Thanks so much for the feedback! It seems there are two schools of thought: keep it simple b/c there's already a lot going on vs. add extra table etc. I'm still waffling about the shelf, myself! :-) I like the idea of adding a mirror because it will probably help to brighten the space. Also, I could easily check how I look (or whatever) before heading out instead of running down to the bathroom (nearest mirror). Re: the tape--> It's the blue tape from when they textured and painted the wall. I would take it off except we need to re-texture part of it again. teacats--> which wall are you referring to--the wall closest to the door or the wall more recessed from the front door (I think the first wall I see is the recessed wall)? I COMPLETELY agree about the clock. I've never found anything I like so I just keep the old clock. Also, a bigger clock would be easier to read :-) mjlb--> you're right about all the moulding etc; I'm looking for a cheap fix though, so painting out the doors is probably what I'll do for now. We do have to replace the closet door b/c it has a hole in it so that will be the time for the moulding. All our old interior door mouldings match the closet but whoever put in the new front and garage doors changed it. evaperconti--> I like your idea about the console table w/bench underneath and a chair by the door. I've been scanning Craigslist but, so far, nothing. Plant won't work, unfortunately, but I could try for some other vertical element. So many great ideas!!! You guys have given me a lot to think about and helped me to see the entry a little differently. Thanks so much :-)

Kitchen is only 13' wide--nothing but a shallow stud-bay pantry will fit on the bottom wall between DR and entry, if an island with seating is used. 156" - 25" (base cabinets) - 42" aisle - 42" island with seating - 44" (minimum) aisle = 3". I switched the pantry and dish hutch, but that means the dish hutch is on the other side of the range from the DW. We don't know where groceries come into the house--if from the back door, the pantry is convenient just inside. The island could move over toward the short wall, then fridge and a shallow counter for landing could go between the DR and entry doors. That could be a snack center, with a MW on a shelf:

A combo of three types of shrubs in clumps, two evergreen and two blooming. For evergreens, look at small rhodies like the smallest PJM cultivar, 'Checkmate' which in 10 years in my garden has remained at 3' in all directions, one of the smaller coniferous evergreens such as a slow-growing or small Thuja or Chamaecyparis. There are small Kalmia/Mountain Laurel cultivars which will be a bit more $ in general. Deciduous shrubs could include plants such as the smaller red-twigged dogwood cultivars like 'Kelseyii' or smaller Hydrangea paniculata including 'Bobo' or early 'Quickfire' or even one of the 3'-4' spiraeas which have flowers, some have blue or gold summer foliage, and many have autumn color. Fothergilla 'Mount Airy' hasn't exceeded 4' in my garden in 10+ years, and it has early spring flowers along with stunning late fall color. Underplanted with an attractive groundcover like Veronica 'Georgia Blue' or Carex 'Ice Dance' or Geranium 'Biokovo' or for a bit more money, hakone grass AKA Japanese forest grass, it would have all season interest but be low maintenance and be a bit more interesting than builder grade without looking out of place. I think everything I recommended will be fine in morning sun followed by the kind of bright shade that a light wall but nothing overhanging provides. Good on you for trying to introduce some interest to a boring wall! PS - addition shade for annual gatherings can be provided by pop ups or tents if needed, and as trees grow, they can add to that. Just sayin' . . . I still think one taller plant set off center would really help ground that building. Consider a flowering dogwood, one of the midsized crabs that retains its fruit, or something like a basswood, hornbeam, or hophornbeam.

@Keepthefaith MIGirl I won't be touching the brick/grout :-) but I do appreciate different points of view. What isn't obvious is that the brick that is on the wall is also on the floor in front of the slider and I didn't want light/white grout on the floor. Also, if you look closer at the brick (it's more visible in this pic), you'll see that some of the bricks are etched with city names. I didn't want the grout competing with this detail. Oh, and ignore the bat that's being used as a lock hahahaha