What is your budget? Would you like to add a door to the main living area? Do guests use the basement door or do they enter elsewhere?

We are trying to keep it minimal cost, just thought we might try to add on a few projects since we need to paint. We thought about trying to make it a split level entry but that would require quite a bit of remodel on the inside which is not something we want to do at this time. Everyone enters via the back door where the driveway is. We get packages at this door since it is the "front" but that's about it.

The lattice is fence/privacy for the back deck that is right there.

that upper right side window could be made into a double door/french door no doubt there is already a header above that window.

a wood stairway would be an easy install... for looks, if nothing else. What is that lattice work on the right for???

Would a full view door there be a problem for that room? ... then either close off that basement door, or camoflage it to blend in with the existing siding to unify the look. I would paint a brown tone, Taupe?

A path to the door will go a long way towards makingit look like a front door.

Step by step: Remove your 1960’s colonial look storm door. Not belong on mid century house. If need a storm get a full glass door. Decide on new house color and then paint the front door and interesting contrasting but complementary color. Might consider beefing up around the door with simple wider molding. Also think about painting trim a different color creating some interest. The white house color above with maybe black trim around windows and door. Others here should have other color combo suggestions. Add appropriate to the era light fixture and house numbers. Then above suggestion for walkway and landscaping. If not want guests to use “front door” then no walkway but do landscaping. Let the house stand out instead of shrinking into the trees.

A portico and walkway would work wonders. If possible lose the lattice fencing and replace with stained horizonal fencing. Would research mid century paint colors and replace front door .

Love what Celery did. If you enjoy gardening, you could take your time with plants bordering the path. In addition, if you don't want to have sidewalk leading to the portico, you could put down gravel.

The house has a mid-century vibe; so emphasize the horizontal lines already existing. The upper and lower pairs of windows were originally meant to provide horizontal elements by unifying them with the horizontal siding in contrast to the vertical board and batten. This needs highlighted by painting those areas with a different color than the rest of the house. If affordable, a new sleek full- glazed entry door with sidelights full

Continuing my previous post, I apparently bumped “Post” before finishing it! Anyway, fully glazed entry with sidelights, nothing frilly, stick with the sleeker mid- century look. Adding a flat roofed shallow porch beginning at the right of the window closest to the door and incorporating the chimney to interrupt the verticality of it, ending at the right side of the chimney. Now you have broken up the height of the facade. A slatted horizontal screen could be added to the porch between the window to the door.

This is not the "front" of the house, but the back of the house from what you've said. The door is used only as a service door for deliveries. The other side of the house is the "front" of the house, no matter what the approach is to the space.

This being the case, I would not maximize attention on this side of the house at all. I would remove the address numbers from by the back door, and place them on the upper right part of the house, in the middle, between the window and the corner. This indicates the "address", but not the "entrance." You could remove the screed door, and paint the door the same color as the rest of the house. That's it with the house. I would do some landscaping with deciduous trees on this side of the house. It would be pretty. and the trees would break up the blank expanse of the back side of the house.

The two sets of horizontal windows are a design element that gets lost behind the tall vegetation. If you are going to accentuate the style with a different trim color around the windows I would also remove the tall plants, and plant something tall where the house numbers are now. If there is a vining plant that would grow in your region with that exposure a tall rectangular trellis (to mirror the chimney) would look good. Absolutely replace the screen door, regardless of if you go with a color to blend or contrast with your new paint color the door should match the clean lines of the house

Have you considered going with charcoal and cedar?

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I hav e a client who is hesitant to use inter ceramicsa “implement tile in her bath. Do you have a large picture of a job where this was used?

Ripple in white.

Love Celery’s rendering.

Like decoenthusiaste, I was thinking charcoal would look great with your brickwork. You could do the wood portion of celery's rendering in cedar and the roof of the portico in dark metal.

I also agree about changing out the door - if that's in the budget. If it's not in the budget, I'd paint it dark - colour depends on what colour you go for on the siding.

i like it

My first suggestion is to strip the landscaping out entirely (or almost entirely) to give you a blank slate for new landscaping. What you have is just out of control. For your house are you considering new siding materials? Some of the photos posted by others here are quite nice especially since they incorporate a variety of materials which really provides visual interest. If you aren't considering replacing the siding then would suggest you repair anything that needs it and then paint. Also, would you consider a porch instead of a portico. It could provide you with excellent outdoor living space. Good luck!

A new staircase leading to a new (and grander) door above the basement door (not the colonial style in the photo, but a style in keeping with the exterior architecture). What you basically have is an English basement (English basement door opens to front yard, walk-out basement door opens to back yard). Typically, the front door is directly above the English basement door and a staircase (or double staircases) leads guests up to the front door. Front door and its trim are more elaborate than basement door so it is clear it is the front door. If you have the budget for staircase and to cut a new front door on the second level, and the new door will not interfere with your existing fixtures (like kitchen counters) where the new door would go, then this would solve your “flat” exterior issue. The picture is too colonial for your style house, but I posted it so you see the idea.

A front door and staircase and tall potted plants like this one over a new MCM basement door is in keeping with your architecture.