SFGate

houssaon The small things that you can do is to remove the address numbers from the door and get ones for the stone wall. Paint the front door an inviting color. Bright colors like these: Blue Christmas door Entry Between Naps on the Porch

The biggest change would be to go for more traditional windows. Replace the front door with some thing like this: Prehung Double Door 96 Knotty Alder Catalina Arch Top Arch Lite

maharaj4126 So sorry for the delay in replying. We are going for more of a contemporary look to match the interior (black shaker cabinets, white caesorstone counters, pecan wood flooring). Any ideas on how to make it more contemporary/westcoast elegant?

pruner Consider moving the two shrubs at the top of the first flight of stairs to the lower garden bed so they 'end up' lower than the wall. This would open out the actual entry way ready for a colour ' such as the yellow door pictured previously. Flank the doors with low-growing yellow flowers in large(r) pots by the door and where the shrubs are/were. Paint all the railings black. Good luck!

Elise Paint is your most affordable option! Contemporary West Coast style usually highlights some natural wood color and contrast of materials. You might not be able to change siding now. Bright pops of color on the doors and horizontal banding on the house can highlight architectural features. You have a great double door with sidelites. Emphasize the entry with color. You can also consult with designers and architects who can photoshop paint colors onto a photo of your home for a reasonable fee. They can also help you stage changes to fit your budget.

Currently grays and blues are hot combinations. Think about your house with the gray brick, in a navy blue painted siding with black railing, white trim, and a bold colored door. Bright green and orange come to mind. More exotic tropical plantings could make a huge difference in your entry. Definitely consult with a landscape architect or designer/installer on appropriate plants for your area.

Lighting your entry appropriately will make a huge difference in safety and beauty at night.

kevinbrown i think it works well

maharaj4126 Elise, thank you for some inspiring ideas! I'm wondering if you are suggesting to paint all the siding navy blue? Never thought of that color but it would work well with brick!

Elise Yes, painting all the siding navy blue would work well. Consider putting a wide trim board at level with the roofline of the porch around the sides (the waistline) of the house. That would break up the massive side walls visually and carry the trim line just above the windows (which could also use wider horizontal trim).

Your home implies almost a West Coast Asian Contemporary theme to me. I think it is the porch roofline and the entry doors. Looks like you have a hipped roof or a flat roof? Can't tell from the photos.

It looks like you have a basement apartment entrance also? Relocating the rhododendrons from the street level stairs, to the side yard on the left and creating an outdoor space for your tenant would be a good move. Planting a single feature tree, that doesn't obscure the view from the main level (if there is a view?) on the LH side as well (Japanese Maple?). Colored grasses on each side of the walk and four, lovely, planted urns on each side of the entry stairs, both lower and upper level would be a great start to improved landscaping.