Nice, congrats! Landscaping will make a big difference and planters by the doors. The windows are throwing me, how about shutter or panes on the glass?

Love the shutters idea! We are naturally drawn to craftsman style houses, but there are very few of them around here :(

I agree with shutters. If that won't work, maybe some additional trim, and window boxes. You could put spruce tips in there in the winter, and colorful flowers in the summer

You may want to consider at some point painting the garage door black to match the overhang. It might give it more balance.

Girl get that paint brush out and paint that garage door black ,or how about some wood

I don't think the house itself is boring at all. There is a lot going on with roof angles, different windows, arch over door, overhang at garage door. Landscaping will make a huge difference. I also like painting garage door black for balance. You don't have room for shutters as they should be wide enough to cover windows. You might consider painting front door red or mustard or turquoise for a pop of color.

I think your house numbers would look great on the window above the front door,you can have them made and installed ny most sign company's ...maybe in a silver

The house has a lot of nice lines, but a new paint scheme would help a ton. Especially in the entry area. The feature around the windows might get a "Trim" color to add interest. If you really want to make your house exciting, incorporate red into the front door and possible the window trim. Red always complements other colors. Try it out with a large red vase next to your entry.

Also, whats at the bottom of the steps? Looks like grass? Perhaps some pavers or stamped concrete to help transition from the steps to the drive way?

I think the builder made a mistake painting the stucco the same color as the stonework. If the stucco were a darker gray the stone work would be a noticeable attractive feature. I would NOT add shutters.

Landscaping will add to the curb appeal, but plant toward the front of the lawn, alone the driveway and don't hide the stonework. I would also add some hardware to the garage door to make it look like a carriage door.

this is not a Craftsman style house and shutters are not Craftsman. Don't do it!

Builder blew it on the upper windows, maybe consider asking an architect/designer for advice on better ones?

Nice front door, front window!

House numbers above garage door?

I agree with tralone about painting the garage door black, but i would add some windows and trim + hardware to it so the door isn't sooooooo 2 dimensional. Even though the hardware may not be needed it still looks nice

Thank you so much everyone! Does omething like this work for the garage door?

I thought I'd try a mock up with shutters/window boxes and a lighter garage door just to see. Definitely a no?

I like the mock up, but maybe with black garage doors with nice hardware. However, the lighter garage doors do not look as bad in the mock up, probably due to the nice windows and panels. And add house numbers, vertically, to the right of door (facing house) or maybe even on the Stonework if you do not plan to cover it with landscaping.

Agree with Timberlane, shutters do not belong on your house. I like the windows and hardware in the garage that you show in the second mock up much better than a black garage door. If you are going in that direction, consider a nice decorative gable vent that ties in those cottage type elements. Ooops, changed my mind. I see your gable doesn't line up with the front door and window and a gable vent will call attention to that :(
Paint the exterior darker like houssaon suggested.

Please, no shutters! They are not true to the architectural style of your house.

Suggestions:

1. Paint the tan trim around the windows in the same dark brown or black as the other trim

2. Add foundation plantings on the right side as you face the house.

3. Change the upper-story windows to match the style of the house. They look like casement windows. They should be double-hung. I think a three-over-one design would work well and pick up the style of the lower level window.

4. Garage door style posted by "vamper", above, is perfect.

5. House numbers can go vertically to the right of the front door. Numbers next to the garage is not a good idea. People don't look there for numbers and you are branding the house, not the garage.

6. Paint the front steps a dark gray.

Here's my idea: simple, easy changes first. Paint the garage door black. Do not add window panel as it directs to too much attention to the garage. Add black house numbers aligned vertically to right of front door (when facing the house). Colorful plantings in front of the large window, drawing the eye to that side of the house, balancing the garage door. Perhaps some red flowers? Then step back and consider whether bigger changes are needed. I really like your house and feel that a little tweaking may have a big impact.

I agree with landscaping, pots on the front porch, and shutters.

Belle Chaise, any reason why you are leaning towards the shutters?

I do like the fact that they would go with Board and Battens, but they are just not suitable for the windows.

what about two wreaths on the front doors?

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-yellow-forsythias-white-monogram-initial/

http://deciture.com/personalized-18-wreath-hanging-moss-covered-monogram/

Hope this helps you!

Ever think of using a stone veneer to "spruce up" the front façade? Many times people feel as though adding shutters will do the trick, but like Timberlane Inc. has mentioned your double paned windows are already big enough for the home.

Check out this site which deals with many outside retouches that add just a bit of stone veneer to spruce up a home, but do not over do it. http://coronadostoneproducts.blogspot.com/

I have also attached a photo of a home they have worked on as well. Coronado Home products. you can find them on Here as well. http://www.houzz.com/pro/coronado-stone/coronado-stone-products

Look at that vamper, the color of your stucco blends in with the stone you have so well that the poster above didn't even notice that you have stone on your façade already. That speaks to a change in stucco color to make your stone pop out a little bit more as houssaon pointed out up thread.

I did notice the stone, but I am suggesting a stone veneer. It looks to me that Vamper has more of a "brick" . A stone veneer is a different finish than what they have already.

Paint in craftsman colors, perhaps three? Add a faux window to right of each upper window to make them horizontal rectangles ( panes too) then add 2 color frame around upper windows, possibly duplicating that with horizontal detail (no window, but where a window would be) on garage door (background darkest of 3 colors). No black.

Please someone tell me how to modify a posted photo - it would be fun to try out color schemes.

I really like your first mock-up, with the black garage door. I think painting the trim around the windows would really enhance them, too. Unless you are willing to maintain the flower boxes and keep something growing in them, I wouldn't add them. They'll just look sad and tired. Window boxes will take a LOT of water.

I would bring the sidewalk on an angle from the bottom of the steps to the driveway, to open them up, and put a planter with some annual flowers at the junction of the sidewalk and driveway. For your foundation planting, you might consider some flowering shrubs to bring in some color, along with some daffodils or tulips for early color. Some plants with variegated foliage, rather than plain green, will add interest all season.

If you opt for houssaon's suggestion of painting the stucco, I might even go with color, rather than just a darker gray, for more contrast between it and the stone.

I think your home would look great with this color scheme! It's a great house....lucky you!

beachlilly...even if it wasn't that exact color scheme (which i DO like), I was thinking along the same lines that the house needs 3 colors.
1-Stucco
2-Sash trim & door trim
3-Door & actual sash.

3 contrasting colors....one punch that says "look at me"! :0)

**Oh, and the LAST thing your home needs is "faux" anything (windows & stone)! You already have the real thing...
Using paint, you can draw attention to certain architectural details.

I like the ideas you created for you white garage door. Not black. And I can't count how many times people have told you: NO SHUTTERS! The upper windows are the problem. Spend your money on getting new ones that match the style of the house. You will not be disappointed!

I've looked at your post several times, and I have to agree regarding the windows. They appear too small and the wrong style. A casement style widow with grids would work, IMO.

Thanks again everyone, my takeaways from this are:

1) replace the windows on second story - no shutters!!! It's interesting, they look too small proportionately in the photo, however when you're inside they're actually really big windows.
2) repaint with a 3 colour combination. I will struggle with which colours!
3) replace garage door with something more interesting (window panes, hardware, etc.)
4) Hire a landscape person!

Really appreciate everyone's thoughts and ideas!!

I like the mock up with the garage doors black and the suggestions for window boxes but no shutters.

Before you replace the windows try painting the trim around them black and mock up some window pane dividers which can be added for decorative use on the top windows. (It would be a shame and a waste to replace new windows for esthetics alone)

I'd also like to see plantings along the drive and some pots by the entrance.

Add number above the garage door...

Instead of painting the whole house...experiment with changing
the colour of your entrance to spice things up.

I like the mock up with the garage doors black and the suggestions for window boxes but no shutters.

Before you replace the windows try painting the trim around them black and mock up some window pane dividers which can be added for decorative use on the top windows. (It would be a shame and a waste to replace new windows for esthetics alone)

I'd also like to see plantings along the drive and some pots by the entrance.

Add number above the garage door...

Instead of painting the whole house...experiment with changing
the colour of your entrance to spice things up.

Black garage door without windows; mullions on upper windows to compliment those on large window first floor (no shutters); color for front door, preferably red; black house numbers, horizontally, placed across topmost stair riser would be my suggestion.

Vamper: You’ve picked out the key items. Good luck! Post pics when you’re done.

Any update? Would love to see pix!

Dark shutters on the top windows and beautiful landscaping along the front.

I love the black trim and have always loved the combination of black and taupe on a home. Then accent it with shiny brass door handle and kick plate. Here are some examples. Ideas