dsb, I've noticed that there is a dark gray/blue used for the shutters on some of the other houses, and it is much nicer than my shutter color. Every house has white trim, though. So we'll see - I have no idea how open they will be to the request. I think the potential problem will be the dark trim and removing the shutters. I don't think that painting the foundation will be an issue. Widening the walkway - interesting! I hadn't thought of that, but I will look into doing it. (I think I will also hve to get permission to do this.) I definitely see how it would look a lot nicer if it were as wide as the steps. I don't really like the pots on the first step now, and would love to get them (or some other containers) their own little spot. Good idea. oilpainter, I definitely agree about repairing the gate so that it won't sag. It has been driving me nuts for a while but I haven't gotten around to figuring out how to fix it. As far as painting the fence, I actually really love the look of the weathered wood, so I'm going to leave that as is. I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it. lazygardens, I like your idea about having some plantings at the intersection of the public sidewalk and the walk to the house. Very few of the houses on my street have any kind of landscaping (And most of the backyards are just a dirt hill - barely even any grass!), but one that is really nice has some nice little raised beds on either side of the walk to the house. It is so inviting and pleasant. I'd love to do that if funds allow. What about putting a few squares of paver (above and beyond any path widening) and putting containers there? Do you think that would have the same effect? karin, thanks for the additional feedback. I think I just didn't explain myself fully or clearly, because I think I am open to some changes. I was kind of imagining it as an all or nothing thing, especially before I had heard any ideas. But a lot of the suggestions are not huge major things, and they are all under consideration! Thank you all so much for your help! It has been really helpful to have your input and thoughts. I really welcome all the ideas. I'm still a ways away from doing the work, but this is really helpful to get me thinking about it in new ways. And when I do get around to getting started, I promise I'll post photos! Oh, and a quick question - as I said earlier, I have to get a big stump ground out of the right bed. Can I do that right before I plant new plants, or should there be some time between removal and planting?

Our climate: Indiana weather. Zone 5b. The kitchen faces the east, but it faces the ravine behind the house. So while there will be some sunshine, a lot of it will be blocked by trees. Especially in the early morning, which is fine, I'm not much of a morning person anyways. It will have 9ft ceilings, or just under when finished. The overall style of the house is barn-esque. We wanted something that would blend in with the setting. Brown metal gambrel roof and wooden vertical siding with a large stone chimney off of the family room. I don't want the interior to match the exterior, and it doesn't bother me that it doesn't. I actually like the idea of formal rooms inside of a barn, kind of a pleasant surprise when you walk in the door. I'm sure others will hate it, but it's the look I'm going for. I would like the island to be the majority of the countertops in the kitchen. I would like for it to be used for prep as well as seating if possible (my husband wants an eat in kitchen, I want a formal dining area, and I'm willing to do both even in the same room if the areas can match well. I would be insane to have any more kids, but I thought that after the first, and the second, and still managed a third. So while highly unlikely, there is a rare chance that I'll miss having little ones around when they all are off to school in 3 years. The front entrance will be the most used. Our actual yard will be in the front of the house where the kids will do most of their playing while they are young. It's defined by trees right now. I would love to keep it that way. As the girls get older, they will probably hike around in the woods more, and instead use the basement entry. We plan a walkout basement in the side of the hill with a porch off the front of it. I think the hill is too steep for the basement to walk out directly at ground level. We do not want to change much of the land. There is a small creek and a large trail that will run behind the house. I would have loved to put a half bath under the stairway, but that stairway will also lead to the basement, so there isn't enough room for a bathroom there. Honestly, I don't think we will use the family room much. I just labeled it family room, because as lavender_lass stated, it's a trophy room. If a door is necessary, I don't want to be able to see through it. While I personally don't mind the taxidermy (I hunt as well), I would love to have a place for it in the house. I have family that isn't a huge fan of seeing it, and it does get a little overwhelming in our current tiny home. Mostly, because it's spewing into every room in the house except the kitchen and dining room. I think we will actually use the living room more often. We're not too big on formal around here, although I love the look. And I think the living room can have a formal sense to it, and still function as a heavily used area. That being said, I don't mind opening up living room to the kitchen more, as long as there is still a defined space. I do not like open layout floorplans, and love to be able to get away from a messy kitchen if needed. That's my biggest concern with a combo kitchen/dining. Although, I love pictures of fancy eat-in kitchens. Chicagoans- I love the sliding doors with the rail at the top. I have the current setup in my new temporary kitchen here at our current home. I would love to do this on as many doors as possible. I would also love for their to be French doors to the porch from the kitchen/ dining room area. I haven't decided on countertop either. I saw some gorgeous black and white marble that I loved, but marble makes me a little nervous. My husband is well known for throwing down tools and anything else on the kitchen countertops now. Thank goodness they are pre-cut green laminate pieces that I actually enjoy watching getting demolished a little bit at a time. I'm thinking something very durable that will last forever would be ideal. I would prefer to have a kitchen that will last for the next 10-15 years, at least, with little change. Here was my little board of some materials if I went with off white cabinets.

in the main room you have partial white windows. I'd paint them all white so that it matches. even the door casing. you can leave the wood doors. as for the baseboards, up to you. your wood ones don't look too bad. It's just a whole lot of wood, especially if you're bringing in arts/crafts type of oak furniture. the floor is oak but the baseboards and trim look like something else. I'd prob do that living room/kitchen trim/baseboards in Alabaster. wait for the other rooms until you get everything in and see how it looks you have to admit, it looks much fresher.

It looks like you've already improved the design by reorienting the entry door, which is great. :-) What kind of advice are you looking for, exactly? Exterior cladding material? To shutter or not to shutter? (Don't shutter; your windows can't support it, especially the window to the left of the front door.) Colors? Porch design (I'd probably go without railing)? Landscaping ideas? Which architectural style are you aiming for?