Sense people have already hinted on the grading, I thought I would throw in some ideas. I would see if I could get a climbing vine for the neighboors fence to the right, obviously checking with the neighboor, something like confederate jasmine. I also would look into some red roses to echo the red theme, and check into the new bright red stunning crape myrtle, it would give summer red to the house. I would plant four 2 on one side near the back hiding the siding on the side and 2 on the other kind of staggered with the first one at the front of the porch and the next one behind it. That would hide that hole and add depth making your house look bigger as well as complmenting color. I know you cant get ride of that chain link, but the more you can hide of it the better. Peronsally I think repainting chain link is tedious but worth the effort with oil based rustoleum. I just got through painting a slightly rusted vegtable garden fence in white and it looks insanely good for chain link. I am not recommending that for the front, but possibly for the sides and back, black wouldn't draw your eye to it as easy. You don't have room for shrubs to cover it so thats why I mentined a climbing vine. Keep whatever you plant in the front yard low. Personally I would bring in some bags of soil, about 30$ worth of composted manure, 1 10$ bag of peat, and 2-3 bags of loam, and would plant annual flowers all across the front the 1st year, and then slowly add in perinneal. Its such a small area that wedding would be easy. This would save you from having to mow the weeds. Also 3-5 bags of mulch would go a long way. I mean for under 100$ you could have that entire front bed looking amazing and it would do tons for curb appeal. Maybe its just me but I think a dark purple with hint of red picket fence around the front would look great, You could get a vinyl picket fence and custom paint from lowes. http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=202842-77007-73000930&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3159825&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1 Its 3ft by 8ft. Guessing you would need 4 pieces & gate x26 a pice so thats 140$ish with gate, then about 30 in exterior paint. That would take are of the entire front for 270, new fence, annuals, soil, mulch, and 120 for 4 red really nice crape myrtles and a couple weekends of time. So for about 400$ you could have the entire front street view, side view, front beds, and side beds done with great soil and tons of color/seasonal interest. I am currently doing an area twice that size for about the same price :)

You know that saying that goes something like, "Grandma had it, Mom threw it away and I'm buying it back."? That's me! I'm in love with antique stores now and digging in old kitchenware and crocks and jars and graniteware and you name it! I have always loved this stuff..even when I was young. There is something about some old bench, or old jars and graniteware that calls to me! However I didn't really get into having this stuff in my house until within the last couple of years. Before that it was more cutesy stuff and most of that has went into the garbage now! LOL I'm into the primitive country stuff in some ways but not the REALLY Prim stuff. I love the rustic and painted furniture and items. I hit up the thrift store for items for a quarter that are done in wood and then paint and sand and make them look old. Slate Welcome signs actually aren't totally out. I mean if they're done in the right way, many country lovers would buy them up but just not with ducks and geese and the country of the 80's. You have to change the designs with the times! I have had a HUGE pile of slate to work with for like the last 3 years. It's dwindling down now though :( My father was out of work and so he worked for a bit with the Amish that live by my grandparents. They would tear down old barns and sell the lumber off to these companies that build new houses out of old lumber. Dad found all sorts of neat things in the barns! The slate I have came off an old train station in a town about 40 miles from where we live. Most of my slate has went to family and friends with sayings or whatever that fit them so I kept it close by! Oh, and I found a new love...stitcheries! I started making them last Sunday and I'm hooked! Just another thing to add to my sewing, crocheting, painting and whatever else I do!

I have antique ironstone, antique hutches and English/Irish pine tables found at fleamarkets and antique stores, as well as many CL finds that I've refinished/reupholstered. They're all mixed in with newer PB and RH pieces and Hubbardton Forge lighting that may be considered trendy but aren't to me because they suit my style. DD's changing table was an early American drysink that I loved but unfortunately no longer have a home for, so it was given to a family member to use in her new baby's nursery. An antique dresser that DH modified with a copper vessel sink is now a vanity in my powder room. My favorite piece of furniture is DD's antique iron bed from the 1800's, which is exactly what I would have loved to have had as a child. My second fav piece is my RH reclaimed pine dining table. I'll probably keep most of the items in my home as long as they last. Not making any effort to be unique - I try to buy only what I love. Rarely does anything leave my house after it comes in! My sister is the opposite - she gets bored with her furniture after a few years so she isn't as inclined to spend the effort refinishing furniture or spending extra on quality hardware. She has a beautiful home!

Wow -- great ideas are flowing in! I wish I had your vision -- then I wouldn't need to ask for advice - lol! ;-) Excellent! @Elaine Ricci - wow - what a beautiful lodge - you nailed it! And I would love to go there some day. :-) It must be an incredible vacation destination. @localeater -- thanks! :-) and the Danes love the place too. Excellent idea!! - rustic white would look incredible with the dark floors and mahogany - and wouldn't scream 'over the top rustic' (or 'park bathroom look' - lol!) And I love the quilt idea too. Thank you!! @eandhl2 - I've waited 10 years to finally call it home :-) Fortunately it was close enough for weekend get-a-ways or mini vacations -- but to know that I won't have to go 'back to the city' someday, will be a dream come true (but that may be awhile off with all the de-cluttering I have to do in my old house -- oh my - when will it ever end! :-). Hopefully the ol' gal sells quickly this spring - summertime is ideal at the lake. Yes - and very peaceful -- no boats allowed except kayaks and row boats or small electric ones for fishing. I do love it - T111 and all! :-) @pennydesign - hmmm...what a concept - embrace the contrast! I like it! I like the suggestion photo too - cool! :-) @J Williams - another great idea! I may even have some of that stuff already. :-) But listening to you all - with so many incredible suggestions, I am certain painting is first on my agenda. I think that was where my struggle was coming from -- imagining anything against such a 'charming' backdrop of T-111 was just throwing me for a loop. Doing some research, there have been some folks that suggest skipping the removal part and just affixing the drywall right on the 'paneling' -- while others say, if you are going to do it, do it right -- and it will give you a chance to see what's behind those walls. More to think about -- but I'm really starting to seriously consider trying the paint route first. All say it is a huge amount of work, though, so I'm not sure what is best -- if nothing else, if it does take too much work or looks terrible, then decision is made - drywall over it. Again, thank you so much -- I am inspired and uplifted....and so happy some of you enjoyed my story. Thank you for your kindness. :-)