So many good suggestions! Unfortunately we live in West Texas, so not the greatest climate for living things outside of desert plants. I probably won't be doing any climbing plants just based on our severe water restrictions and and my lack of a green thumb. Plus we have some heavy dust storms most of the year that sand blasts anything too delicate. I tend to let the lawn do it's thing and keep it cut and edged. Lavender_Lass: I absolutely love the idea of a little seating area out there! I would go with a concrete bench and small table (things tend to walk away here). I hadn't ever thought of this.. but sometimes I do loiter out front waiting for guests to arrive for dinner parties. Kippy: Possibly a small flowering tree to cover some of the area from heat? It gets extremely hot there in the middle of the day. annkh: my handy man skills probably lack too much to remove my covered area, but I'm thinking I could replace that column with something not so... terrible. I absolutely hate that thing! Do you have any thoughts on what I can do to keep it and pretty it up some? We do get some pretty heavy storms sometimes. Any suggestions on paint color ideas for that siding? I have a feeling that's really going to help out alot, but I'm not sure what colors to go with to modernize it all (gonna paint before I plant/landscape). I've attached a full photo of the house, plus a photo of inside so you can all see that I have at least done some nice remodeling in there at least. And we had a nice hail storm yesterday evening so I am getting a new roof!! No more brown orange roof! woohoo!!

We purchased our home 7 years ago and just yesterday removed all of the bushes. we want to add a front porch patio style but will likely keep the small porch roof in the picture. any suggestions?

Local regulations will probably require a railing, like it or not. I agree, the shutters are ruining the French doors for me. If you want to actually exit the house via the French doors, I would plan on one porch all across, without curves or separations. The required railings will change your house a lot. You might do better to install a "gingerbread" wood railing at each French door, without a porch to step out on, for safety so the doors can be opened and the outside air enjoyed. Where do you live? Would retractable screens be needed due to insects? As for the entry, I might prefer a larger porch that spans that entire extension and has flared steps and railing. Here's the idea; simply a way to keep you from falling out of the open door. Style them to match your cottage's look.

The rockers are perfect. I would place one on each side of the right window w/ a table between for a drink. Remove the shutters. Replace the mailbox w/ a more modern one. I'd make a decent size plaque w/ large numbers for the address.