That's a great idea about the cards OJ. You are very kind. I don't want to post an address here but if anyone wants to send a card email me through my page and I will give the address. Work address won't do. Our office is close after tomorrow until after New Years. Leslie, all the dogs were safe from the beginning. 7 were in the kennel away from the house and the 3 that were inside and Simon got out through the doggie door. The agent was the idiot that was telling them they couldn't stay there and had to go to an apartment. The insurance adjuster told them to ignore him. I think they may be getting a mobile home until they can rebuild. I don't know the details but I think it will take awhile to get that in place because of the holidays. They are still having trouble getting an electrician to get power to the barn, greenhouses and well pump. I don't know why he didn't do it when he came out to put the breakers and outlets to use for the camper. Linda

Fresh and lovely. Nice update to a lake house. Please post the final outcome.

Is one side of the duplex to be your residence or is this intended as a rental investment? If you are keeping it as a duplex, two matching doors is a great idea. Add a full width 6' deep covered porch and full width front steps with a 6' deep full width ground level concrete slab landing ... all divided by a center railing. Then outline the sidewalk with bricks or pavers buried so only their tops are exposed. Consider creating a small private patio area on each side of the entry box for each tenant -- not concrete but a mix of pavers with grass in between them ... easily mowed. https://www.houzz.com/photos/outdoor-fire-pit-with-concrete-grass-pavers-modern-patio-orange-county-phvw-vp~20847724 You might consider beginning a green privacy hedge in front of the landing slab (leaving an opening at the sidewalk, of course) to add more privacy for the patio for each renter -- could be a good selling point for some. Consider a shrub (w/o briars) that keeps its leaves and looks good year round that will grow well in that geographic location. Would Aucuba bushes grow in your planting zone? Agree with another comment that painting all the exterior siding on the entire structure one color with one trim color would be a good idea. If the upstairs siding is still in good shape, consider using that neutral color and all white trim. Paint the downspouts that same color. While I like trees in the yard, I agree with a prior post: those trees are too close to the foundation. Would remove all the landscaping man made "things" -- those white border / outline pieces for the planting areas, etc. -- and focus, at least initially, on creating the perfect lawn all around the structure. If those are Forsythias (shrubs with yellow blooms), keep them but consider trimming them at the appropriate time to create a more dense shrub -- check out care instructions on line. You might consider moving any and all shrubs planted against the building away from the building and planting them elsewhere.

It's SO sweet, I adore it. I think you just need a few simple additions. A wood awning over the porch with black metal railing (or wood rails). Or if you don't need a porch awning, get a little one for just above the door. Nothing is worse than trying to unlock your door in the rain. Add some new landscaping and paving stones of course. Keep it simple! I'm all for painting ugly brick, but yours is not ugly. Red brick is classic and timeless. I like the idea of sticking with a traditional look like Housegal's suggestions above. But your house is a simple enough design that you could also take it in a slightly more modern direction if you wanted to: