Im very confused as to why if you can get the stone in place you didnt apply the same siding since you are painting it all?

Hi! Thanks for commenting! I would have to ”rob Peter to pay Paul” and take the stone off from the lower level of the two-story part and install it on the old front door area. As to why there is vertical siding on the old front door area, my husband made this decision. We can use the wood there for another project.

What are your thoughts on siding the entire area around the four windows with planks? Thanks again!

Personally I would have just left the old door on and then fabricated a old style

Hi! The door door was moved due to to needs and flow of the space. I’m excited to move forwad with the new location and designation of rooms. Thanks!

Those narrow windows are tragic as it looks like you are on a lovely lot with no neighbors on top of you. Have you ever considered changing the windows to something larger?

Good morning! We are focusing on other areas, but yes, it is a lovely lot-8 acres, trout steam, fields, forest. It’s also a second home with a more mindful budget for my family. Thanks!

Just thinking make it a dummy door, looks real but doesnt function. the vertical slats are just so out of pace, its always going to look like an afterthought. i would really say, talk to the DH and say put shingles there. Or why not a window and fill in with the stone at the bottom. than you would have cause for the vertical slats around the other square windows? Otherwise, fill in the bottom with field stone and paint the top half then new house color. Oh and you need to remove those lights that are next to the old door as well. Then with landscape you can put a shrub there that will disguise it.

We went ahead with painting—most budget friendly and easiest solution. Have some landsc in place.

looks good I agree I would break up the old entry walk way and expand the bed maybe put in a forsythias would be a bold flower to play off the dark background.

also I would remove the lights from either side of that door and just cap them and paint the cap the wall color.

Update! First of all, thanks for all the ideas! My mom and I completed the stone by new front foor and transplanted grasses and black—eyed Susans. Need to complete ledge above rocks, remainder of landscaping project and paint second story. Next up is building a stoop in front of the door. Any ideas sbout size for stoop? Thanks again!

What if you did like a half moon shape or half circle shape to kind of break up all the straight edges and brought it out a little further to create some design element

Make it as wide as the stone on each side of the door. Curved might work, lay it out with some stones to get the best length from the house

The ideas from everyone served as great inspiration. We ended up installing a French drain, thus creating a larger garden area than originally planned. The birch saplings will hopefully grow and provide a soft view looking at the front if the house. I still need to create a walkway with pavers to the front door and finish painting, but it close enough for us to feel a real sense of accomplish and joy when we pull into the driveway.

Before

After

Before

After (almost all covered up! ”Painter’s Tape Blue” paint!)

Before

After

I enjoyed reading people’s ideas and comments, then asking myself, ”How can I translate this or that into my DIY reality budget?” 😊