Funny. (Also in New England.) It's so true about not using our front doors, but in our experience buyers and their agents do proceed straight to the front door, despite what door they might use in their own home, or when visiting friends or family. We actually don't want them to come in the front door, as we think the initial impression from the side door is actually better in our case. Front is a center entry, with a central staircase in the house, but it's not a very functional entry... it's cramped and no place to put shoes. We put the lock box on the side door, but it's never used as our realtor has always attended showings. Our realtor thinks it is "off-putting" to redirect people away from the way they first attempt to enter (I disagree) so most people keep coming through the front. I agree with the sign ideas.

Nice house, I can see why you're excited! I don't have a picture but just a thought ... is there a way of expanding the landing? I can sort of picture walking up a half-flight to pause at a deck, maybe sitting for a bit and enjoying the view, before walking the rest of the way up. I like tozmo1's last picture with the widely spaced horizontal boards to "hide the underbelly".

I would close in the doorway to the kitchen from the front door, make that a true entryway. We did this in 2 homes so far with kitchens at the front of the house. My current home had glass block which we knocked down and replaced with an actual wall. My last house had what you have and we closed it in, took out another part of the wall to open it up within the kitchen and added an island. Let me find pictures...

I love your home. Because your side-facing main entrance is so unusual and unexpected, I would do everything to enhance it. First, the step-down from the door looks a little dicey and unsafe (where the brick and stone sections come together. The landing seems like it needs to be extended a couple of feet toward the street, and a railing here would be appropriate. It looks like the evergreen that was blocking the view from the street to the door has been removed, and a large stone address block was put in...is that correct? I think the address marker should be moved a yard or two to the left to make way for a lovely walkway that leads to your doorway and mailbox, flanked by plants and lighting. Flag should go here, as someone else mentioned. This whole area on the right needs to be enlarged and enhanced to give it visual weight and to balance the facade of the home. Right now, the original main entrance/2 story section carries all of the visual weight. Finally, I would then add a railing and plantings all around the old front porch to make it clear that this is not where visitors should go. This sounds like a fun project on a historical home. Landscaping (both hardscape and plantings) can solve this conundrum!