Really nice home. You have a great yard as well so you might consider ways you could add a front porch to sit outside and enjoy it and/or greet guests -- giving you an opportunity to change the roof line as well..

I would seriously consider utilizing that recess on the right. Could you wrap a porch that direction and have a secondary exit onto it there, rather than at the front door? Maybe screen that end of it for a comfy outdoor sitting area. A new landscape plan would add lots of curb appeal.

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suezbell, my husband said the same thing but that would involve having to get a permission from our HOA and I’m not sure we’re ready for that - will definitely investigate.

Decoethusiaste, unfortunately the recess on the right leads to the laundry room accessible only from the garage which extends to the right of the recess, so it’s really not usable. Also, don’t you think a porch will further take the style towards traditional and I’d like to get away from that. The front of the house faces east and the doorway and the large window are the way most of the daylight enters the living areas of the house. I worry a covered porch would cut down on natural light in the house significantly (the west/back side is wooded and shady).

If you have an HOA - anything you do on the exterior might need approval from them. Best to consult w them before you decide on anything. What is your budget? What do you love and what do you dislike? What are your goals for exterior improvements?

As suezbell said - it's a really nice house! The one thing that does jump out at me though is the entry. I don't like that the entry is essentially covered by the roof overhang. It would take some thought as to how to remedy that. If you added a gable at the entry that should open it up more but that might also take the house in the traditional direction. So, once again, it would take some thought. The color of the house is quite nice but perhaps another color would modernize the house. Painting the brick base might be a good move. If you paint the brick the same color as the siding it should unify the look and while still providing a difference in texture. Good luck!

I’d start by removing all shutters. Are you budgeting new windows or roof or do those stay?

thinkdesignlive, yes, you’re right, I will definitely consult the HOA - I’d like to have some sort of a plan before I do so that I’m prepared to answer any of their questions too.
At this time the roof is not in the budget but we would probably work in stages anyways so we could budget it down the road.
I’d really like to replace the window, especially the ones on the front left.
The entrance is probably what I have the most issues with.

Norwood Architects, yes! the entry! It seems like the roof overhang was an afterthought. It does serve a purpose but visually it kills the main entrance and this is the way everyone comes in the house including us.

Beautiful house in lovely wooded setting. I'd start by getting a new landscaping plan. Have the trees professionally pruned, especially where they are starting to overhang the roof. There will be more light inside once the heavy overhanging branches are pruned.

Replacing the missing window screens or moving would make it look better.

If fall is not the right time in your area for planting new perennials or shrubs, you could still plant several dozen bright yellow daffodil bulbs in the front garden bed where the stepping stones are piled. The bulbs can be moved after blooming when you are ready to plant more in the spring.

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Think about a gable centered on the entry to elevate its priority. The shutters are a decorative give-away. Even decorative shutters should have the proportions that they would cover the window. Embrace the horizontal nature of the elevation. Solar shades above the windows? Planter boxes? Belt band trim?

It's hard for me to suggest modern updates for your home when it feels so traditional but here it goes...

I would:

• Remove the shutters
• Replace the railing with a modern black railing
• Replace the entry door with a full-lite wood door (with frosted glass for privacy)
• Update landscape in front bedding
• Get modern house numbers and exterior lighting
• Paint the home a dark color

A quick way to modernize a home is by paint color. I think a dark charcoal would look quite striking and immediately take it from traditional to modern. However, good luck getting that approved of by the HOA.

(either left a natural wood tone or an accent color - not black)

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How Asian would you want to go?

decoethusiaste, I love Asian - you think I could pull it off?

Sage green and cream. Power wash the brick. Fun color for front door to pull it out of the overhang. I’m partial to sage green for good reason.

If you like Asian, I would explore that in the landscaping. If you have Netflix, there is a fabulous show called “Big Dreams, Small Spaces” hosted by Monty Don (a British gardener), and one of the episodes featured a woman who adored Asian gardens. She ended up creating the most amazing Asian-inspired back garden.

I would be very hesitant to make the house Asian, but maybe your area would support that experiment, mine certainly would not.