More pics…..

I would want a porch that went all the way across the front. I am betting it probably had one originally.

Will the porch be used or will it just be for aesthetics? It looks like you have to walk down stairs to get to a path to the front door. Where would one enter the porch in this scenario? If a porch went across the front it would block light from coming in the windows and it sounds like your friend wants more light not less.

Get to a real lumberyard and look for a wood door. That steel door is awful. I agree with cat_ky, porch all the way across.

A door like this one will allow more light into the house, and it looks appropriate.

Two other versions.

" Seeing the plaque by the door makes me wonder if the house is under a historic designation that limits her rights to change the facade "

I would agree but the hideous steel door tends to lead me the other way.

The plaque doesn't appear to be official, just something owners added on. But historic designations can happen after previous owners have already altered a house. It might fall within an area designated "historic" only recently, rather than be a landmark. Most of the houses in a 2 mile radius of where I live are 300 years old, so there is a historic designation -- which means I can't change anything on my house visible from the road without permission of the local planning board, even though my house is 30 years old.

I agree about seeing if there is some info as to what the house looked like originally. If the plaque is there for a reason then all things done will have to pass a commitee to do anything to the exterior for sure. A nice wood door in the style that was ooriginal would be perfect but where you live IMO dictates the door choice too. The house looks a bit like an 1800's saltbox style and they rarely had large front porches so maybe google that style

Cat, Kendrah, Millworkman, Mytwocents, RedRyder, Patricia C, these are all EXCELLENT points, thank you! I will share all with her, and BTW the doors by Red Ryder are gorgeous. ❤️

Which direction does the front door face?

Light is being blocked by two things: the porch roof and the small tree in front of it. Houses built in 1856 often did not have any foundation shrub plantings. Another thing to consider is the possible effect on the foundation of roots from the three small trees (one in front, one on each side). It might be a good idea to remove those trees. A seasonal burst of bloom with daffodils and tulips would be beautiful.

Grandview Garden · More Info

Good question ApplePieOrder, I believe the front door faces east. In addition they’d like to remove those 3 trees for the very reasons you mentioned, thank you!

If the owner wants the most light possible, then a glass awning may work. The Crystal Palace in London was built in the 1850's, so there's some history on the use of glass and iron back then. Both angular and curvy styles are available online. Some additional inspirational photos at https://thecanopyshop.co.uk/product/contour/

Door and Window Awning Solid, Clear · More Info

Maybe the right portico style will occur to her/all of us later on. The above plexiglass one looks wrong for such an old house - even though it solves the “no light” problem.

Definitely find out if your home is under restrictions. Many plaques are just “honorable mention” but do not have rules attached. Some, as was said, are strict about front exposure changes only.

Thanks Red Ryder!

Taller porticos would let in more light and the house is fairly wide. Very important, though, is that the angle of a portico should echo the angle of the roofline on the right--same degree of angles. Note below how beautiful landscaping highlights the front door.

Transitional Front Yard - Mequon · More Info

This tall, flat roof portico might work. The beefy pillars enhance the historical façade. Note the front garden beds.

Front Foundation Planting · More Info

This one is beautiful but, again, the angles should echo right roofline.

White Colonial House · More Info

No portico.

Cape Cod Whole House Renovation · More Info

Housegal200 great options, thank you!

Would be interesting to know if the house was ever a true saltbox, and what is now being used as the front door was formerly a side door., and an addition with a 2d story was built to the left of that side door that changed the roof line.

If it was a true saltbox, there might be some evidence of a former front door on the right side of the house we can't see. Any photos of that side of the house?

A gabled porch roof would look so much better than the shed roof.

At cilantro, we do think it originally was a salt box and added on. I’ll see if I can’t get more pics of the other side of the house!

Consider a wrap around porch which would look stellar!

A big porch would be nice if your friend can afford it. If not, a simple overhang or small porch can still be very nice and stylish. It needs to be higher than her current one, which will let in a bit more light.

It wouldn't suprise me if this was a property that had been subdivided and parcels sold off, and not much space was left around this house, perhaps too little for a wrap-around porch. Look at the fence lines

Doesn't look possible to put a porch on the right side of the house if the fence is the property line. Plus there seems to be a significant drop-off.

@Emily 's suggested photos are quite in keeping with the style and age of the house. Raising the porch roof level would let more light in. The owner can estimate how often the rain would hit the door during big storms from the east if the porch roof were less sheltering than the current one.

Agree with housegal - if the portico was peaked like the roof, it would look better.

Is the fence the property line?

Red Ryder, I’ll ask her. She’s trying to log on to view all of your fabulous suggestions, and questions!