"Any thoughts on just tearing down the whole mailbox thing ..." Admittedly, it is a pretty crude example of masonry. And a classier one would be a better look, since it's front and center. But then, you'd have to get a just right one for it to make a difference. The only reason to change now is to add a magnetic appeal, since no one is going to not buy the house on account of the mailbox. Any planting around it should be simple, not busy ... so just one kind of plant. " Any thoughts on a better garage door? Yes ... get one! Truthfully, I don't care for many of the suggestion of my fellow forum advice givers when it comes to garage doors and think many of them look gimmicky and are likely to end up in the future being classified as a mediocre fad of this period in history. But your door looks cheap. It's also front and center so would be a good thing to make look better. How to describe what it would look like is tough for me because I don't have a good picture of available ideas for them in my mind. However, I've noticed that garage doors with a bank of rectangular windows in the top panel always look better. I've seen some with lots of glass or all glass (like the fire station doors) that also look great but one would need an immaculate garage for that kind. I prefer doors that coordinate with other trim on the house ... not those painted darker. I think a main problem with door appearance is that there's so much blank space. So having some interesting details of some kind help. Large wrought iron looking decorative strap hinges, carriage door handles, or even a pattern of large rivets are all things that added personality to garage doors without looking crazy. Whatever is added must be compatible with the overall home style. Search Google Images for decorative garage door hardware and see what you come up with. Per the porch posts ... I don't think I dislike them, but would need to see with the hedge out of the way. If they were white, maybe fine. The panels that flank the windows ... I'm not sure what those are. If they're shutters, they need a new color scheme. If they're architectural panels, maybe ditto. What are they?

I would push back if the builder is suggesting that none of the window sizes can be changed on this elevation due to code. Codes do vary from place to place, but they generally have a few common features regarding windows: minimum open size for egress i bedrooms, and minimum natural light and ventilation in living spaces. Other than the bedroom, none of the other windows on this elevation should be tied to code in that they cannot be changed. I agree that at minimum the 1st floor bath and kitchen window should be the same height. I also think they should both be the same type of window. I understand the convenience of casement windows over a kitchen sink, so I would do a single casement in the bathroom too. On the second floor I would make the bathroom another casement (for rhythm and consistency) and make it the same size as the top half of the landing window. Beyond that, landscaping, exterior color choice, a nice window box under the first floor bathroom and kitchen windows, a small paver patio to expand the front porch, and some quality details on the porch posts, railing, door and outdoor lights can all improve and add character to a simple form.

Thank you, both! I certainly understand and appreciate where you are coming from. Waiting has been our mindset for a long time. We have lived here for ten years mostly focusing on saving, doing infrastructure projects, and tackling smaller landscaping projects (it is on 3+ acres and much has been done in the back). It doesn't look like much now (spring has not really arrived where we are) but the beds will be full with plants soon as it warms and we always plant annuals, planters, pots, and baskets. The greenery always does wonders to make it look more welcoming! We have gone back and forth about waiting. Unfortunately, the paint has been slowly running off the house when it rains since we moved in, some places are down to bare aluminum, and the deck has not been done for three years and is in need of painting anyway. We feel like we need to address it now in order to maintain the house and keep from opening ourselves up to bigger issues down the line. Aside from the painting (which we plan to do ourselves) the other projects should not be impacted when we renovate (patio furniture, trellis, steps, etc.). A good chunk of the funds will go toward furniture and based on our budget estimates. The paint and associated supplies will represent a much smaller portion.

I knew there is a way to update your beautiful home. Consider spending your limited resources on the front entrance and garage door. FIRST SUGGESTION: 1) Paint the front door, garage surround and window framing (the trim everywhere) a spruce green. (or med brownish green) See the first & second pic. 2) Paint the shutters a butter sand. 3) And now the fun stuff: Add a wood arbor over the front door to focus on a welcoming entrance. Add the same color wood garage door and short arbor as shown in the pic. Continue the same at the back. SECOND SUGGESTION: 1) Paint the front door, garage surround and window framing (the trim everywhere) a blue grey. See the last pic. 2) Paint the shutters a pale grey. 3) And now the fun stuff: Add a wood arbor over the front door to focus on a welcoming entrance. Add the same color wood garage door and short arbor as shown in the pic. Continue the same at the back. (see pic) IMHO I like the first suggestion because it's fresh and new and be a showstopper on your street. The second suggestion is more traditional and sophisticated. After that, we can concentrate on the plantings and landscaping. Hope this helps and please comment on what you think! Suggestion #1 Note the colors: Butter sand for the shutters and brownish green for the garage surround and trim Note the colors: Spruce green, butter sand and arbor. This obviously is a back area but can be adapted to a front entrance. Note Garage door and arbor Suggestion #2: Note colors: Blue grey and pale grey and black window frames and garage trim around wood door