The picture is kind of small for me to get a good sense of it, but it kind of has a Prairie House feeling in the picture, and thus you might get some great ideas looking at some of the gorgeous Prairie houses you can see online or in books. For example, you could emphasize those horizontal lines by building a front porch over that entryway with the same roof shape as the main house (looks like a foursquare), and then make sure that part of the landscaping job is to bring the walkway forward, maybe in some sort of curve, instead of going straight to the side. Then emphasize all the eaves with something like copper gutters. You could also emphasize the horizontal lines by turning that little track of windows on the side into a continuous ribbon of windows (popular on Prairie houses), with some sort of trim around those and the ones on the front. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend!

Good luck, keep us posted!
-Melissa

It's a little difficult to get a sense of the house from the photo, but from what I can see, the house already has a sort of country lake-cabin sort of appeal. I'd be reluctant to do too much to it. You might spoil its sort of rustic "cabin-y" charm. If you fix it up too much, it might lose its laid back charm and feel. It is a country get-away, isn't it? I kind of like it as it is.

Another relatively-cheap fix might be to paint a horizontal band around the entire ouse, using the band defined by the horizontal windows. Whatever color goes with salmon-colored brick (I'm not a color expert :-) That would provide some visual weight to the house. But I have to agree with the other posters that a larger picture (and more of them) would be helpful in coming up with more ideas.

Absolutely, get rid of the cupola. What were they thinking? Does it house something? A whole house fan? If it is merely "decorative", say goodbye to it.

There are dozens of houses in this overlapping roof style in the Chicago suburbs. They are what they are, whatever that IS, and don't lend themselves to much re-configuring. They're small, which is why they have those high windows -- to leave wallspace.

I'd plant some large bushes to come up to near the top of the brickwork and concentrate on the view-side. You could wrap the viewing deck around to serve the front door. If you don't need that ramp, I'd get rid of it because it dwarfs the house. Just have some steps up to the new deck.

If it's dark inside, with just those little windows, might skylights be an option?

I agree with the photo being a little small to really see whatÂs going on. I tried to photoshop it to give you an idea of what I would do :)

I love the cupola and would definitely keep it. It adds a certain charm to the house definitely craftsman style. I would seriously consider removing the brick on the front (if this is the only place that has brick), as long as itÂs not structural. I would then replace the windows with taller versions within the existing width so you wonÂt have to redo the header just cut a taller opening. This will make a huge difference to the proportions of the house. I would then reside the exterior or if the existing siding is in good shape extend it to the lower portion. I also agree with removing the ramp if you donÂt need it and create a nice portico over the front door area and use some columns with cultured stone bases and then a path that leads to the front door with some landscaping to draw the eye up the walkway. I would not put tall bushes in front of the brick wall to hide it because it will dwarf the house. Our previous house was a ranch with similar brick work and oversized shrubs in the front- the best thing I did was remove those over grown bushes and give the house some height. Good Luck!
I hope the photo link works!

Let's try that again :)

Sorry, Didn't think it would be this hard. It seemed fine in the preview. Here goes again!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Yeah!! it worked. sorry for the other posts. I just had to make this work the way I wanted it to.

Pretty awesome,pinkpowertools!

{{!gwi}}
Original House- now that I know how to put the images this way I thought this might help to have the original house here for comparing

{{!gwi}}
Version 2 Smaller budget than the 1st version still big impact IMO
Keeping brick and keeping window openings but changing windows to an awning style (hinged across top and swing out at bottom)with divided lights and adding a portico over front door supported by craftsman style columns resting on stone supports, and creating a nice walkway. The body of the house doesn't have to be this dark- just kinda happened that way when I was doing it. Kinda like it LOL

I have to admit, I'm simply mystified as to why so many people want to turn mid-century rambler style houses in to craftsman bungaloes. Even under the best scenario, you'll end up with a wierd sort of hybrid hodge-podge. Why not work within the design idom in which the house was built?

If you read Home, Dwell, or any of dozens of other "nesting" magazines, mid-century modern seems to be all the rage at the moment. When striving to freshen the appearance of a house from that era, why not work at emphasizing the best of its contemporary ranch style features. Trying to turn what is essentially a contemporary style house into a cutesy craftsman bungalow makes no sense.

This house is a good example of a lakeside cabin with some eccentric charm. Why ruin it by trying to turn it into a pseudo-craftsman with urban landscaping and pretty petunias all in a row? Even if you're successful at coming up with an approximation of a craftsman look on the outside -- once you step through the front door, it's going to be obvious that it's all caricature.

I think pink's first version is darling, but...there's a reason for those high windows. With deeper windows, the interior has too little useable wallspace. (I've been in houses like this one.)

I think that it's adorable as it is, and I personally would not recommend major renovations. I like the cupola, it does add uniqueness. Also, I like the brick. It looks nice, and has the added benefit of being practically maintenance free. I don't know if you want to do anything with the aluminum siding, but a lighter color might be pretty - a soft white or cream perhaps.

I don't know what to advise about landscaping in such a natural setting. Are there areas that you can drive around to get ideas on how to spiff things up a bit while still working within your peaceful natural surroundings.

It looks like there is a fenced platform leading to the front door? Is this for handicap access? If not, then perhaps you could evaluate whether something else would look prettier and still serve your needs. Please let us know what you are thinking, perhaps we can come up with more concrete suggestions.

Good luck.
Lynne

Just my opinion, but I like the original house the way it is. It blends into the landscape very well, a feat not easily achieved. No offense pink, but the updated house looks totally out of place in the woods. I think it would be OK on a suburban sidestreet though.

No offense taken- lyndaz

I do agree that the landscaping I threw in there is a bit out of place. When I was doodling with the photo I got off track. If this were a summer home you wouldn't want the maintenance of grass and annuals. I was just emphasizing the path leading to the front door which in it's current state I don't think you can even find.

I also like the original house mostly the way it is (I would definitely remove the ramp if not needed) and give better access to front door but the post was "how can I change the front of this home" and mentioned doing lots of landscaping. Anyway, here's an even simpler version...

{{!gwi}}

Good luck Marytt with whatever you choose to do or not do to the house it looks like a great location- enjoy :)

Another idea: Would the owner gain more interior space by closing off the "front door"; building stairs/decking to connect to the view side;, using that as sole entrance?

building stairs/decking to connect to the view side;, using that as sole entrance

Doing that would render the house inaccessible to anyone in a wheelchair or those with severe mobility or balance issues. Maybe not the best choice for a "forever" house or even one you plan to sell somewhere down the line.

I wouldn't do much remodling either. The smallest things will improve it dramatically. I think if you clean up the landscaping and paint the upper half a nice light kahki with an off white trim around the windows and door that would make it look cleaner... and maybe brighten up the door color. But definatly don't do too much with the style of the copula.

I pretty much sign in on the side of leave it alone. I do agree though, it needs something. I agree with chisue about bringing the deck on around to the front and enter onto the deck and then into the house. We like "pink's" color she added.

Of course, to get our best vote, you could give us the keys some weekend. (LOL)