SFGate

mmilos I love your traditional red house. I wouldn't add a cover over the porch...it would mess up the simple, classic lines. A larger stone stoop, steps and curving path would be nice. What about painting the front door a blue gray color?

Minimize emphasis on the side door via landscaping...obscure it with a small tree/ large shrub.

olldbobbi Front porches are amazing! They're a great way to unwind after work and talk to friends and neighbors. I have a typical California ranch and if I had the $$$ I would add one in a flash. Here's an example, and with great windows too: [houzz=
]

houssaon There is not much space, because your windows are large, but you might have enough room for a portico like this: Crisp Architects Although, I would not put the side and transome lights around your door. Or a scaled down version of this: Dutch Colonial House and Home lottery house

This is another design (my choice of the group) that would work well for your house: Portico and Walkway

You could actually build a small pergola and porch for the side door.

The walkway to the main door should be separate from the side door. Have a brick or bluestone walkway come directly in a gentle curve further down the driveway to the front door. Remove the connection between the two walkways (or leave just a few stepping stones.) Paint the front door royal blue or black. See for black with red (NOT this style though - what you have is fine): Exterior Renovations Paint the storm door, not the surrounding trim, black.
See for blue door: Jane Kilpatrick Schott

olldcan Oh it's so cute, I love it and my prayers have been answered, just once please no suggesting a red door. I wouldn't do a roof or portico, leave well enough alone. I would consider a larger top landing on the step or patio to connect the two sets of stairs. What about a door that's mostly glass with a dutch door for the side door.

momofaith I wouldn't cover the front door with porch, etc. It would decrease indoor light and spoil your amazing clean lines. Agree - the red is timeless - black dutch would be fab. Also, agree that front stoop could be larger & you could get a classic brick picking up your red and the black. Beautiful home.

9022951240 I think your doors and windows are fine, your house is very dominant (good) but your step is rather wimpy for the house

shirbit I think havng hand rails, big chunky ones, in white would add something to the front and create a longer walkway vs that small front step. I don't think there is room to create a covered entrance . I think the landscaping is what is going to make this work.

Phancy Design Keep it simple! The home is spectacular already. A black front door - some height on either side with a potted shrub or the like and I am certain you'll be good to go! At most, extend the front stoop to make it wider and deeper but it needs minimal change. It's extraordinary!

Susan Gahagan I think you just need to make the front door "stronger" than the side door. Start with a larger stoop. Add a large pediment above the door and maybe two sidelights...or at least more detailed, wider trim. http://historicsurvey.lexingtonma.gov/images-areas/battle-green-door-pediment.jpg

Katelyn Fay I would love to see a black door for your front door! Craftsman style.

kwwells I love the simplicity is the house. I would go black with both doors and add a traditional heavy wrought iron rail to both sides of the front stoop.

Carla Chagas I would build a pergola over the side door, to filter the light and break the flatness of the facade a bit. I would change the front door to a traditional wood panel in black with side glass and the trimming in white, I agree that the landing should be more substantial, a small portico would bring a lot of interest and architetural value.

woofwoof The red is so vibrant and looks so sharp with the white trim, any more color might seem busy (except maybe black). But going to a door with windows is always nice, as long as they work with your existing window style. I like the ones with 3 or 4 small windows at the top of the door to let in light but still give you privacy. Your stoops and pathways and shrubs however, are tired. Some beautiful gray flagstone to cover both stoops and do the path in the same stone would add some rustic polish. Maybe even extend the path off to the left as well? Then get serious about the shrubs under the windows all along the front of the house, especially that left corner where you need something with a bit of height. More, thicker, taller, maybe something that turns color or flowers in the spring.

dcekbom Thank you so much for all of your wonderful ideas! It is so helpful!

donnakca black black black, gold hardware!!!

tambela If you spend enough time outside then a porch would be a great addition.Also if you like to decorate for the holidays they are fun to dress up. I like the suggestions for doors with side panels.Your landscaping needs to be upgraded at some point. The trees are mature but all the rest of your landscaping is either very new or the wrong size. A wider path of flagstone or brick lined (you could do for so much less by using existing concrete) and good landscape lighting would be a great addition. The window boxes are cute but they look out of proportion to the windows. They need to be a little larger. I wouldn' t change the size of the side door. You wouldn't want to draw any attention to it.

decoenthusiaste Here's your entry! If you don't care for this one, google "images salt box houses," to find other authentic ones for your beautiful home. Do agree that knock out landscaping would be the perfect touch.

decoenthusiaste Sorry it is so small - only a thumbnail transferred, but if you look for the images suggested, you'll be able to see it up close. There are black lanterns at each side and the stoop is black.

judyg German-style Bank Barn Conversion

You want windows in your front door; get a full view with mullions. Have a wonderful chandelier in the entry hall to show off at night. Keep it white. it is the garage doors that I would change. Paint them red like the house and add some kind of trim. Put the pergola over the garage doors.

garage

kjdick I agree with Susan, that the front door needs a stronger presence. You just need a little more oomph. A medium to lighter stained wood door with glass panels would be beautiful with the red. Gray would be a nice alternative to black if you are not sure about the black.
PS : we have a glass nine panel front door. Love it! I wasn't sure when we first moved in. Now I really enjoy that it's not like the other cookie cutter entry doors.
You have a beautiful house. Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will turn out great!

Total Home Repair A grand porch across the front would do wonders,why not spice it up a little????

oceanmajesty you could add matching burgandy awnings over each door. If you want to spend money add a porch across the front

Julane The front door isn't bad, but beefier trim would be elegant. The main thing is change that front stoop and spice up the landscaping. You don't necessarily need a front porch, but how charming would a slate or flagstone porch look? Then add in some white handrails. I really like the white door. It keeps it crisp like the windows. If you want a new door, I'd love a classic oak-stained door with windows up top. If you go black then you need to change the storm door to black and that would just sink into the house instead of stand out. There's no other black on the house to tie it in. There's already so much going on with all the windows and the beautiful backdrop. The problem is definitely the stoop and lack of landscaping.

Julane Here's a great pic of a beefed up trim.

Julane And a faraway shot

Mari Becker Black Door & Black Shutters and more substantial light fixtures - maybe a Nickel to give some pop.

pharvey I hope you post the finished product ! Lots of great ideas here ! I vote for black door and beef up white trim ! Would look elegant !

pharvey I hope you post the finished product ! Lots of great ideas here ! I vote for black door and beef up white trim ! Would look elegant !

dat architecture I would add a porch with sitting area covering the whole width of the front wall. If you need any help don't hesitate to contact me.

Something as american as this http://xroads.virginia.edu/~class/am483_97/projects/cook/porch4.jpg

HELENA here is a little idea, good luck

cmariam I'm surprised no one has suggested a black batten door... (or maybe I missed it) ... But it would fit..!!

Nick I love your house and have been looking for a design similar to it (but with a wrap around porch no less). Can you tell me where you got the floor plans? If you go with the porch I'd love to see finished pictures! Here is a rough rendering of what your house might look like with a wraparound porch (sorry no door!)

Marie Hamby I like the idea of Porch across the Front Add Columns look like 6] Paint Doors 9 Semi Gloss ( Ink Black Sherwin Williams)

HELENA one more

cmariam You would never want to compromise the integrity of that beautiful salt box house with a French door. That is SO out of place..!

Donald How about a navy front door, paint the side door the same color as the house but leaving trim white and a canvas awning over the front door

Lanie Brown A blue door is perfect! Here's the link to a traditional New England salt box I'm in the process of selling. The Seller has done a spectacular job with every detail. http://www.har.com/AWS/AWSF.cfm?tgt=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch%2Ehar%2Ecom%2Fidx%2FdoSearch%2Ecfm%3Fclass%3D1%26leadid%3D3%26ALLMLS%3DN%26siteType%3DAWS%26cid%3D591294

Lanie Brown Sorry, the link goes to all my listings. Select 3219 Little Bear to see interior pics. This isn't a sales pitch because the home went into contract quickly. It's just a truly special home I want to share with New England salt box fans.

Appalachian Woodwrights Wow, you have a beautiful home. We specialize in custom made doors, and love to do doors for remodels and facelifts. Go to our website www.appwooddoors.com and look at some of our exterior doors and remodel doors. Then call Dennis or send a quote request from website we would love to talk to you about making that great first impression! Thanks in advance Kim

tsudhonimh The problem I see with your front door is that the white garage doors overwhelm it.

Paint them to match the house and your front door will look much better.

ibchristian74 1) De-emphasize the white garage doors or replace them something more visually appealing. They seem rather plain. The pergola over the doors is a nice touch, but not in white.
2) Paint the door a deep navy and consider removing the storm door. If the storm door is there because the main door is of poor quality, then replace it if needed. I find storm doors are very detracting from the look of a front entry.
3) Bridge the front and side entryway. I think a deep front porch that connects both entryways would unify the those elements and make the garage structure look more integrated. Plus, adding a covered porch would add visual dynamics to a rather flat facade and create a very welcoming feel if done right!
4) If the porch isn't in the budget, then I agree you need a grander front stoop. Keep in mind you want people to be able to stand on the stoop and allow you to open the door for them to enter. There is simply not enough room with the current stoop and people are going to knock on your door and then have to step down in order for to let them in???? Again, the storm door opening outward adds to this issue.....

butlera10 Yellow for your door! A warm, saffron hued color, a shade warmer than the mums sitting next to your door, and just slightly desaturated, not quite as intense. You already have the perfect color palette right in front of you, in the flowers on your step. Although, I would agree with the other viewers not to add a huge porch, no more than a pergola, as one of the beauties of your house is the clean face of it. Widening and softening your front step with a natural fieldstone pad and steps would look wonderful with the traditional style as well.

reneehawkins414 What about a grey front door to match the roof? Then you could do the side door in a lighter shade of gray or just keep it white so it blends in with the windows. My house is a colonial red brick with a black front door but you see more of your roof so the dark gray would be pretty and bring it all together.

reneehawkins414 What about a grey front door to match the roof? Then you could do the side door in a lighter shade of gray or just keep it white so it blends in with the windows. My house is a colonial red brick with a black front door but you see more of your roof so the dark gray would be pretty and bring it all together.

Simpkins & Associates, Inc. It is a charming home. Unlike some of the other comments, I like the white. Paint the front door a deep charcoal gray (almost black) to pick up on the roof color. I would add a pergola in white over the side door and have it come out barely far enough to extend all the way across the front of the garage. It would only need to be about 20" deep over the garage doors. Then the pergola posts on either side of the garage doors could support a nice vine of some sort. If the budget allows I would also switch to carriage house doors. Beef up the front steps - wider and deeper with a grayish stone and consider moving the walkway to sort of a 1/4 circle leading to the driveway. Then use simple stepping stones in the same gray stone leading to the side door from the sidewalk. Add a bit more landscaping and I think you have it!!

judyg Here is a 1930's very traditional home with full view doors. I think it looks wonderful.
cmariam, I think you missed the wish list. The owner wants a windowed door.

sclawson I agree that you need to maintain the integrity of the Salt Box style. Google for images and check out the doorways on historical homes. Sometimes you will see a double front door, but each panel is usually more narrow than a traditional door. How about beefing up the molding around the door and also may the windows? Also consider a six-paneled door with windows in the top 2 panels. You often see such doors on houses like this, with bulls-eye glass in them. Also, true colonial homes would have ONE light beside the front door, but it would be a very large one. Consider this and look for true colonial styles--like an onion lantern.

Color Zen My first thought was a dark gray/almost black door as well... I think the house is really nice as is, I would just expand the entrance steps.

Simpkins & Associates, Inc. It is sort of a contemporary twist but you frequently see 6 panel colonial doors with the panels cut out and replaced with glass. I would consider that for the 4 upper panels in a colonial door. It is both true to the architecture and a bit updated.

Carla Chagas You don't have enough space for shutters, and they would detract from the red a lot, you could paint the garage doors and leave the trim white to recede it a bit. I loved the idea of a white pergola that would extend over the garage, it would look gorgeous and add a lot of interest. I agree that the black or dark gray in the front door would pick the roof color and diminish the negative impact all that white on the doors bring.

aurorawallis considering the space you have...I would paint the door black or gray with a larger trim, bigger lights, and I like the idea of adding handrail and some oversized pots on either side of the stairs.

jwilcox17 Carriage style garage doors with windows would be great. What about a forest or emerald green color on the doors?

pansy704 I like Simpkins & Assoc idea of cut out panels, replace w/glass for front door. What about a Dutch door for the other door w/glass windows on upper 1/2? Not sure if that would be true to Salt Box style...Last, I would definitely extend/widen the front stoop & steps w/Penn bluestone & pick up one of the greys/blues or layer the colors over each other for front door & paint other door slightly lighter shade - add potted plants & larger/historically correct light fixtures by front door w/matching smaller one for other door

mcgrew56 Your home is a BEAUTIFUL example of a saltbox! I wouldn't put a front porch on at all! The "beefed-up" moulding around the front door AND windows would probably give you the "OOMPH" you are looking for--and would deliver more bang for your buck. The more-substantial stoop with stone is a GREAT idea, black/gray front door, and Lanie Brown provided a fabulous example of what the right trim around openings AND incredible landscaping can do for a home like yours. Please don't try to remove that gorgeous saltbox style!

mcgrew56 Oh, AND...saltbox style looks great with a picket fence around the front...

Judy M I would add: clean up those trees in front. remove the lower "sucker" branches to give the trees a nicer shape and perhaps consider removing one to open the view to front of house. Letting in some light will allow any new landscaping that you plant get the light they need to thrive. I would also paint the garage doors to take the focus off of them. Pretty house

mmilos Additions to my very first comment:
Curved bluestone paths, a semi-circular wider entry stoop and curved steps would look amazing. It also would break up all the straight lines of your house. Be informal/assymetrical with the landscape, except on the sides of your front door, go more stately with a pair of taller potted shrubs and new coach lamps flanking both sides. A curved bluestone path to your driveway with a smaller branch path off to your service entrance (could be a gravel path). You might consider the idea of painting your garage doors and trim the same red as your house so they disappear, but I would start with the front door and landscape revisions first to see how it looks.

helenefroula I agree with the blue or black door. I like the idea of a beefed up entry way but not a full porch. It would be like putting braces on an otherwise perfectly pretty face. Beautiful house! You are blessed!

Terri Maines_Theisen I think a black front door with windows would look nice or a blue grey. A nice path & stone steps to the door would look nice or you could add a nice porch.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. yes - larger front stoop - maybe rounded would soften all the hard edges - but colour, landscaping, is simply lovely - good luck!

hotnovember Hello,
Beautiful house. I would not add any roof or portico (really no room for that). If you are into colour the right shade of green or yellow would be stunning, but if you are more of a traditionalist go with the Black. I would definitely increase the size of the step, make it much longer and wider, using wood and stone (paint the wood), with a larger step you could even add a potted ornamental tree next to the door or on a corner. Potted grasses, ideas are endless. Let me know what you come up with me!

millerty1971 I would add a darker color for your front and service doors, also your garage doors as well, maybe even upgrading the garage doors to a style that would really top it all off. I wouldn't, add a porch to the front, I think it would ruin the over all look of your home.

nickelberry Agree with keeping the "Salt Box Integrity" I would try to keep the historical look. So don't get ourageous with french doors or massive windows. Personally I think a more elaborate trim and a door painted in a color that has some contrast against white trim. Maybe a thin border of windows but not much. As for the side door... You want the focus to be drawn to the main entrance. So perhaps paint the door the same color as the main door but use a demure trim. Might even paint the garage doors accordingly. Make them darker.

kzcampbell Black or very deep gray blue. And beefier trim every where.

needhamwarwick Don't mess too much with a classic home! A new door with sidelights , would be great, but I think it would probably mess with your interior. Just get a traditional colonial front door (wood)with the windows at the top. I think that the problem is not the door itself- there are a couple of adjustments to the exterior that would improve the look tremendously.
Did you notice that the red siding of your house continues underneath your front door? It makes it appear to be floating!! A piece of plain white board below the door (cellular pvc looks exactly like wood and does not rot or draw termites) would make it look right.
This would also help elongate your entrance, and make the (beautiful) lanterns appear to be higher, as they are just a bit too low.
The drop off of land to the left exposes alot of foundation, which is an unnecessary distraction. Add some shrubbery along there.
I think that your garage doors are perfect for the house. They go with the style without drawing undue attention to themselves.Don't get gimmicky with them.
The side door seems fine You want to be able to find it, but it should not be the star.
Your front doorway should be the most attractive feature, by far. Unfortunately, someone got skimpy when it came to the hardscape. The cement stairs are very unattractive, and the pavers are not only cheap looking, but also not placed well. If you invested in a real brick entrance and stairs, with a beautiful walkway to the street, you would be you would be sending out a beautiful welcome. (The walkway should be generous enough for two people to walk abreast.)
You could also do bluestone, but stay away from flagstone- the irregular shapes and colors would not work.) Good luck
Just be careful not to hitch onto the latest fad- be faithful to the classic look, and use rich looking details.

judyg dcekbom, I notice that you haven't chimed in on all these suggestions :) Your original post was that you wanted a door with windows. Do you still? I've located a picture of a 1600's saltbox with an entry. There are windows on each side, probably there to address the light and bad weather.

There are a lot of comments here about "integrity", and understand those remarks. As the owner of an early 1800's half Cape I have tried to stay as true as possible to design. But as this is the 21st century and many things in these old homes are longer environmentally reasonable, choices have to be made accordingly.

As long as you are not in a Historic District, do whatever you need to make your house work for you. You already have a two car garage attached to your house....
http://www.amesburytreasures.tnsing.com/page30.html

kwwells Still loving the simplicity of the house. Sometimes less is more. I do agree with the comment earlier about continuing the white down to the stoop so the door does not appear to be floating. My opinion of door color, however, has not changed. Both front and side go black, along with the storm doors, unless the front storm can be removed as to not take away from it. Adding a traditional heavy black wrought iron rail to both sides of the stoop would be a lovely addition to this house.

Jim Lamb Beautiful, classic house. I love it! Make the porch a little larger, paint the door a high-gloss black and add railings to the porch. Stay with the six-panel colonial and add the six-light colonial storm door and paint it the high-glass black also.
Bring the walk way out from the front door to the drive-way. Move it away from the garage entrance. This will let guests know to come to the front door and they will not have to drive up to the garage to get to the walk.
This is beautiful...please don't mess it up. There is such a thing as "remuddling"!

fredericklc Your house is beautiful just the way it is. I agree with the high gloss black door idea and a bigger front porch. But I wouldn't add railings. To me it would mess up the lines of the house. I also think you could leave your home just the way it is and everyone of us posting here would be just as jealous. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us.