SFGate

nancy22032 Do you live in the Pacific Northwest? Your woods look like the ones around the home we had. They make such a perfect backdrop for your house. I think a rustic, woodsy style, maybe with some stone
work would be lovely. I would talk to a professional designer (there's many here on HOUZZ) for a
complete design since you are going all out.

betsy001 Thanks! We actually live in Massachusetts.

Pamela Bateman Garden Design If your budget allows I would build a natural stone retaining wall out from the left of the front door and curve it out and step it down to the driveway almost to the lamppost. Then I would create a courtyard patio entrance on the level of the last stair step with perennial flower beds at the base and the top of the retaining wall . This would add interest to the front landscape. The idea is to allow your guests a nice wide entrance to your home without trying to go around your car. In order to suggest plants we need to know where you live and what climate zone you are in.

betsy001 Nice idea! Thanks. I love natural stone. We are in Massachusetts.

betsy001 We are thinking of enlarging our windows. Making them taller so they look less stout. Any ideas on that?

Ironwood Builders Replace the exterior trim on doors and windows with a wider flat stock....keep it white. Replace the siding with one of the shingle style products....Hardieshake, Nichiha for concrete/fiber cement, or Cedar Valley for cedar shingle panels, prestained or natural.

Ironwood Builders Changing windows gives you the opportunity to do a clad option with pre-finished colors. Look at Marvin or Fensterman, Pella perhaps.

nancy22032 decoenthuaste submitted a picture of a split level like your in response to a query. It is beautiful and could provide some good ideas.

betsy001 Thanks

betsy001 @ironwood - we were thinking of switching to clapboard - would you recommend against that? Thanks!!