Oh, I agree...no fun to make decisions under pressure, but it feels like thats been the story of this build...Ive learned so much and it feels like 80% has been under a deadline...so am considering trying to figure out the paint stuff tomorrow-or at least take a guess...the walls are so small it wouldnt take much to repaint if needed-Thanks so much for the suggestions of those colors...I just looked them up--I really like both of them. They do look clean/fresh. The laundry room will basically be filled up with the rustic hickory cabinets (lowers along the sink wall- a silgranite sink (blanco laundry sink) which I'll need to choose a color for as well---thinking something of a medium to darker shade just b/c it will be easier to keep clean), & then upper cabinets on the washer/dryer wall) with a quartz countertop (doing granite in kitchen, but figure quartz will be easier to maintain in laundry room)-color tbd...that will take up the log/sink wall and the right/garage door wall....the opposite 'longer' wall we are planning to build a bench/cubbies 'mud room' type piece that will run along that wall...perhaps paint/stain that. There will be a light (pendant or semi flushmount) over the sink, and a flushmount mid room in front of the washer/dryer-oil rubbed bronze and frosted glass. I was also thinking about putting some simple, maybe live edge shelves to the left and right of the window, or maybe those could have some color too. We're doing most of the finish work ourselves & are both working full time--nothings been ideal about this build & I know I should have these things picked out by now- this is my first house I've even owned (I've always rented & have moved A LOT-so maybe have painted a wall or two, but never had the opportunity to design/paint/etc anything from scratch...its a gift, a challenge, and outside my comfort zone all at the same time. :)

If you're wanting a more rustic or mountain cabin look, you could use cedar with a natural wood finish but most country porches ended up being painted white. The posts are not larger than 6"x6" and many end up being smaller and round and more ornate with white railing (though I prefer the plain 6"x6" myself). Like these posts: http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2012/06/our-front-steps-and-walkway.html You could extend the depth of your porch so that the overhang of the front of the porch roof extends to be even or nearly even with the two story left wing of the home and do consider a concrete porch floor-- it will last a lot longer. You create a block foundation/form, fill in with hard packed dirt and then pour a 6" floor that slightly overhangs the blocks ... which you can face with brick or stone. Then you can use the same brick or stone to enhance the curb appeal of your home and its new entry door. With the new door, showcase it with some great brick or stone steps at least as wide as the door. Since you need only a few steps and have a wall on the left side of the porch, consider starting the steps across from the front door so they are covered with the deeper porch roof and have the front of the bottom step even with the front of the front porch, adding a brick or stone wall between steps and the porch to the right of the steps that can be usable as a railing ... in lieu of adding an actual railing. On the right side of the porch consider adding a "gazebo" feature -- there are different kinds of roof designs you can use if you don't want to just use a hip roof corner -- and have the front porch wrap around that right front corner of the house at least enough to create the wider gazebo feature and add steps leading from the porch toward the back yard. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112730796896550817/ If you're wanting rustic or mountain, you could use cedar with a natural wood finish but most country porches ended up being painted white. Know your local building codes. You may be required to have a railing or wall depending upon the height of the top of your porch floor. Depending upon the building codes and whether you have small children that actually need a rail ,,, since your porch is not that high off the ground, and especially if you add depth to the porch so there is less likely to be people bumping into each other knocking each other off the porch, you might consider just adding a hedge in front of the porch rather than replacing the railing. Alternately, if you do decide on a concrete floor with the front faced with brick or stone, you could create a brick or stone "railing" and even have it be able to double as seating or a wall usable for a plant stand for your favorite flower pots..

Remove the vestigial shutters, the balustrade railing on the right side and the blocky shrubbery. Soften the trim and siding color; perhaps a lighter shade of the keystones above the windows would work well. When you install new landscaping, do not use black mulch; it is too harsh a contrast with the soft, mellow colors of your home. I personally prefer natural cypress mulch that also repels insects and eventually melds into your beds. The home would be more welcoming if a broader sidewalk went straight out to the street.

You have a home with prominent garages and a very dark roof, so you want to paint the body Hale Navy and keep the trim white in a wooded setting. Are you sure? That high contrast is going to make your garage doors sing out loud. I think I would keep the exterior a light neutral with white trim and a bright front door and landscaping that draws the eye to the front door.