Hi Mich-

Congratulations on your new home!

I wouldn't pay $35,000 to replace a perfectly sound walkway and steps.

You don't know what will happen in the next couple of years as you move in and what major repairs may be needed, regardless of what the home inspection said.

I don't see where the fountain is in the front.

Here is some unsolicited advice-

What I would do is add some flowers in the front.

I don't know your climate zone, and what would be appropriate.

Maybe scads of bulbs that you don't have to dig up would be nice.

And some perennials that flower.

They could go in the are around where you have those curved hedges in front of the house around the trees which in the computer photo looks rather formal and severe.

What might also be nice would be some riotous hanging baskets on either side of your door, either one or two on either side with colored flowers.

If you are in a cold area maybe you could only do this in the warmer months and bring them in the house the rest of the year.

Also, big brass house numbers should go somewhere.

(Sorry if you are already planning this, the plan posted is in print too small for me to read.)

I would add transom (rectangular) windows back in. The structure is already framed for them, and the height of wall wants them (the new rendering has the window head too high). I would even argue adding them above the windows on the flanking wings that appear to have the same ceiling height.

+1 on leaving the sidewalks.

I'm not sure how dense some of the plantings should be grouped near the center of the existing tree's shaded canopies.

I wouldn't do it.

Is it worth the investment?

Nope. You will not recoup 35k tearing out a sound walkway and replacing it.

Thanks all. Sometimes you just need someone to say that's "ridiculous" - not your words, mine - to tear out something perfectly good. Thanks all for the help.

We had a paver patio and sidewalk installed at our old house and it was very expensive and a pain in the neck to care for - weeds always cropping up between the pavers.

Pretty house. Keep the steps as is....maybe double up the size of the
posts on the porch, give them more heft...also I covered the outside of
the porch rails, where the tops of the pickets can be seen, giving it a
more finished look. Only did on one side, so you can see the difference.

I took out the tree on the right, but just to play with the porch. :)

Fill the beds with mixture of annuals and perennials.

Following

The walkway and steps are fine. I actually like your before photo significantly more than your mockup. You've lost the richness of the brick, the arch detail at the windows (just lose the arch mullions), the porch trim which now stands out from the house, and the beautiful natural landscaping. You can thin the trees or raise the canopies so you get more light in the yard and a better view of the house. Not every house should be a painted farmhouse style. What type of water feature are you adding? I can't see any type of water feature adding anything to the front of this house.

@calidesign The mock up is just a rough mock up of the house. I'm apologize if I made it seem like this is IT. Lol The landscaping is in no way what it will be. The water feature is just a small rock stack bubbling up on the left side of the house. It's very small and mostly will be used for sound when we sit on the front porch. I am not going for farmhouse style. I'm just trying to clean up the front to a more traditional cape cod style. I haven't decided if the brick will be painted or not. Still on the fence. I posted the mock up for just the color and the door style and the squareness of the windows. Again, this is just rough so I could see if I would like the house in white. The windows will remain white and I am keeping the shutters.

@Jean I love the idea of making the porch railing thicker. I had already decided on expanding the posts but didn't think of thickening the railing. Thank you!

@Suki Mom Great point. Plus we have to shovel here in the northern U.S.

I have a large patio. You have to use polymeric sand and I used a matte sealer.........minimum weeds - you'd be surprised.

Mich - not only thicker but also hide the top of the pickets, it looks in the original pickets like the tops are exposed on the street side, Adding a board to cover the tops makes for a more finished looking porch rail.