Camarodreamer, I'm just biting my tongue rather than respond in kind to some of the folks who posted ... All I can say is, don't take it personally. Some people have "arrived" (or think they have) financially and socially, but have somehow lost, or never had, a grain of understanding or compassion. I live in an area where property values have skyrocketed; people are moving here to get away from the city - They bring with them their city ways, demolish modest homes that have been standing for decades and replace them with the all-too-familiar "McMansion" that is too large for both lot and neighborhood, and attempt to ride roughshod over a way of life that has been cherished here for generations. I'm a "transplant" here myself, having been here a mere 30 years, but sensitive to, and appreciative of, what this area has to offer. I love houses and in my travels have seen many. A house is a shell - nothing more. Granted, some have more aesthetic appeal, more architectural merit, than others ... but it is the people who live in them who make them *homes*. If it is one's "calling card", one's announcement to the world that one has "made it" ... then it isn't a home, it's something else. I admire and appreciate your desire to reduce your living expenses while simplifying and increasing the quality of your life. I worked for 8 years in a hospital setting - five of those with hospice and cancer patients and, sad to say, it often took a virtual death sentence before people woke up and distilled their lives down to what was important. I hope I'm not rambling too much, but this is coming from the heart; not always in the best order, and with some of the stinging parts edited out. You know better than anyone else whether this house (or any other one) is right for you and your family - I believe someone has already stated that. Some of the kind posters have helped identify and clarify, and possibly remedy, some of the drawbacks. If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then you can overcome those drawbacks and the property will reflect the thought, care and love that you put into your life and become a *home*. Whatever you decide, please don't let it be because of rude, shallow people ... and I wish you the very best. Diane

It's so easy to misjudge exterior color. I spent weeks painting swatches of color on our siding, but it was early springtime, overcast and on the east side of the house. I thought I was choosing a dark green gray. Well, it was more green than gray and unfortunately, in the summer afternoons when the sun was orangey-er in color, the west side of the house (our back yard) took on the nastiest greenish brown color. UGH! It really bothered me for the first few months in the summer, but I eventually didn't think about it anymore. sherwin williams has a handy app that allows you to take a photo of something and use it to find their paint colors to match. If you'd like help with your sidewalk/front step project, you might start a new thread with photos focused on the walkways. Personally, I like concrete sidewalks I just might replace what you have with wider paths.

Congratulations on your new house! Expanding the garage is an expensive proposition. Do you have the budget for something like that? The first thing I would do is remove the shutters-they're too small and not suited to the style of the windows. Then I would add risers to the steps of the porch and stain the whole thing in a color that compliments the house. Add a tall planter on either side of the door for some color and interest. You could add small evergreen trees in them for the winter that can then be planted in the yard next spring. I don't see any house numbers so I would add some vertically to the left of the door. If there's electricity available, I would also add a light to the the left of the door. For a few hundred dollars, you can have the stump ground out. Adding a flagstone walkway from the garage to the front door is a nice idea. There are crack fillers that you can use to fill the cracks in the driveway, then you can power wash it and use a concrete stain to freshen it up. I would also paint the shakes on the garage gable in a color that matches the house. Don't forget to paint the downspouts in a color that matches the house as well! With winter coming, it's a great time to sit down and spend some time online learning about what plants you could add to your landscaping next spring and summer to enhance the curb appeal of the house. In the meantime, fall is a perfect time to throw some tulip and daffodil bulbs into the garden beds to provide some pretty spring color. Hope this helps!

Therma Tru does make very nice doors. You can have them pre-painted in a factory finish in several different colors. A black front door would be classic. I would stay away from any leaded glass Victorian type doors and look for something in keeping with the Colonial style of your house. The 6/6 grid style windows are appropriate for your home's style. Rectangular windows to replace the arches are a very good idea. Good luck with your project!