Exterior of house needs help- any suggestions?

i love the stone! Perhaps a good cleaning , remove the awning and change the white to a more rustic complimentary color. I would also change the porch pillar to a square wooden that is more rustic. Perhaps cedar.

What's the budget like?

Donna, the curb appeal can be changed many ways, depending on your budget.

initially you could whitewash the stone, add shutters and window boxes and landscape under the front. The metal awning supports could be boxed out to appear more substantial. If money wasn't an issue, you could extend the roofline over those front windowsand entryway, removing the awning in the front and creating a wonderful front porch. Columns could enhance the elevation and landscape would be a huge addition. In any instance, changing the stone would immediately update the exterior.

The ideas of enclosing the columns from iron to wood or stone are definitely critical. I too would remove the awning and put in flower boxes but most importantly you need some landscaping to make it warmer.

Paint the awning, sod the yard or turnover the grass and put some seeds down, put another shrub at the other end, trim them, put mulch around the shrubs, from one end to the other (red), put some kind of plants along the fence and new concrete for the walkway

I agree with Cynthia

Nice home. Your garage would have to be on right side opposite your front entry and forward from the house. The yard needs landscaping. Dig out from the front of the house starting with around - and out from - the bush on the right, along the front and a bit down the chain link in a bit of a curvy pattern. Go out a good way so lots of dirt shows after planting. Edging makes the job look professional. Plant a pyramidal cedar (or some similar evergreen that grows skinny) to the left of the house (allow room for growth) and add a smaller shrub (maybe a juniper)to the left by the house and some to the right by the chain link. (This would help balance the large bush on the right side, and the pillar). You could plant perennials under the window area. You may have to add some patio stones for a walk/patio area if you put a garage to the right of the house. If a patio area, you could have seating, plants in big, colourful pots, and some wall art on the garage wall behind. Would not paint the stone on the house - I'd paint the white siding above to a colour nearer the stone colour. Save off-white for trims. I'd also replace the metal awning with a fabric one to kick up the appearance a few notches. The veranda support looks wimpy. A post of some type would look better. Biggest expense would be the garage. This could be done later after the other things. Important thing is to have a plan and just work away at it. Good luck.

Donna, so far you got great ideas to think about....In our State water is an issue, so many are landscaping with river rock or other types, and maybe just sod or seed a designated small area, trees as suggested are a must, so bushes and maybe some big potted plants for the front porch...

for the time being (and budget) the awing can be painted a cheerful color and like the idea of whitewashing the brick.

Look for vines that will do good in your area and plant to climb the posts (until you decide if spend money replacing them)...

First , in my opinion, would be what mentioned above...other things, as long as clean and tidy can wait.... J.M.O

Right..

Enclose one side of the porch and extend it to include garage. then inside the garage create a new entrance that will go thru the old porch into the house

Then paint sage green and some new curtains inside sorts that out.

Outside at the back awning to barbecue area - if allowed - with potted plants and open view to Lake.

I would paint garage....same color as stone.....if you are leaving it same color....eliminate bush.....and have landscape dig out far enough to plant two 5 Gallon plants that have same color as brick....fill in mulch....as perennials with red violet colors.......go to Home Depot and have them cut four treated wood or tree that they built decks and attached to iron post.....live with this for awhile and save up for next project....keep eye out for ideas of replacing awning

Check out complimentary colors for grey...tan/buff color.....the white has to go....and the wood to cover iron should be a grayish like the roof...

Go to seal-Krefeld for textured paint for cement walkway...check colors stonecliff wicker and bay shore....use picture of your home....print it up in black and white....get crayons and start coloring in roof line cement and garage......get an idea.....then do some landscaping......budget is tight....don't want wrong color to have to be repainted...good luck

Remove awning. Replace with an arbor and patio stones connect to small porch. Replace iron post with square post. Do not paint stone. Paint vinyl with color picked form stone. Concrete sidewalk can be gone over with thi set troweled on thin. It'll be like new. Paint color should be like the lightest color in the stone . Post should be close to it so it appears like it is connected. New grass seed.

I meant to say Thin set. The stuff used to install tile. It has latex in it so its great for different weather conditions. I've done this several times plus it has adhesive so it adheres well. Just be sure to clean the concrete.