I have an 80's ranch style house with a dated flagstone exterior. I don't really like the look of painted stone and we are on a limited budget. Looking to possibly change the paint colors to make our house look more modern? Any ideas?

Yes, it is a very oddly shaped house. We realize there's probably no inexpensive way to alter the shape of the house, so we are hoping we can update what we can.

I think the secret here is to draw attention to the porch area and lawn in front of it. However, the photo is so dark we can't see what you have to work with. Can you take a photo when sun is shining there, or maybe even at dusk with the porch light on and your flash? Move in closer so we can see the porch details. Landscaping will be key, as will upgrading exterior lighting and minimizing the garage door with paint or even with another style. Removing the hose reel and any other such utilitarian (or decorative) items will help. I think painting your front door in an orange, rust or persimmon color that plays off the stone will be helpful to pull the eye there. We really just need to see what the porch is all about.

Small plants only in front - open it up from the ground. I would consider a light fixture over the sitting area, or on the wall in the back, but as others have pointed out, the photo is so dark it’s hard to see what is going on.

The stone doesn't even disturb me anymore because it rather fits your contemporary home very well. The landscaping needs the bulk of assistance along with the entry.

Can we have a better photo of your entry? Is it siding? As I tried to lighten the image, it has become a bit distorted.

Your landscaping should look more like this around your home. Not shoved up at the porch. The house needs some breathing room and If you extend the beds out to the face of the two wings of the house, IMO you will have a better balance.

So to the left of the ADT sign is a wall? Those plants need to be removed, they are too large for the space.

@decoenthusiaste Thank you, I just uploaded another picture of the porch area.

@ShadyWillowFarm I agree that a light fixture would look good there. I just uploaded a closer picture of the porch. To the left of the ADT sign is a wall with a window on it. There is a large Japanese maple tree there.

@BeverlyFLADeziner Thank you for responding! The entry is wood, I uploaded a better picture of the porch area. To your point about extending the landscaping out, there are two large Japenese Maple trees on each end, we could move those out some...

I am no landscaping expert, but even something like this makes your entry more important. I'm sure that someone else will have some better ideas on how to improve this area and make it more welcoming.

OK just saw the entrance image. Are we going for a contemporary home or an olde tyme cottage home?????? Have their been some changes to the original building??

The reason I ask is that I was getting ready to propose a contemporary garage door to go with your boulder stones. Which was do you want to go???

LOVE the first photo of landscaping and entry door system posted by Beverly. Suggest adding low-lights among the plantings, directed at the whole porch, to further illuminate that area. Wow, what an impact!

@BeverlyFLADeziner I love the idea of a more contemporary/rustic home. I just showed my husband your pictures and we like the idea of extending the porch and landscaping. Also, maybe a carriage style wood garage door? Thinking of also incorporating black trim and gray paint to pull some of the gray in the stone?

Garage door idea

@chiflipper Lights in the beds are a great idea!

Now that I can see it, I like it!! Your front door is nice - if you had an interior light that could be left on, it would light up the glass. Maybe consider a brighter color paint for the walls, and an accent color for the door? I would move the chair that is right in front of the door. I bet no one ever sits there. Re-landscape, and the circle in front of the door is great!!

Don’t touch the stone! It’s classic. A new garage door and nice landscaping will go a long way. I love the glass garage doors!

Is that diagonal siding elsewhere on the building or just under the porch? Consider re-siding that area with cedar and installing a cedar porch post for a more rustic/contemporary look. Here's stone and cedar together for inspiration. Notice how the stone is lighted and the contemporary lantern sconces and mod door on the second one.

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