Hi Ellendi, luckily it is quite a mix of houses around here and the ones I posted are not close :) Good point though, I do not want to copy the color or styles of the houses close to us. Thanks for the link AnnieD - lots of good ideas there. I think I am going to go with plain glass and then add an applique if it is annoying to have the plain glass. I now need to decide whether to do one door with a window on the left side only that opens as a casement or the top that opens like an awning or the single door in the middle with either two fixed windows or two sidelights. If I do the one fixed window on the left side, I was thinking of making the door mostly wood with a window on top. Any suggestions on door websites? I attached a better picture of our existing doors looking straight on. We are going to cover the walkway with a trellis and get rid of the windows on the right side (garage) and change out the windows to the left of the front door. I am thinking of trying to match or complement the windows to the left with the window(s) at the front door. Lots of details :)

White! And color. But especially white. Like those pix Nosoccermom posted. We have a 60-year-old (!) MH in Florida with the original medium-dark, wood-veneer-but-nevertheless-cheap paneling that we have so far declined to paint, though I have polished it a bit. The walls look fine as long as all the pin holes and irregularities are allowed to disappear into the wood grain pattern and the darkness is shady-cool in the heat, and cozy and pleasant at night. People who automatically assume it should have been painted white or a pastel (almost everyone) usually seem surprised at how really nice it feels. Including us. Since we own it, we were free to install a large picture window looking out toward the water, so that now we have windows on 4 walls, with plenty of ambient light despite patio covers, awnings, etc. But beyond that my main decorating techniques were (1) choosing most unspecial furniture pieces to blend into the walls without contrast (easy with wood), (2) adding liveliness with spots of bright color and a few reflective surfaces, (3) lightening the whole thing up with white and off-whites--in specifically chosen pieces since they will be features. I'm still waiting for the right white/off-white/mostly white lighthearted sofa to show up in some resale shop. :)

Unless a person knows they will be in a house for a short time, I think it's better to plan for the long term, knowing that there may be a period of awkwardness until the final concept rings through loud and clear. In this case (if you're going to be in the house for a while) I would not let the stone and roof colors limit where I go with future house colors. Personally, I don't find the stone attractive enough to call it a "keeper." If budget allows, I'd consider replacing it. If budget doesn't allow, I'd paint it and that will be an improvement and open up color choices for other things. Roofs eventually wear out an need replacement. At that time, you could select a better roof color that goes with your improved house color. Eventually, you could transition to a whole new, improved color scheme. The new pictures help. To be perfectly frank, I don't think the stone columns and fencing help in the least to make the entrance more inviting and appealing. If a courtyard effect was still desired, I think it would be done completely differently than what is there now. So getting rid of those things would be an immediate improvement. The walk needs help, too. Ideally, it would be redone. But if that is not in the budget, then strategically adding to it would be a big help. It especially needs an area of expanded paving near the entrance door. The small "trees" inside and outside of the courtyard are not the right plants for those spots. Is the budget or DIY interest level sufficient to make some sizable changes to the entrance area?

Beverly, wow thank you for those beautiful renderings. So helpful and definitely food for thought! :) I have decided I will probably be refinishing the floors in a few years to a mid tone (less orangey) brown, because that is what I'm bumping on. The texture in the ceiling is from the weight of these massive beams in the attic. The window is probably a newer addition as the home has changed a few hands since it was built in 1921. I actually don't mind the stone on the fireplace. Maybe I'm crazy but I like it! Thank you again for all your thoughts! Holly, our furniture all rather neutral (think medium to dark woods, mid tone grays). Most added colors or accents are in the blue and gold and silver families). I will have oil rubbed bronze leaning towards black knobs and pulls throughout the house. Liz, I will definitely get a sample of soft focus. I also love your trim/woodwork...bit of sugar is so pretty. Thank you!