Exterior Update: New Path, Awning, and Landscaping
This update covers a lot of smaller projects that have transformed the exterior of our house since we painted the brick white with breathable masonry paint (you can read about that project and the cost here). The paint was my favorite makeover so far, but the exterior continued evolving over the last year. Below I’ll walk through the new path, the awning, the relocated porch lights, the landscaping changes, and a few remaining plans.
First, a quick look back at the “before” really highlights the difference. My dad literally texted me in all caps last fall, convinced we had moved when he saw the white house photo on Facebook—true story. But now, here are photos we took a few days ago showing how the front looks today.
Comparing this recent shot to one from last fall shows some obvious updates. We felt the area around the door looked a bit flat, so we decided to add a modest sloped awning to define the entry without returning to the large portico we removed when we painted.
We ended up sourcing the awning from a UK company because the ready-made design matched our inspiration and was more affordable—even after shipping—than local custom quotes. The 8′-wide awning arrived in a large crate we joked about for months, and it includes a hidden drip edge to divert water off to the sides rather than dumping it on whoever stands beneath the door. So far it’s been smartly designed and exactly the detail this facade needed.
When we removed the original large portico, we kept a few elements—like the railings—for reuse at another house, and removing that bulk made the entrance feel cleaner and more classic. We haven’t missed the portico; packages get left by the side garage overhang, and we mostly enter through the garage, so the reduced overhang didn’t affect daily life.
We also planted a new river birch on the left side of the yard to balance the existing dogwood on the right. It’s a variety that thrives in our neighborhood and will look beautiful when it leafs out in spring. The front beds got some gentle tweaking as well—existing plants filled in, the clipped ball hedges were softened, and I added three peonies I found at Costco (I’ll share photos if they bloom in spring).
We planted white hydrangeas on each side of the steps, though the deer nibbled them through summer. I still dream of a row of white hydrangeas paired with boxwoods, but our local deer are persistent buffet-goers—despite trying multiple deterrents.
The Front Path and Steps
The new front path is bluestone, which remains my favorite outdoor stone. Bluestone was also a pleasant surprise on price compared to slate or fieldstone. Installed bluestone typically runs about $10–$13 per square foot—material and labor included—so get a few quotes from pros to find the best fit for your project.
We widened the steps before the stone went on, which cost about $450 but made a big difference in the proportion and welcome of the entry. The bluestone landing and wider stairs now feel much more open and balanced compared to the original narrow configuration.
You might notice in some earlier photos there were yellowish stains on the brick risers of the steps. That happened when a contractor used a non-breathable latex paint on top of our breathable masonry finish. We addressed it by priming correctly and repainting with the right breathable paint, and the discoloration is gone.
We also updated the porch lighting. The larger lanterns we installed last winter were repositioned lower when the awning went up so they align with the door’s cross rail (a common and visually balanced placement). The brick holes from the old portico were patched, and the new placement looks much more intentional.
Next Steps
We decided to add shutters again, but not in black—this time we’re leaning toward a more tonal look. The new louvered shutters are on order and will be installed when the weather allows. We also plan to keep refining the front landscaping over the next few seasons. The hedges are looking less severe after a heavy clipping, and I’ll continue experimenting with plantings that will survive our local deer population.
Overall, this past year has been about small changes that add up: a thoughtful awning, proportionate stairs and landing, new bluestone path, refined lighting, and evolving planting choices. I’m excited to keep sharing progress photos as the trees leaf out and the beds fill in.
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