@Anna & @NHBabs- I was trying to say add an above window pergola...not add a window =) We definitely don't have the room for that inside. I think with Dougs design a pergola would be too much though. We can definitely do a smaller, more affordable version of that gorgeous front deck. We are experienced DIYers and can do much or all of the work ourselves and with a few changes its completely affordable. I actually have more of the pavers from our walkway that can be added to the front area to widen that landing out some, though we won't go as wide on the left side as is shown because our yard gets narrower there against the neighbors yard. We can do stone that matches our existing stone out back on the steps and instead of stone columns we can do thick wood posts with black metal caps, and the affordable black aluminum railings that we had planned anyway, which would match our new back deck perfectly. We have considered stone in the chimney at some point in the future, though it won't be next year. It won't be quite as grand as Dougs design but gives a very similar look for alot less $$. I think to the left of the door we can add a long, covered, decorative bench box for wood storage in that space. That way we have wood for a week in the winter without trudging to the fire wood shelters out back every day or so. (We have 2 wood stoves that get used alot in the winters here.) We never use our entrance unless we are going out the front door for mail, and all our friends use the back entrance as there is ample parking out there. I can see us sitting out there on the deck with a glass of wine in the shade though. Since the only visitors we get out front are deliveries and people selling stuff, we probably don't need to add anything for sheltering them lol. Still struggling with house color. Currently its a pale yellowish color my husband hates (ditto for me) and it clashes with our new stone. We were thinking maybe something more earthy in a brown/gray...meaning not just brown or gray, something with a mix of both. Or maybe a darker beige. We'd like to darken it up a bit. The shingles are a dark gray but do have a little brown/tan in them along with the black and gray. Its called Canadian Driftwood.

The details are difficult to see in the low resolution photo but if there is crown molding under the overhang it would be further evidence of the contractor’s ignorance. A crown molding belongs at the top of the cornice. What you need is a scaled section drawing so we can offer real solutions. That’s what should have been in the drawings in the first place and it’s the only way you will be able to fix this problem. If that’s too difficult take a better photo and note the dimensions on it. It shouldn’t be difficult to make this thing look better.

My main complaint about the existing setup is that where exactly one goes, and how one enters, is a mystery until one gets quite close to the house. The existing walk looks nice, but the layout so close to the house is a foundation planting killer ... except to flip things around and do foundation planting outside of the walk, and suffer obscuring the entrance(s). To do it that way is not helped by the fact of two doors, and that the main entrance is probably the second door that people would come to. A pergola or portico would help, but it wouldn't cure the aforementioned issues.

This is a much deeper bumpout than yours and covers what may be a back porch, but just to give you some ideas about how to handle incorporating it better and making a substantial entry there. Gather ideas and accurate measurements; then take photos and inspiration pix to a good architect who can design a fitting look for your specific home. You could put a portico like this underneath the bumpout and add some softening curves with new steps,curved railings and landscaping. I would pay special attention to the concrete block retaining wall and stairs so they fit with the new portico/porch and look less utilitarian. Here's a classic treatment... Two ideas for adding a wide front porch that surrounds the bumpout or tucks up under it, depends on height underneath.