The Grand Plan For Adding Curb Appeal

As I mentioned yesterday, we're trying to knock out some necessary exterior maintenance and at the same time, spruce up the curb appeal of our house.  While the rainy weather is slowing down the deck makeover, it is already looking worlds better and is going to make such a difference to enjoying our backyard space (you know, because putting your foot through a rotted out board on the deck probably isn't a whole lot of fun.)

The next big thing we are going to tackle is the front entry.  I couldn't be more fired up for this one!!!!

Our house is a Shaker style colonial.

Are you familiar with this traditional American architecture that is prevalent in New England?  Shaker style is plain, unadorned, utilitarian.  Function reigns over form.  Homes and furniture are very clean-lined and unfussy.

While we appreciate this simple style, we want to make the house reflect us a little more.  We are so inspired by exterior before-and-afters like this one:

{via}

Can you believe the difference adding some architectural details made to this house?  The peak on the roofline, the portico, the front door and the stone and shingles completely transformed this house, didn't it?

Since we have some maintenance issues to attend to, we figured now was the time to make some changes to the look of the house.  

This summer we bit the bullet and replaced our old windows that were cloudy and horribly drafty.  After studying window styles for the past two years, we opted for grids on just the upper portion of the window, as we'd seen in a beautiful Cape Cod neighborhood and liked.  (We thought it was such a crazy choice and then the new house across the street put them in too, so apparently we're not that bold!)

And now for the rest of the plan:

ONE:  the path.  We are grateful to have beautiful bluestones for our path, but over time they have shifted and are such a tripping hazard (never mind the fact that having trees hanging over them for 20 years means that they need a serious power washing.)  Mark and I are trying to psyche ourselves up for the heavy labor of resetting the path.

TWO:  black shutters.  Not every house needs shutters, but our plain jane needs some mascara to accentuate her natural beauty.  I think Mark is most excited about the shutters, so he won't have to listen to me analyze houses with and without shutters or discuss this subject ever.again.  He's a saint, that man.

{via}

THREE : a new front door with sidelights.  This is Mark's baby.  He has always admired front doors on houses, and is fired up about a new front door so I showed him some styles I like, like these below, and told him the choice is his.  I know I'll love what he picks.

FOUR: the steps.  Our railings are completely rotted out and there is a gap between the steps and the house, so we thought the whole thing had to go.  BUT!!  Ron-the-most-awesome-builder-ever gave us the good news that our cement steps, like the deck, are salvageable (I know!!  This is why we love him.)   The railing will go, and then Ron will extend the top step with concrete footings that will create an area that runs beyond the lights.  The concrete steps will be clad in bluestone treads and the risers and sides in stone, like this This Old House tutorial.

{This Old House}

The steps with the extended top will look something like this:

This extended step brings us to the best part of this project - number FIVE:  a portico!  We loved the portico on our last house:

(Why did I space those planters so far apart?  They look so lonely in this photo!)

…but thought we'd do something different this time.  I'm obsessed and constantly asking the kids to snap pictures of pretty porticos with my phone when we're out and about….

…and I think we've narrowed the design down to something like this, but with square pillars.  I love this front entry!!!  Isn't it gorgeous?  I wish we had room for transom windows over the door, but alas, we do not.  I guess I'll live through it.  (PS this is the same color scheme as my house with taupe paint, white trim, and black door and shutters.)  

{via}

Extending the top step will allow for the pillars to be spread a bit further apart like this:

{via}

I think a wider portico would look better on our house and give the entrance a more welcoming feel.  Plus I will be able to reunite my two planters that don't fit on my current steps!

We'll probably change out the door before the winter hits, since the old one is wimpy and drafty.  (If you're in the foyer in January it's like you are standing on top of snowy Mt. Washington.  shiver.)  The rest of the project will probably unfold in the spring….fingers crossed!

If you've purchased a front door before, do you have any recommendations for me? Is there one manufacturer that you would suggest?

Thanks for dreaming along with me as we figure out how to turn this house into a home that we love.
Your thoughts and suggestions have made this journey so fun and I am so thankful to you!!!!

For more curb appeal inspirations, check out my Pinterest boards:  Front Doors and Porticos.

Wishing you a happy day,