What would you do with the front of this duplex?

[Tina C.]

We are currently fixing up the outside of this up/down duplex. Trying to get some different ideas to work with.

We've pulled off all the siding on the front of the porch (it went right to the ground) the front of the house can now 'breathe' and now we can show off the porch.

We need to do a small foundation repair under the current porch and will be taking the floor boards up to do this.

I'd love to get rid of the siding on the front of the house under the protection of the current covered porch and eventually remove it completely from the house (think board and batten or clapboard-vinyl siding is a big pet peeve of ours)

We have a habitat re-store nearby and many small sawmills that we can visit. Windows are slowly being replaced (this duplex has so many!)

Just looking for some ideas to freshen up the look of the front and give it some nice curb appeal, it's located in a historic district of town with many other older homes around it.

We are taking out the concrete steps (left in the picture) and putting a new staircase on the right of the porch, it will come down 4 stairs to a landing and turn 90% and have more stairs to the driveway.

I'm thinking raised beds on the rest of the lawn-full sun all day and steep.

Thanks all!