Ask a stonemason for an estimate on a new porch and removing the brick. Check with city hall to see if there are restrictions on building the porch larger (setback, etc.).

If you have not had the foundation checked lately, get a pro in to see how much damage the tree roots may have caused.

In the meantime, paint it white with black trim.

I think it's an adorable house. I would move that shrub (easier said, than done, I know) and add a window box. It's got a cottage-like charm.

I agree with violetsnapdragon ... my first thought upon seeing your house is “cottage” .... I would focus upon making it a more attractive version of what it is via paint & landscaping rather than trying to make it into something it isn’t.

Since you do not like the brick on the house and the octagon window just paint them the color of the house. It is a lot easier than removal.

Black windows are fine but I think grills would look out of place on your house.

As to the wood in the gable, just paint it the color of the house too.

Changing the porch would be the biggest project so if you have the money do that first.

I think the porch is cute as it is.

You have a small bed for plants so I would remove the shrub and grow perennials or ferns.

I'd paint everything in red to white.

If there are trees in the lawn then I would consider removing the one next to the house.

Thanks for the ideas all. I‘m willing to do something pretty major if it will help achieve the more modern look I’m going for. The house will already be going through city design review, so that isn’t an Issue. Also budget is flexible so I’d be willing to invest the money to get the look I want.

Remove the shutters, bush, flower bed and sidewalk. Run a new walk out to the street or public walk. Cover the scalloped ends of the siding with a piece of trim to give a straight modern line. Paint the house black or deep charcoal gray, the trim white, black, cedar or redwood. Redo the entire porch or stain the brick gray. You could also replace that scalloped siding with shingles as shown on the last house below.

Front Porch Upgrade · More Info

Benjamin Moore Line · More Info

Stealth · More Info

Paint the brick black (what? yeah, I know,,,but it will work), white or a soft gray body, and cedar or redwood slats.

just an idea to show you how the black brick and wood slats work together. remove the scalloped board and batten on the gable, and replace w/stucco

Or, just do the gable in a wood, paint the stucco white, black windows, black trim and charcoal or black brick.

this combo:

remove the large bush and see if you can expand your porch over to the right (build it around the tree) .

Somewhat like what they've done here

you could also see about doing the wood slats on the right part of the house, around a new black window, similar to this one (try not to look at the second story on this pic. just look at the bottom portion of the home)

landscaping ideas

I don't think your house is hideous at all! I would come up with a different color for the red pieces and definitely lose the scalloped edges. I would have that tree removed and would add some colorful landscaping in the bed under the window. I think with just a few tweaks you will be looking at your house with new eyes.

I just had a crazy thought but I think it could solve my issues with the front. What about adding a small bedroom on the left side and moving the entry to the area where the tree is now? Forgive my terrible sketching skills.

what's your budget? 30-50K? plans, permits, room add-on, roof, windows, new porch, walkway

I agree with the recommendation of white with black trim, no shutters, paint in the gable white also. Rectangular concrete pads for the walkway, not as many as in this picture. Low linear landscaping.

Sunset · More Info

@ tqtqtbw yes- love that look, thanks for sharing!

@Beth H. Love those ideas too, I have many of those pinned on pintrest. Yes 30-50k for this project would be fine, the rest of the house is being re-done as well so it's going to the architect/permitting/design review/structural engineering anyway. I just want to know how to best make it look amazing and have my mind set beforehand so that I don't have to go back and forth with the architect more than necessary.

I think this house (already is really cute, and) would look great in a stark white/black combo or even off-black/black combo. I love shrubs but this one is big enough that the scale looks odd to me. You CAN rejuvenation prune it and see what happens. Or remove it go with the some spiky grasses, cast iron plants, a blue-green hosta, or if your climate allows, even snake plants. I think all of those would look great. I don't see colorful flowers in front of this one.

And just for good measure, that house is so cute!

Cute house and it won't take much to get it looking better. And that's a great looking tree. But it is WAY too close to the house. If it hasn't caused damage already, it will. Think seriously about removing it. Too bad it wasn't originally planted further into the yard.

Diffent but the same. If this iterests you at all maybe someone could fix my attempt at planting. Don't like that area.

Or, no stained glass.

I think I like this one best. Just needs plantings. I added darkish teal masonry banding, under the bottom one is paint. The round window tilts open.

Or, put a white bahama shutter over that little window to hide it and add a cool aged copper exterior wall sconce on the side closest to the step.

some ideas:

I was thinking that you do not want the octagon window and you do not want the brick on the house. If you remove both the house will be scared. That made me think it might be easier to have a different material on that section.

You also would benefit from having the walk from the drive begin redone further from the house. You barely have room for plants.

I changed the window at the porch. Something feels off about it to me.