneled door and paint that the same color as the trim, or stain it brown, and replace the bubble glass with standard glass. Or, replace the bubble glass with frosted glass and get a front door with frosted glass too.

The trend for housing is to embrace the historic roots of our homes and *not* update them too much. In just a few years from now, people will be updating designs that seem totally updated to us now. Updating lasts for a few years, only. If you enhance the 1970s it is forever 1970s stylish, and won't be outdated in a few years. Look at the people who at one time, misguidedly, updated & renovated Craftsman homes and MCM (midcentury modern) homes! You have a black roof which looks great, I'd unite the windows with the roof and go with black. I'd keep the long windows b/c that is more in keeping with the 1970s house you own. I love the black (?charcoal) front door and the whole bubble thing!! I'd certainly keep the black door and the bubbles. I'd remove the shrub in front of the fireplace b/c the fireplace is beautiful and the shrub is hiding the beautiful brick. I'd add an identical shrub to the one that is in front of the right window to the left window. The 3 shrubs on the right of the house are somewhat overgrown, but I would work with them and not remove them. The combination of those three types of shrubs is very pleasing to the eye. The colors and textures and the varying heights are marvelous. Perhaps a professional arborist can prune them slightly to let more light into the window. I say professional b/c it would be a shame to lose any of these shrubs with improper pruning. You can watch what they do and do it yourself from then on. For starters if you do not want a professional, expose the trunks of the shrub on the left even more (about 25% more, to start), this will let more air and light in. The short shrub in the front can have it's trunk(s) exposed about 1 foot. The shrub in back is probably OK. The gray planter is nice. I'd get a new half round door mat in black. The bike-flower holder is cute, I think I'd have both flower pots in the terra-cotta, though.

I love your ideas! Thank you!

Hi Caroline -- I love this style of home - I always admire these when we travel through Vancouver. Keep the new windows the same style to stay true to the house . Keep the the home true to the time period - which is very in again. I would darken the siding to a richer brown ( less red ) and have the black trim on the windows. I love the bubble glass as you call it - that would be an expensive thing to replace today. I think that door was replaced at one time or they simply put the wrong style door on - that one is a colonial style. Try to find a door that is more mid - century and I like the black.The front landscaping is over grown and is rather hap-hazard. I would take it out - it's done. Put in some flowering shrubs like hydrangas ( sp ?)- globe cedars or junipers and a showy Japaneze Maple in front of the brick fireplace for drama. Also add in some ornamental grasses for texture and interest.Keep the plantings that are at the front the kind that won't grow over the windows . A few big interesting rocks if you like .The front light is also colonial - replace that with a nice big white globe style. A matching globe style post lamp in the front yard would add more light to your sidewalk. Then add some galvinized large planters for a little bit of today's style. Add a nice big colorfull door mat.