I can post some pictures of the inside. It is very traditional, and that is where the dilemma is. I don't really want a craftsman feel outside, and traditional inside. There is NO way to bring craftsman elements into the house. I was really just wondering about a slightly more relaxed feel to the entrance/columns, not necessarily craftsman, just more casual like the rest of the house's exterior. The round columns are beautiful, but noob's comments tweaked my brain and now I'm thinking the round columns might look contrived. I agree with you, it would be great to have designer to give us direction. And believe me, I have tried to get a good one for this project. We have had two architects to tell us that thickening up the roofline was important to bring balance. I had a landscape designer out, who made a gorgeous plan for the beds and pool area. She mentioned we should remove the columns and replace with wood, but didn't have much else to offer. It's a real problem, like you hinted at, to find the right designer. I've had THREE designers (from remodeling companies) out that can only tell me that what I've drawn is "perfect". Ugh. Being new to the area, it is very difficult to find people who really know what they're doing. It always turns out that we pay for opinions, and get nothing usable. We have designed and built several homes - one can be seen here: www.209colonial.com This is the home we just sold. My husband can build anything, and I do all our wall finishes and fabrics. I'm just not creative at all for this sort of thing. Before we actually commence work, I will have my architect draw the columns and frieze, for sure. The back of the house is coming along fine. The ugly wood balcony and white spiral staircase was removed and the railing was replaced with wrought iron to match the pool fence and gates. The vinyl siding is being replaced with cement board to match the porch and other trim. The pool has been remodeled and is so beautiful - can't wait for spring to use it! So, lots of progress, and yes, it is overwhelming, but I think we can handle it, if we take our time to decide what we want. :-)

Hi Cindy, the brick is "Old Orleans" by Cherokee brick. Its a great looking brick with lots of character. The mortar was rubbed over the brick to achieve the aged look. I put the same post in the home decorating forum with a couple more up close pictures if you care to see any more of this brick.

Yes the pillars are structural I am not sure if they are all needed but that will be determined by a pro. As for colors A nice shade of gray/ green with that roof and brick will be nice I would remove the shutters since most of them are too small anyway.Your gutters need to be the same color as the roof they are not a design element.Maybe just wood cladding for the pillars painted the same as the trim in the green some nice big planters by the door with seasonal plantings and then decide on a door color

I think the bronze would be nice for the columns but I would not doa red door on that house IMO the door you have works well even with the new colors. Iwould do much larger planters filled to overflowing with seasonal plantings . I am not a huge lover of shaped greenery so maybe look at a differetn choice for landscaping since right now the mix of very structural and free form plants really do not work. Maybe talk to a landscaper to get some ideas for a nice more formal walkway plantings with some color