I like @kelly's idea of picking a lovely fresh color of paint for the door. You can then bring it down onto the stair risers. Either a solid color to match the front door, or go wild and add some decorative elements to the risers with stencils. Or think of staining the door a great color and coordinate the stair railings and risers. I have an idea book put together for just such project that might spark some ideas for you. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16700983/thumbs/Kathryn-Delany-s-Decorative-Stair-Risers

What did you end up going with? The plans look mighty complex.

I meant to say if we clad in dark blue board and batten from ground level up to floor level of deck. I think if that side wall is all light coloured silvered cedar, the house will look mammoth. Ugh! The black stuff going down the side wall on an angle is water protector. It will be covered by whatever cladding we go with.

I don't know what its composition is, but it feels cheap and nasty. It has turned fluffy at the bottom from moisture, and the actual door itself is a strange sort-of rough texture. I would love to be able to smooth it all over with something and paint it. One step further, I'd really love to be able to make vertical lines down it to resemble the third photo I've attached - what tool(s) would I use for that. Can some clever person(s) advise me on how to get started? Thank you so much!