RL Relocation: Thank you for your feedback, it is definitely a good start! Although I love the idea of the raised plantar bed I wonder how that would interact with the circle drive since it is all concrete up to the front of house, not just in front of garage. We were thinking of adding an entry door in the front where the brick is to right of garage?? Would also love to add larger windows up top to include the lake view, but hesitant since they are in bedroom and bathroom. We do appreciate your great feedback!

+1. Some bolder contrasting colors for sure. Great location and some great potential in that palette.

Thank you for your feedback. Mose definitely agree! Over and above the painting, we're looking for something to even out the front of the house and give it some real dimension.

I would paint a dynamic color, maybe a grayed down navy, keep the trim white, add maybe 3 large planters that match the new paint color, in a row, with tall greenery against stone.

I would look into creative landscaping. Get some giant planters to go in front of that wall and maybe try to redo the steps so they are more visible and present in the space. Then of course add some great lighting.

Good luck!

Debbie:

Love the step idea! The planters are really pretty too, but think we will be adding a front entrance in that wall. Looking for some ideas of how to even out the look of the house and give it some dimension. Thanks so much!

Is this your primary residence or a vacation lake home? I ask because, if you are not there full time, you may not be able to keep planters adequately watered.

Good point.....

Actually it is a rental house, and our residence is directly across the street. However, I don't want to be in charge of the upkeep of the plantar and can't guarantee the tenants would do the upkeep either. Definitely, a great point you bring up. Thank you!

You could build a 6'-8' deck from the left side of the existing deck to the right side of the house, stopping at the right side of the windows on the single story part,

Use gray tint glass on the railing go the deck.

Paint beneath the deck dark gray and above the deck light gray.

Then focus on landscaping where the driveway meets the embankment to create an attractive, i inviting sloped curved sidewalk to reach the single story part of the house from the driveway.

Some suggestions:

--Are both sections of the house the same color? (Other side looks darker in photo.) If not, both sections should be the same.

--Plant a flowering local weeping tree to put in that small planted section in the corner of the front.

--Replace the deck railing with a cable and wood/synthetic rails. This is pricey but would add so much value and pleasure to your view.

--Down the road add a mix of hardscaping, mulch, and creeping plants to the slope--simpler than this, but you get the idea. Or just creeping plants to contribute to the texture you're looking for.

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Well if you are adding an entry ............the whole scope changes lol.

Ditto, was going to say that wall needs plants.

Nothing is a definite. We just thought it would be more practical to have an entry door on the bottom level as well; and hoping that it would give it some more character. We're not sure what to do, hence why I am asking for suggestions. Perhaps I worded it wrong in the original post. We're looking for ideas of any sort, but most likely will include some architectural design along with painting and landscaping. We're open to anything. :)

Before making any decisions, wait until the trees have leafed out and the lawn is green again so you see the landscaping in a better season.

What kind of shape is the deck in? A new entryway and windows, while nice, seem a stretch. The stone is actually fairly attractive.

We've actually been across the street from this house for 8 years so have seen all aspects. We will need to re-do the deck as well. The handrail needs to be replaced and the deck itself needs to be braced.

Now it looks like a totally different color. You could get cedar and cable deck railings; cedar garage door, and a pergola from the garage across the side of the house.

Now that the house looks like more of a cream, consider black garage door, black or brown deck/railings, black or brown window trim.

If you are going to do some sort of entry there , I think a nice pergola over the top would be awesome!

Or something that adds depth to that wall.

This would probably draw the attention of it being the main entrance though so if that is not your intent, then maybe do a nice big set of windows there with the detail above.

As far as planter go, I would do those nice decorative grasses. Minimal maintenance .

Good luck!

If the windows with the view are a bedroom and bathroom, does that bathroom have another exterior wall in which you might add a window so any escaping sounds and smells from the bathroom do not open onto the deck?

Have you considered sliding glass doors in the bedroom and/or (if the floor plan enables it) changing around the purposes of the rooms so the bedroom by the deck becomes a more used room .... such as could a dining room become a bedroom and the bedroom become a dining room? and/or build another bedroom and bath upstairs above the bedroom and bath on the main floor so the deck side bedroom might become a bonus room/den?

Adding a downstairs entry facing the "front" (photographer) could be a good idea, depending upon the layout of the home. However, if the current main entry is beneath the deck, you might consider turning the garage into a sun room or screened porch that wraps around to become the entry unless you actually need/want another opening facing "front" (photographer). Do at least first consider what that would do to the interior of the room in which you're adding the entry. Does the room lend itself to that change? What side of the house is north/south/east/west -- will that impact your decision?