I'm assuming you already looked around your new neighborhood to see if you could steal anyone else's ideas. ;)

Are you thinking of hiring an architect? That could be $$$. My first thought was to increase the size of the dormers. I did a quick google search on "steeply pitched roof" (and then again with the word "dormer") and got some ideas. Seems like a lot of these try to balance the steeply pitched roof with another design element.

New landscapiing will help! I noticed the flower bed, right of the door, looks very plain and empty. Nothing brightens a home exterior like beautiful flowers and landscaping. This will be a lot cheaper than trying to change the exterior of the home.

I agree with girl wonder. The big challenge with this house is that the dormers are too small. They look to me like a person squinting their eyes. If it's in the budget to make them larger go for that

The dormers are too "short", increasing the height by 50% would make all the difference (the current width and placement is fine). This won't be cheap and you will need to match the current glass pane configuration (which is the best part of the overall "look") in the new windows. Short of that, landscaping will help immensely.

I think adding a small porch with its own pitch roof would look more friendly something a little like this

I think I would learn to accept the house being a bit quirky. Put some $ into landscaping and eventually move up to a larger home. You never know when a job change could move you to another city or state.

Yes, the dormers should be a lot bigger. It would give the home more character. Windows need to be updated as well! Definitely update the landscaping and it would give your yard a fresh look!

Do you have a rough idea what enlarging dormers may cost?

No one here can give you an estimate. Your location and the structure of the roof will determine cost.

generally we see photos of 'a garage with a house attached', this is 'a roof with a house trying to grow underneath it'.

it looks odd, not having any gables facing the front. as a result, there is not house color showing, just a big grey roof. do you already own it?

I find the multi-paned Windows to be unattractive. Could each large window be replaced with three double hungs?

I agree that the roof is too overpowering, and the dormers are ill-proportioned. I recommend redoing the dormers taller and narrower (narrower because dormer windows, with some exceptions, should always be smaller than the windows below, or they will look too monstrous and overpowering). Four dormers would be nice.

can say I kind of like the house it has a certain look that is not the usual cookie cutter house in the burbs. Before doing anything get an architect to look and see what they can come up with . I would do the landscaping for sure and then see how you feel.

I would simply change out the front door to all glass with divided lights, put in a curved slate walk and improve the landscaping. Perhaps change the trim color so the garage is less prominent.

You need an architect. I think changing the dormers would help immensely, but it is not a DIY project. You need to spend the $$$ on professional help on this because, in this case, it will be money well, well, well spent.

Storybook is my *favourite* architectural style. If I had the $$$$$ to do this one up like she deserves I would be all.over.it. If I didn't I would walk away because it would make me physically sad to see her everyday, not living up to her potential.

Lake Front Storybook Cottage · More Info

Elements Storybook Style Projects · More Info

Traditional Exterior · More Info

I'm going to guess that you are not as emotionally impacted by this house though (or maybe any house lol).

And if you see these photos and think "OMG these are hideous what in the world is lindsey on about?" then maybe this isn't the right house for you. Because this is what she wants to be :-D

thanks, I appreciate the photos!