Here's one for fall-blooming wildflowers. Here is a link that might be useful: Field Guide to Fall Wildflowers of New England

But those columns are appropriate for an 1870s Victorian house! Which what it is. And they appear to match the brackets very nicely. (They may be replacements, but if so, they were chosen carefully and are quite stylistically correct.) Don't confuse a "New England Colonial house with a house built when New England was a colony, i.e. prior to 1776, or the early 19th century. NE Colonial is not really an architectural style, it's more realtor-speak. There are "Colonial Revival" houses but they are later around turn of the century (1900) and are not like yours in massing or style. Those turned polychrome (multi-coloured) columns are a perfect, and most likely original, element of your house. Fancier and fatter columns would be funny looking - and look like you were trying to fake-up an earlier period by applying Greek Revival (1820-1860) details. Best of all, you seem to have almost a full set. You can have another one made to match the others on the big porch. The only really odd (visibly altered) element are the shed dormers. I went back and really studied your picture for signs that this house has any 18th- early 19th c details, i.e. "Colonial" (tried to see Federal, or Greek revival) and I just can't see it. It really looks to me like a very nice and surprisingly intact vernacular late-Victorian structure. With nice porch posts! Aside from removing the siding, and considering adding corner boards, the only other things I'd consider would be blinds (shutters) and painting the storm window/door trim so it doesn't flash so much. You might find some opportunities for some fancy brackets (supports) under the bay window if the bay doesn't extend down to the floor. And with the siding off you may find evidence of some trim bands under the roof edges along the gable ends. Having contrasting trim there would serve to weight down the roof line visually and conteract the startled-eye look you have right now. If the trim was paintd the dark grey color, that would do the trick I think. (I expect you'd find evidence of that sort of trim if you take off the vinyl.) L

Very cute desertsteph. Next summer I intend to clean out the loft and lay plywood down over the rafters. Not only will it look neater but I can safely store items better up there. OR - a bed???? I'd better not get my imagination running again. Anyhow, perhaps the mice will be inclined to stay away or at least hidden; I doubt they would be able to be kept out all together. I noticed the other day two small holes in the metal roof, it was raining but no water was dripping; but I need to fix that. Next summer I also plan on having the metal roof of the house coated again, then if it doesn't cost too much extra I'll have them put some on the barn roof too. Not sure how they will patch those holes.

Wow the photos are beautiful and so are the gardens. I hope to visit there someday. These pictures make me itch to order more DAs from Heirloom that are still in stock from my wishlist, but I know it's better if I wait until next spring. Sigh. I hope you enjoy your visit in 2017 - will be a lovely way to celebrate your birthday!