If anyone is still following this thread, the porch project has finally begun!

Oh yes! It looks like it was meant to look! Great job! What's next after the snow is gone, lol?

Haha, yes, the snow took me by surprise! Fortunately it doesn't hold up progress on the porch though. The pavers for the driveway have been sitting around for a while, so they're next, then maybe some gardening!

Your home is improving all the time. The new steps, opened up porch and sidewalk really make a difference. Keep up the good work!

Big improvement. I think the beefed up pillars should be next.

I hadn't thought about beefing up the porch columns actually. I was planning to add a plinth (maybe 1 ft. or so at each column base) and replace the decorative brackets (I found one of the old ones that was taken out when the porch was ruined and I was going to copy it.) The columns do look a little thin though now that you mention it. Hmm...

Glover Nursery may be right Anna. You can only see two of my columns on my front porch, but they are more substantial than your current ones and are round. While round may not fit your porch plans, a larger square column might be attractive. Would that still allow you to use your decorative bracket design? Are you certain the bracket was from the original house design? I only ask that because the American Four Square Design was the beginning of making home less Victorian, less fussy, if you will. Just some thoughts from me.

Love your round columns JAMSA. Ours are continuous into the ground and would be a real pain to replace, so it's either wrap or otherwise embellish what is already there. I think ours is a pretty early foursquare, right around 1900 judging by the mail we've found in the walls =) It has decorative corbels along the eaves that are very similar to the bracket I found that used to be on the porch, so I think they probably are original. I'm not totally stuck on the brackets though. I have some interior columns that have a simple crown detail that would also work well and tie things together with the entry area. (photo of entry below)

Duplicating your indoor columns is a good idea, they are beautiful.

I agree with Glover about your indoor columns being repeated on the exterior. My indoor columns are missing and this has made me think I will put them back. Thank you! Our entry way is very similar to yours too, and your interior doors. Our front door does not have the lovely lights that yours does, but a glass panel in the middle instead. This was the era of Chestnut and I am assuming you might have this wood in your lovely home too. Thanks Anne for sharing your project with us all.

The indoor columns would be much easier than cutting new brackets anyway.... but I feel I should 'fess up that I just finished the indoor ones last week! There used to be a wall there. JAMSA, our home doesn't have any chestnut, that must be lovely! There is a lot of heart pine though, which we love. I'm glad you're all still enjoying our project. It's fun to have folks to "talk" things over with. My husband is an awesome worker, but his eyes glaze over when I start talking about column details =)

So what projects are in the works now that spring is here, Anna? :)

I was just about to send you all an update handymam =) The driveway is in, the front door is refinished, and we're taking advantage of the beautiful weather to repaint the trim! We went with the original brackets, it's kind of a thing in this neighborhood, everyone has different porch brackets. We're very pleased with the results. We are also still under our $1000 budget. It can be done! Roughly $650 in masonry supplies, $150 in paint, and $100 in lumber. We'll probably break the budget when we finish landscaping, but that can be done gradually.

I'm thinking a door knocker will nicely cover the hole in the decorative trim.

jrpalermo: there's no fascia on the addition either (trim line at the top). I think bringing that back would help considerably. Or a big bay window would be nice. That room is the formal dining room, a big window seat in a bay window would be great =) Maybe someday, but we're nearing the end of the flurry of activity this time around.

It looks beautiful.

You have done an astonishing job. Now that spring is here, I hope you enjoy your house and your accomplishment. It's impressive! Thank you for updating us. It's so rewarding to see how people implement new ideas.

Lovely walk and remodel so far. I think a window update in the future would be lovely too or maybe a fence/gate type thing with climbing roses. That would sort of mirror the porch railing.

Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike.

For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com)

Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants.

Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views.

cascio.offsite@gmail.com

It's really looking very nice. If you decide to tackle the addition, I would add two windows where there is now one. You could keep the original and add a second but center them both on that wall. It should work for your dining room. Bay windows are lovely but would not fit the style and age of your house. Two windows on that wall would better balance and marry the addition with the original four square. You've done a great job so far.