You probably recognize the front of our house from the blog header, but you might be surprised to learn it’s up for a serious refresh. From a distance it reads as charming—especially when the azaleas burst into bloom—but up close the facade tells a different story. The old slate path is cracked and uneven. The scalloped trim along the porch looked dated and out of sync with the house’s original mid-century lines. And the screen door had seen better days: weathered, rotting, and no longer doing the house any favors. We tried to buy time with a cheerful yellow paint job, but even that couldn’t hide how tired it had become.
Yesterday we finally removed the screen door and revealed the solid wood door behind it. A quick coat of crisp black paint on the door and shutters made an immediate difference—cleaner, sharper, and more aligned with the house’s 1950s ranch character. We’re toying with the idea of repainting the door a sophisticated lipstick red down the line, but for now the black finish suits the home and gives us good curb appeal while we tackle the rest of the porch.
Next came the scalloped porch header. Removing it was a bigger job than expected—a full day of effort that involved peeling, prying, hammering, and a few tears. It was an eleven-step, six-hour process that left me sore and a little bloodied, but the result was worth every moment. Once the old trim was out, the porch revealed cleaner lines and a silhouette that reads far more like an authentic mid-century ranch than an 80’s country lodge.
Here’s the porch area after the scallops were removed. The transformation is immediate—the porch reads as simpler and more cohesive with the home’s architecture. Removing the scalloped trim allowed the porch to breathe and made the doorway and windows the real focal points instead of competing decorative shapes.
All that effort also brought attention to another area that needs work: the front walkway. The existing slate path is chipped and uneven, and it no longer complements the cleaner porch aesthetic. A complete walkway overhaul is next on the list, along with fresh landscaping choices to boost curb appeal and create a cohesive, welcoming entry.
To give you a sense of how the change affected the interior views, here’s an older shot of the living room taken shortly after we bought the house nearly two years ago. Back then the scalloped porch trim was clearly visible through the window. The living room itself was a work in progress: old curtains, a dated lamp, and a bulky cube shelf near the door distracted from the overall potential of the space.
Since then we’ve renovated the living room—removed the cube divider, installed a new window, added crown molding, and repainted—so the constant view of the scallops became even more jarring. With the scalloped trim removed, the rectangular window now reads cleanly against the home’s geometry, which makes the entire room feel more intentional and modern.
Even our dog Burger seems to appreciate the new view. We also installed airy white curtains hung high above the window, which visually raises the ceiling and makes the room feel taller. To complete the window treatment we’re planning to add natural matchstick blinds mounted just below the rod; that will create the illusion that the window stretches all the way up to the curtain rod, enhancing the room’s proportions.
Thanks for following along with the screen door and scallop removal. Next up: a red front door reveal, a full walkway replacement, and new landscaping ideas designed to maximize curb appeal. We’ll share each step of the process as we move forward, documenting the improvements and design decisions so you can see how the front of the house evolves from tired to refreshed.