I think you could definetly do cottage with the style you have. I think of cottage as smaller, no particular stye, porches, and white wood.

As for hardscaping, adding a railing painted white on the porch and maybe steps coming down by the front door from the porch into the yard would add some cottage style. I tend to think white painted wood when I think cottage. Same for the railing on the steps.

You might want to paint the downspouts to blend in with the siding so they don't stick out as much.

Adding railing to the porch and changing out the wrought iron railing on the left to all white would make a major difference. I would also see about boxing in the posts so that they have a little more substance to them, and become a part of the decorative element of the railing. Right now they just look like they are there to hold up the overhang. Maybe add the support pieces on either side at the top of each post (I think they call it a 'birdfoot' style) for more interest.

I like what Chicagoans did bringing down the stairs to the front, but I am guessing that is perhaps not practical given the way your lawn sits in relation to your driveway and parking.

I think the shutters are okay in black, but I would change out the door to either a bright golden yellow or a red, or perhaps a bright turquoise.

Plantings: flower boxes at the windows; certainly a tree on the right side out in front just a bit, with plantings around the base and a pretty white bench. Create a planting bed in front of the porch with a mixture of elements, rather than the little bushes marching in a row. That bed could curve out and back toward the railing going down on the right. I would consider cutting back or taking out the bushes by the mailbox, and instead creating a planting bed that curves a bit and incorporates both the mailbox and the post light. Edging the driveway with plantings would help the feeling, too.

If you don't have them already, i would also consider adding can-type lights (outdoor, of course) in the ceiling of the porch in several places. It will add light to the porch at night and on gloomy days, and help make that the friendly focus of the front of your cottage home.

Is that vinyl or wood siding? If wood, I'd paint it lighter.

OK, this is a structural suggestion, but I would suggest going for bigger posts on the porch. Lowe's sells round structural supports that would work. I like the mockup of the timbers on the front of the porch to break up the line.

Can't tell what your front door looks like, but if it's wood, I'd paint it a lighter color. Coral? Sounds wild, I know...

I'd add lots of little areas in the yard w/ easy to grow, old fashioned perennials. old roses, forsythia, snowball bush, spirea, lots of lots of perennial borders.

Then lots of found items from yard sales, trash heaps, etc., benches for people to sit on and look at the view, a swing, that kind of thing. When I think of cottage, I think of being drawn in to explore, rather than seeing everything at once--nooks and crannies.

Specifically for this summer, pull out the bushes by the hand rail and in front of the porch and plant something more colorful that won't get too big. Again, something like an azalea would be pretty.

How about some low, wide steps the full width of the porch?

I guess whatever you can do to soften would be helpful.
Replace the short light w/ a taller one. Lowe's has enough (though not a ton) to choose from from $100. And, I would suggest a couple of lights either side of the door that are old fashioned looking.

Yep, a colorful front door would be a good first step. I have a golden yellow door myself and love how it says welcome in cheerful voice.

I love the idea of white railings (and flower boxes on them!) and beefier columns. Brighter shutters would lighten the whole look. I'm thinking cranberry or a soft yellow...with an aged look. You could be wild and paint each set of shutters a different color....okay, maybe that's too much, but it MIGHT be FUN.

Some pretty and substantial pots filled with trailing ice plant or ivy or potato vine along with some colorful blooms would go a long way towards cottage-ing up your porch. Marigolds are bright and easy to grow. Pots of varying sizes add interest.

Some wicker furniture on the porch would be nice, too. I'd love to see a porch swing on one end of the porch or the other.

And, I have to agree, the neat, round shrubs in front of the porch are too formal. You need some soft evergreen shrubs and a selection of both perenniels and annuals to bring some color and interest. A bird bath, feeders, some garden 'art' throughout your gardens would add charm as well.

Post this over on the Cottage Garden forum, too. They will have some fine ideas for you.

Good luck to you. I've been cottage-ing up my home for the last few years. It's fun because it's such a welcoming relaxed style.

Wow thanks everyone! YAY I love this forum. You are so generous and helpful! Great ideas to ponder!

lyfia - I am seeing the white, thanks
chicagoans - my goodness, thank you for working up those pictures and finding those elements. I never would have even thought of that! awesome
les917 - yes, that mailbox and post need help:) I will check out the birdfoot style too:)
druidclark - the main house is brick, I think the porch is vinyl - sounds like everyone is on board with those columns! LOL guess that will be our first step. Thanks for all the plant ideas.
happyintexas - YES, you hit the nail on the head, with nooks and crannies and exploring, that is what I want!:) I will put this on cottage garden, great idea. What color of yellow did you use for your front door?

All great suggestions so far. I think some type of arbor configuration over the front door area for a climbing vine will help and a little white picket fence with a stepping stone lane and flowers speaks cottage to me. I agree with painting the shutters and door a color such as soft turquoise or periwinkle. You have lots of potential there.

vampiressrn - thanks, what kind of arbor do you see? Interesting about periwinkle;) I may investigate that;)
Are you by any chance, able to make the pictures you included a bit bigger, I can't quite see the second one... if not, no worries, thanks for adding them!

I am on a new computer so don't have my Photoshop, hope these turn out bigger. As far as an arbor...I think lattice work and a curved top (as opposed to your current A frame front) would soften the look.

{{!gwi}}

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Here is a link that might be useful: Periwinkle

vampiressrn - yes they did turn out bigger, thanks - I am enjoying dreaming:)