Thank you for the sweet comments about the paint. It has been a *process* doing it ourselves with small children, but it's finally done (except for the trim). The shutters are fully operable - we had the shutters custom made from Extira (a wood composite)from a mom and pop outfit in Georgia. It was also a long process because we ordered the hardware so they would be mounted from the window trim and then swing out over the brick mould to the house face. Well, as always happens with old houses, the window trim was installed at an angle and it wouldn't work. So, we had to install them directly on the face of the house. And of course they were sized to just fill the window inset only, not the entire opening. I was sick about it, but from the street it doesn't look bad at all. Here's a close up of the shutter and flower shutter dog: As for the door to nowhere - yes, here's a photo of the hideous fireplace on the other side: Isn't that dumb? All of the houses were renovated differently, so some still have a working door, some have a window, some don't have fireplaces, some have siding there. That's what we should do eventually, probably, but it's not a big priority. I LOVE Enigma's idea of the shakes over the door! I think that would be a great interim fix before going for the portico, and I bet we could DIY that or just hire a handyman to help. Thanks for all the ideas!

I beleive you are talking about 2 very different things. Upgrading your whole service to 300 amps would be increasing the overall current carrying capacity of your entire service to 300 amps. This would equal for example litteraly 600 amps of 120 volt load. Very seldom is this necessary. The reason some homes have such a large service is for the number of circuits needed. Each service panel regardless of size have a limited number of spaces. With homes getting bigger they need more circuits. The other option is to have a sub panel fed from a seperate 100amp breaker in the original panel. This would give you the needed additional circuits and keep your overall service size to 200 amps. I see you also have a generator. For example I have a newer 2000+sq' home with many electric appliances. I installed a power meter to record my total load for sizing my own generator. After trying to run everything at once my highest load on either leg was 88 amps. You dont need a 300amp service in my opinion. you need breaker space. Stay with the 200 amp main panel with a 100 amp sub panel. Keep in mind not all of your electric items are on at any one time. They cycle so the total load is not real large unless you have a large electric heating load such as heatpump or other large home heating appliances

Hello L, Have you considered Travertine for your front porch? Travertine is natural stone. You can use some copings and pavers as well. Ivory Swirl is a color that could complement well the color of your home.

Are you talking the door from outside to the garage? Or garage into the house? Our current (completely remodeling) house, has the main door and garage door directly across from each other--about 8 feet apart. I still have to install new doors before selling this house. But I will do the nice front door with glass on the guest interest and the same panel style without glass for the garage door. If you decorate your doors, you could always do a smaller version of a wreath or whatever seasonal decor on the garage door...which would cover up the glass anyway. In our new house, we will have the fancy front door with sidelights, and a similar style, but simpler for our family porch entrance. Both spaces will be landscaped and decorated. The other option would be to do the same doors (maybe simpler glass than the one you show?) and paint the front door a color (teal, navy, red, etc) and the garage door the same as your trim? I get your desire to also enter your home in a nice space. And it should be nice. But, the common is to dress up your guest entrance even more. When you think about it, often when you come home, the home may not be in perfect condition. But, when you have company, you want it to look its best. The awesome thing about homeownership is you can do it however you like. Like nycefarm said, find a way to keep a little light on in the garage.