Thank you. I will try to find out some options, but I live in a very rural area making that difficult.

Lucky you! Hydrangeas love shade!

Of course you will want some other plants as well, but be sure to include them, they are perfect fir shade and the style of your lovely home.

Perhaps instead of opening up the porch if you enjoy it closed in you can replace the entrance with something more interesting.

Have you looked at craftsman homes for ideas in the houzz idea books?

Yes... and someone made the recommendation that I should replace the storm door with a more craftsman style door, which I have looked into. But then I start thinking that all the storms in the porch aren't great and need replaced and maybe I should replace them with something with more character. Then I start thinking about the storms on all the windows on the house... and it never ends :)

I did see these hydrangea's in forever pink and thought they would be pretty.
http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/hydrangea-macrophylla-bigleaf-hydrangea.aspx

I was also thinking of adding in some boxwood or holly bushes.

Well even if you started replacing just the front ones or all of the porch. It's a start. Not everyone can afford it all at once. You do what you can!

If you get hydrangeas, check out endless summer varieties. They bloom on old and new wood, so it flowers all summer. I love mine.

Is the lower half if your house green or brown?

It is brown. I'll definitely check those out, thanks!

Would you possibly consider painting the upper half?

I am open to suggestions... I wish that the white trim was a darker brown, or something...

Well even if it is aluminum, it can be painted.

Check out the idea books, but better yet, look at some real books at the library or bookstore if you want authentic craftsman color combinations. However, the current trending colors that many people use are quite striking. I just looked on Pinterest and there are tons of pics too.

Bushes are finally gone.... It looks so boxy and boring

It's a clean slate!

Did a little sketch to inspire you!

nice! thank you :)

Hydrangeas under middle windows, boxwood and or azaleas on each side of them. Dwarf Alberta spruce out at edges, far enough away to allow for the shape to not touch the house as I have indicated. Widen border by putting limelight barberry on the ends to brighten, with peonies next to them and some Stella d'oro dalilies. Fill in with annuals and some colorful annuals in the pots on the steps!

You could make a welcoming garden at the sidewalk edge also a quarter circle shape on each side is nice. A boxwood surrounded by annuals.

Is the limelight barberry the same as japanese barberry?

I don't know actually. It has small round leaves and thorns, just like crimson Pygmy barberry that you see everywhere.

Okay, thank you. Can't wait to make a trip to the greenhouse :)

Just looked up barberry on Pinterest, lol! Yes, I think it is the same, just a lime color.

You're welcome! Pics as your work makes progress! :)