Consider a different color for the trims and front door.

I would like to repaint the whole house with a different color scheme all together.

Definitely a different color door and if there's enough space, a big plant or some flowers on each side. I would also put solar lights on each side of the walkway leading to the door. Another suggestion would be to trim the big tree.

I'm wondering if I can do anything like this with my current roof line:

fava1012: I want to remove the tree and big bush. Of course, I have to convince my husband first.

How about concrete staining/stamping for the walkway? These photos show walkways that have been stained and stamped with different colors and designs. It would be a great way to spruce up your entry and is more cost-effective than replacing concrete sidewalks!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Thank you, Christi! I hadn't even thought of that, so it's a good idea to keep in mind. And I'm glad you posted so I could check out the Thos. Baker website, great stuff - you're not too far from where my house is located.

Really you just need to take out the two big bushes in front of the tree. Then, add some smaller plants, flowers. Even some pots leaned over on there side. I like to plant herds in mine. Like rosemary, it lives all year long.

http://houzz.com/photos/302904

Tree and bush need to go, I'm not sure if there's one or two bushes, if there's two, both go.

Widen that walk and do as Thos Baker suggests, add some appeal to the walk path.

I'd add a few low mounds of something blooming to the left, keep it low so one can see into that corner. Maybe even add a few of those solar path lights along the left side for night interest. Paint the door another color to make it stand out.

As others have suggested, get rid of the landscaping but I'd build a pergola along the side of the garage. This ones along a detached garage but I'm sure you can understand my drift here.

Hi abd09 -- I'm so glad the idea was helpful and glad you enjoyed browsing the Thos. Baker website. Lots of good stuff there! And yes, the store is located not far from Seattle -- just a quick ferry ride across the sound. You should visit one day, especially in the spring when the weather is perfect for a day trip by ferry.

I was also thinking that if you have a back patio that you'd like to spruce up, you could stain/stamp it to match the front walk or create another unique feature for your home that has its own design. Here's a few photos to give you ideas on that as well.

Have a great Seattle weekend!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm glad so many of you mentioned the bush and tree. I have been telling my husband that they have to go.

We are planning to repaint the house and hopefully replace the front door. I think I want to go with a craftsman style look/colors. Eventually we'll replace our garage door, but it's solid wood and was repaired not too long ago, so hopefully it has a few more years in it.

Lampert Dias Architects, Inc. - I would love to add a front porch, but I don't think that extensive of a project is in our budget. I am hoping to replace the weird windows on the front with something more main stream.

Architectrunnerguy - I thought about a pergola in the entry area, but I'm not sure it's the look I want to go with. I was thinking of adding one above the garage door.

Christi - I will definitely have to come down sometime in the spring/summer. My "Island", where my home is located, is North of you. However, I currently call the island of Japan home, but I'm headed back to the USA soon…and looking forward to getting back to work on my house.

abo09 - How funny! I'm a Seattle native, but currently call the island of Maui home. However, I too, will be heading back to the mainland soon and look forward to getting back to my house in Washington (which will no doubt need some work as well). Seems we have a couple of parallels -- nice to make your acquaintance! Wishing you a great outcome on your remodel and safe travels on your return. Do pay a visit to Thos. Baker when you get home and perhaps I'll see you there sometime.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

For those who suggested painting the front door another color, what would you suggest? I'd like to at least make a short term improvement to the house. Thank you again!

Hi abd09. Welcome back. How about a dark color? Black or midnight blue?

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

I like the idea of a darker door, but I'm not sure how it would look with the current color scheme. I suppose I could paint the door a dark color and maybe just paint the trim around the door white so it wouldn't clash with the current trim.

Would a deep dark red look decent?