We are considering buying this house:

http://realtor.com/PersPlan/HomeDetail.asp?poe=realtor&...&lnksrc=RSR_PROPPHOT

Another shot (partially blocked by trees:

http://gis.roanokeva.gov/img_photos/428/4280304.jpeg


It really is a wonderful spot. And with the renovations already done (kitchen, baths) and what we are planning if we buy it we believe we can make it into a really nice home. Before the questions I have - just FYI, here are the projects we would do.

1. Enclose that open porch you see on the right and turn it into a very nice 14x24 family room with ceiling height windows all around, beams,cedar ceiling, etc.

2. Finish the basement for a nice bedroom, bathroom, and addl. family/media room.

3. Extend the dining room (you can't see it in the picture since it's at the back of the house, but it's too small.) I'm thinking a sunroom type extension about 12 x 12 or so out toward the woods in back.

4. Misc. general stuff - refinishing floors, improving some bathroom leftovers items (more tile, etc.), putting in an entry level laundry closet, painting, and so forth.

So, as far as the interior I'm pretty confident we can make it very nice and enjoyable. My questions though have to do with the exterior - which is ugly. Here is what I have in mind - and please - feel free to tell me I'm all wet or to offer other suggestions:

1. Get bigger windows openings cut in and replace those two squatty little windows on the left front and the left end of the house with longer windows. (Not changing the width since that gets into structural work.) Who ever thought those dinky windows were a good idea when they built it back in the 1950's?

2. Cover the foundation (more exposed than you can see) with a nice manufactured stone veneer (which are remarkably real/natural looking) to match the stone walls that are all around. You can't see much of the stonework but there is a low stone wall 2-3 feet high in front of the house and other walls around the side and back. If you're not familiar with the manufactured stone, you might be surprised. It would be darned hard to tell it from natural stone and it should match the existing stone pretty well.

3. Paint all of the the brick - the whole house - a tan color of some sort to sort of tie in and blend better with the stone.

4. Replace that lower (basement) level entry door with something nice and interesting.

5. Paint the steel garage door to blend.

Questions:

What about some sort of porch or covering for that basement door/entry?

If so, should it be kind of open - just roof and small columns to a slab floor? Or would you extend the stone out and build something more substantial and tied-in there?

Would you put shutters anywhere? Top only? Bottom only? Both?

Any other ideas to dress up the front and left side of the house? I mean, I know it's always going to be a box ranch, but I'm interested in making it a little more interesting and giving it some charm/character in keeping with this country, wooded setting. I don't know - cottage-y, lodge-y, villa-ish, ...something. Or am I dreaming?

Other thoughts and ideas? Something you think I'm missing or doing wrong?

Thanks.

Rob