Weiyan8--we're building just barely over the northern part of the county line, due north of R. We have 1.5 acres and for the first time I am realizing how much yard work I'm going to be doing! Yikes. So, right now in this heat, your .47 acres looks good :-) And you're right--that IS a good sized lot for your area. One house we were interested in there at your sub/div was in the Parade of Homes last year, but the houses were way too close around it. I've probably driven past your house, but because it's still under construction, not paid much attention to it. I drive through when I need ideas--first exterior colors, then front door stain, and now landscape ideas. I'm always driving through yours and H.C. sub/div for ideas because it's so close to our apt. You do have a nice commute, and my husband is going to miss it. (Aren't you glad that road got re-surfaced before you moved in? We had a bad 5-mile stretch--worse than GLTD if you can belive it--that JUST got re-done. Perfect timing). I'll post some pics later. Since our grading was done, the height of our porch is much better, but I don't have a pic of it lately. It looks like you have at least 1 more step than we do. If you have little ones, I'd probably put up the rails--maybe even in my situation, but I don't. It's exciting to get so close to move-in, isn't it? Good luck and hope you enjoy your new home. Tracey

My 1960's rancher has the original metal (steel, I assume) porch posts and railings, which have some surface rust and needs attention. You've seen these railings before -- boring black scrollwork that was all the rage. I am reaching out to 3 local metalwork companies for quotes on restoring the railings now with sandblasting and powdercoating. The second option is manual rust removal and painting, either DIY or paying a pro. Is there another restoration option I should be considering?

How about renting a jamb saw (look online at Home Depot.? Not sure how you would disguise that spot, though...if you can chisel enough out, then maybe you can fill it with cement and/or a smaller stone? It will take some work and a lot of patience to find what you need though. Sometimes it's so great to hire this kind of stuff out! But I'm tenacious and I would try it. We had a back deck that we were originally going to put a rail around but decided not to...I loved how it looked open and spacious. Your porch would look so nice without the rails and a flower bed in the front... Pretty house!

Just throwing out some considerations. I’m having a hard time imagining glass on these steps; what is the plan with the small gap to pillars. Your inspiration picture has a natural end on the stairs and I think you would have to extend yours. I also think the look below would be more complementary to your home’s style. I wouldn’t be selecting based on your rationale: It won’t start a new trend, not doing won’t date the house and it will remain the same overall. If you love the idea, that’s a different thing. The back stairs can be different.