suzzys ouside lighting landscaping and door and shutters painted.

Tracy Adelman are you saying I should paint everything a gray color?

Joni Koenig Interiors You might consider asking some of the houzz landscape professionals for help. I think the right landscaping would be an even bigger improvement over paint.

sharbaumer I would not use two colors on door and panels . Perhaps paint door and shutters gray and add wheat color by planting lots of tall wheat grass clumps and a third color with summer annuals .

Diann Joni your right on with this Ranch. Landscaping this house would truly be the answer here. That long span of brick across the front needs something to help make this house really stand out. I like the landscape to the right of the home makes it more inviting . The entry way where the urns are to the left is there a long space like a court yard in there seems that there would be . Can you add more pics Tracy? All this Lawn in front of what appears to be the walk way shows such fabulous potential for Making this home a more inviting home by adding trees .

indiedrummer138 you need to try to make the house look taller, try using longer window shutters, and get a door with a large vertical window. paint the house bright earthy colors like olive or even white. Try more gardening to lighten the overall look. You want to accentuate the earth feel of a house so low the the ground.

houssaon I like the Gravel Gray for the front door and Winter Wheat for the side lights and garage. I'd also do the shutters and the other doors in Winter Wheat. Although I'd take the shutters down. I don't think they add anything to the facade.

And I agree, the biggest change is going to be landscaping.

babzie933 I'm not bothered by the lack of landscaping around the foundation - I kind of like the clean lines. I would, however, use something bold on the front door and use the same paint on all of the front door trim. I could see a red door (not tomato red, but not maroon) or a beautiful blue (again, not screaming but with a nice punch.) I'd also like to see lots of potted plants and flowers around the front door area.

amaninsf Love your house! I would not do different colors of paint. I like the gravel grey idea. Also, the plantings to the right of the picture could use some sprucing up, and as you mention - new lighting needed. Good news is you have such a pretty home to start with! Good luck.

brlg Break up the long expanse of red brick! "Punch out" some of the brick to make an openwork design, create a courtyard between the house and the fence. For a more interesting entry, make a "gateway" opening about midway in the brick fence and reposition the walkway to pass through the courtyard. (You may be able to move the existing columns and lanterns.) Add a much larger light fixture next to the front door. Add tall foliage (topiaries? climbing vines on trellises?) in the space between the windows. Take your time, play with the ideas and add your personal touches.

turnerc3 Tracy...go to diynetwork.com and search "Rain, Rakes and Radar" video. The
professional landscapers transformed the grounds of a ranch home in deplorable condition into an oasis. Your lovely home would be a crown jewel with a great landscaping design..projects could be done in segments as your time and funds permit. I'm sure the landscape architect could suggest colors for your entry and shutters, etc.

Tracy Adelman Thank you all so much!

mholt21 This house reminds me of the low slung, beautiful line of prairie style> i would suggest finding photos of such style and add an element or two. Frank LW-style urns would go along way.

Tracy Adelman What is Frank LW style?

mholt21 Frank Lloyd Wright

Ann Smitt Do you LOVE the colors Grey and Winter Wheat? They sound dreary on your pretty brown brick and brown shingled home. Pick up some paint swatches from your favorite outdoor paint brand and place them on the door and shutter. When you've chosen your favorite, buy paint samples (Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams etc. alll sell samples) then paint. Paint a big swatch so you can get a good idea. Then let dry overnight. Choose the best colors. Don't be afraid to try colors other than neutrals.

Diann tip when finding paint samples for our new home a friend told me to go to Benjamin Moore or Sherwin w. pick out the paint sample chips then go to Home Depot and get them to mix it for 1/2 the cost wish I had done it 18 samples ago.. Many of those paint cards are not what you think they are. They look good on paper till you get it in the house and all depends on lighting .. I donated all my paint after that to a local art club.

bwenk Def landscaping. Then maybe a different door color. And I kinda agree that the shutters could go Only once the right colors of landscaping are done