Hi Homebound, replied to your post over in windows and followed your link over here. A lot of wonderful ideas here! Your original idea of what to do in the front sounds real good. I would keep the trees too, it is so rare to have two large trees nowadays. I cannot see where they are relative to the edge of your yard and sidewalk but if they are far enough to the middle of the yard, I would build a nice wood covered patio designed around the trees. In other words, when it is done, it will look like you trucked in the trees to complement the structure. A nice low picket fence or rod-iron or ranch style along the front marks a nice boundary and also provides security. If you need the grass for children, I would then plant low brush along fence line to prevent people from being able to just hop over. An alternative will be to convert some of the lawn into flower beds and install secluded seating areas. It is nice to have a place like this where you can just do as you please from scratch! Have fun!

i'm sorry. no, we have the brick picked out. i'm just wondering about the siding that goes on our dormers, etc. that house that i found in the above pic is about 20 minutes from where we are building, but it's the only house that i can find that has both white siding, white front porch, almond windows, and almond trim. i'm thinking now that i may stick with the almond trim that will go along with the windows, but then add an off white (possibly BM lancaster whitewash or something) as the front porch and siding color. that wouldn't be so STARK and stick out so much. i do love the black. i think it just looks so classic and of course, it looks wonderful with our roof color. our contractor said today that they are going to start bricking tomorrow. so, i'll be able to have a pic of the house with the actual brick on it, instead of some that i've applied from another home. thank you all so SO much for your opinions and comments. i need them! since i'm now a stay at home mom. . . .all my buddies still teach school, so i sit here and think about all these crazy decisions and drive myself insane! my sweet hubby says he doesn't care. as long as we stay in budget. . . .so he's not the greatest help!

My concern with a black and white scheme and the look you are going for is this: the typical "modern farmhouse" or other white with black window houses generally have pretty balanced massing (if not nearly symmetrical on some elevation), and a uniform window size and placement. Your house, a 1970s rancher has a functionalist window placement, sizing and placing the windows based on the inside needs first, rather than the facade, and the windows are kind of small compared to wall area, which is also typical of the style of house you have. I am not sure but I think a pure black/white scheme would emphasize some things in not such a good way. I would consider reversing the scheme in a way and doing a grey house with white trim, unless you are going to enlarge the existing windows and add more. Or a white house with grey trim, not something so high contrast.

Good gravy about the metal frame, i call for a saws all and just buck it back to the wall if you cant get the bolts out. lol. ponies need lots of sun, or they wont give you enough flowers to make it worth their while. So I'm not sure if they will work for you here. you probably get some morning sun in the front but im not sure. Paint your front door black is no good for your cute house. As to the shutters I would just remove them. Instead of white trim I might fancy a sage green or leave it as is once you remove the shutters white will be too plain IMO. You really need a good landscape plan, ex: there is no path from the front door, and that will be a big factor into the garden design. https://www.gardenia.net/plant-combinations/hardiness-zones/7