Hi dvanvrst, personally I think the vanilla yellow is fine, the main issue with the exterior other than some landscaping is the numerous half circle window tops that really dates the house. You can consider changing them so they are all the same style, also the front doors can have a rectangular transom instead of the half circle design again.

If you want to change the siding color, perhaps something neutral and darker will work.

Good Luck.

House color looks great to me. Need some foundation plantings and a ornamental tree.

I like the color of your house as it is. I agree with houssaon, more plants!! The ferns would make the porch so inviting.

Another vote for keeping the color as it stands and not making it too busy with shutters. Hanging baskets of flowers between the columns in summer (maybe in blues and purples to pop against the pale yellow) would be lovely, as would some more foundation planting.

please do not change the house color !!! it is BEAUTIFUL !!!

All great, kind ideas! Thank you Dytecture for letting me see the house in another color - what do you think it would look like in an off white/light silver grey? I agree with everyone about the need for more plants. Love the idea of the Japanese maple. The house is about ten years old but the idea about making the front door and windows all rectangular does update the look - what about door color?

FYI: The best house color for resale is - wait for it - yellow! We have people stop outside our home all the time and tell us how much they love the color. And it goes with any color flower - even yellow hibiscus, which are in huge pots beside our front door.

I love your house, all it needs are some flowering plants in those beds in front of the windows, and a couple of trees.

HI -- This is one of the cuteist most charming houses I have ever seen ! You don't need to change anything and you don't have room for shutters. If you need to paint in the future - I would make the yellow - more yellow. Landscaping is what's needed . Plant some whispy type trees - like weeping birches or river birches or aspens - and a flowering tree or two. And a feature tree like a red Japanese Maple and some more flowering perennials. Foundation plants infront of the lower bricks - like roses or day lilies or boxwood hedging. Whatever plants you choose for around the front porch do a mass planting of one kind.

My suggestion is paint the door blue. You need bigger planters for this gorgeous house. Make a statement. Big blue ones with nice plants in it. Change your chairs to the nice rocker ones. your donel good luck

I agree with others that the color is lovely on the house and I am not a fan of the color yellow! I would change the door color to something unexpected and fresh. Maybe a hyacinth blue? I do not agree with all the plantings not sure why. Maybe it would feel to landscaped and less charming. I do wonder about those small planters you have at the base of the stairs. Maybe something longer or larger. You have a very welcoming home!

Beautiful house... I think all you need to do is beef up your landscaping, and bring in some more substantial porch furniture... And definitely the ferns on the chains or try creeping charlies or some type of colorful flowers. I think you will be surprised how much different it will look with just a few simple changes.

I also like the color of the house it has sort of a 'southern' feel to it. In saying that- the only idea I have is replace the 1/2 circle window above the door with either leaded/beveled glass or what about the extravagant 'red' glass I've seen in some antebellum homes.

HI - looking again - one more thing to say . Get some bigger hanging lanterns for each side of the door. The ones there now are too small .

Wow! You guys have saved me a lot of paint $$$!!!! I love all of your comments - wasn't expecting so many wonderful opinions! Great ideas about the more substantial porch furniture and larger pots. I am not familiar with the 'red' glass featured in antebellum homes...is it stained glass? Thank you everyone!

I agree with your suggestion about bigger light fixtures for each side of the door....why didn't I think of that? :)

I think the house color is fine, but I also love what Dytecture proposed. He is right about the rounded windows. The house is great looking, but this change would improve the front elevation. If you do decide to paint, consider Winter Gates AC-30 by Benjamin Moore. Landscaping and hanging baskets would be a nice addition to the front porch.

Good luck with your project. Charmean Neithart

We're in the process of purchasing a house very similar to this, sans the front porch, and it's yellow but a darker yellow. I'm not typically a fan of yellow houses but I do think certain styles pull it off more than others. The house we're buying has flower boxes....too much for this one? I think fuller plantings at the foundation would balance things a bit and I love the idea of the ferns. Enjoy your new home!

After looking at the house again, I have to say I am not a fan of hanging plants- you have a beautiful porch and some nice details like large windows, nice porch space.Why cover your best features! I personally would not invest in "squaring" off all your windows that have arches. I wonder about changing the shingles above the stairs to a fish scale shingle. It would tie your rounded porch windows in. There are many examples of different patterns to chose from in Houzz. I want you to draw me to the porch for a visit...that is the mindset I have when I think about changes. Again, you have a lovely home. I hope you are enjoying getting to know it.

The color is lovely. Put your money into landscaping!

Although the picture suggesting the change in the windows looks amazing, it is a very costly undertaking inside and out. Although there are other CPU ours that would impact the look of your home , there are many that would make it worse. I like the soft yellow with the white contrast , however keeping it this colour you need to landscape the yard to make the house pop. Also add simplistic square urns between pillars with Boston ferns in them .... Since you need to make landscaping a priority anyway do your landscaping first. If you still feel the same about the house after consult an interior designer or architect to select the colour , should you choose to make a change
Good luck. Bonnie Mcarthur ARIDO , www.bonniemcarthurinteriors.com

I love your house and the color.Before I changed paint or windows I would invest in more substantial chairs or sofas such as the Palmetto all weather wicker collection by Pottery Barn, the black wicker would help balance the door color and draw the eye across the porch. It would make the porch more inviting and comfortable. Place an outdoor throw rug with each seating group and add a couple of potted plants in different size containers closer to the edge of the porch by the seating groups instead of the topiarys by the door. Last, I would upgrade the sconces on the side of the doors to a larger size and follow the landscaping ideas in the other comments.

I'm only guessing, but it look like your house has vinyl siding. You don't really want to paint vinyl siding but this is just my opinion. I don't think the color of the house is too bad at all (it could be much worse!) and it gives you a decent neutral tone to work with and allows you to be able to use a wide range of accent colors if you decide to put some correctly sized shutters on there. The only things I see that could provide a nice improvement is the landscaping (as many have said) and beefing up the 2 center columns - something wider with additional detail because visually (not structurally) the columns look small for what they are holding up.

You have lots of good comments so far. I would bend this design to a more traditional look. I agree the arch top windows are a distraction. They appear to be same height as the 9over9 double hungs on the sides. They are 6over6 with an arch top. This means most likely the structural header is at the same height as the 9over9s. I would replace them to match the 9over9’s if it fits in the budget.

The main arch over the front door has no trim out on the gable end. This is usually because it is costly to create this trim. However I think it would lend to the traditional look to add a multi revealed trim 12” -14” wide over this arch. I would also consider a small round or vertical rectangle vent in the center of the gable.

The front door also needs a substantial trim. An 8-10” wide trim would be great.

Next I would consider trim work around the windows. It looks to light to me and that is partially due to the light yellow field color with white trim. I would consider trim around the windows minimum 4” wide on the side 6” on the top with maybe a crown. Be sure to flash and waterproof properly whenever working on windows and doors.

I wish the columns were a little thicker but I don’t think it is worth the cost to replace them.

Remove or paint the metal protector plates at the base of the front doors.

I agree the lights next to the front door are small and could be enlarged or I would love to see a large pendant light hanging in the center of the arch. Then you could keep the lights as they are.

If you need light upstairs dormers on either side of the front gable would look nice to break up the large roof plane.

Would I change the paint color? While I don’t dislike the color I find that if the trimwork was improved as I discussed I tend to want to highlight it by ensuring the field color contrasts with the trim color. More often than not that means darker field color and white trim. Stay away from cool colors. Warm is always better. As in the picture from dytecture, a warm green brown grey for the field with a cream white trim would be nice. Avoid cool bright white trim. It pops of the elevation to much.

the first time I saw the red glass was at a plantation in Nashville - Belle Meade. I believe the glass is also referred to as 'ruby gold'. And from the interior, when the sun hits it, the red/gold is just that. Amazing.

I think the house has a quirky , happy feel. The buttery cream colour and white trim do need a little help from an accent colour.
I guess now it all is about budget. If you want to change windows, transomes and have a very health budget some of the suggestions may work.

BUT, you bought the house because of a feeling it gave you. So remember to not loose that initial feeling. I like the house the way it is. it adds alot of interest to your neighbourhood, not to mention there is a gentle gracious look that i like. I would not
take the round transome away, rather work with the eshtetics. Paint the door a blue..
not too deep but a contrast is needed.

I would add shutters to the out side square windows with window boxes. it is whimsical and fun.

Large scale planters , some colour and front porch furniture that is larger and fits the style of this house.

LAndscape with some ornamentals..keep it symetrical and simple.

Like the French do.

Enjoy that space..

have a Mint Julip for me.

I want to thank everyone so much for taking their time to address my house issues! I have so many wonderful ideas and am still open to comments and suggestions. I am receiving feedback I never would have come up with on my own in a thousand years! THANK YOU!

The color is fine but you a little punch. The pots at the bottom of the steps need to be larger and draping with perhaps a fushia cascade of petunias and vines. The landscaping looks young and will grow. I might add some window boxes two on either side with same bright colors to move your eye along. The hanging plants would be great too!
If you really have your heart set on shutters I wouldn't do them on the windows with the arches on top, just on the straight square ones on either side.

HI - Reading some of the other comments - lots of ideas ! - But I think the windows are a big part of the character of the house - Please keep them . I don't think anything involving the architecture of the house needs to be changed at all. Just add to the landscaping - you have lots of room for extra plants and trees. it's all that's really needed and a few other small add on's - like the front lights and some more colorful seating on the veranda .

i zipped through the posts because i just wanted to say that your house is so sweet and it looks like the kind of home that i would want to come home to in joy or in sorrow...it has welcoming arms :) please keep the yellow!! i agree it needs some wispiness :) and maybe a porch swing? or large rockers :) or some old fashioned roses...i really have no idea..i'm smelling cookies...

My house looks just like yours. Same colors similar shape...but I also have a huge front porch with white railing. I put dark blue shutters, painted only the front door dark geranium pink. I used tons of boxwoods and other low shrubs, Japanese maple, white flower pear trees at the end of the driveway. and one just off to the left ...the best part,,, yellow stelladora day lilles and hot pink wave petunias which are just about the color of the door...People are always telling me they drove to show my house to their friends. Good luck with yours..

I think you've gotten some very good advice! Yes, you really need more substantial foundation plantings. I would suggest continuing those beds on either side of the porch to the front of the porch and swoop them right up to the driveway. You could go the very pretty and time-honored approach of yellows with red accents. Urns are classic, but purchase much bigger ones in black. Plant these to "overflowing": with maybe red geraniums and some yellow flowers (whatever works in this spot) I also agree with the porch furniture idea: purchase black furniture with a much more substantial feel. I would play up the black and white scheme, maybe doing cushions in a black and white stripe and then adding in some soft yellow and red accents. I would stay away from shutters - you have enough going on on the facade, plus there isn't room to add them. DeWitt Architects gave you some good advice about trim, etc. (and yes, add the light fixture they recommended!) I, too, would recommend getting rid of the rounded transoms, if you can. Lovely house - you just need to ground it with planting and add some color and interest on the porch!

I think your home is charming as it is. It just needs accessories, bright flower baskets or ferns and the furniture should be more significant. They are somewhat hidden from view in the photo. Your plants be the door are dwarfed in scale, I suggest replacing them with larger ones.

It would be nice to change architecture but that is not always in the cards for many of us. Plantings are a great way to improve what you have with minimal cost. Good luck.

Keep the colour as is - it suits the house perfectly.

Charming house with the colour as it is. All you need to do is showcase your beautiful windows by accentuating them with a darker trims/sill, perhaps match with your black door

i like your house as it is!

It's perfect just the way it is!

If you are looking to add colour, place over flowing hanging baskets between the posts and flanking the bottom steps add taller planters in a dark galvanized metal (restoration hardware) to match the front doors. I would enlarge the sconce's on either side of the front door too. Personally I like the half circles above the windows & front door, it gives the house character and it balances the arched stoop.

The colour of your house should be a reflection of your personality!
What are your favourite colours?
What colours did you paint the inside.
Is there one hue of paint you're drawn too more?

I love the looks of your house. Landscaping and outdoor wicker, is the key here to give your beautiful home a more welcome come sit with us look.. The lights do seems to small for the size of your home. The black front door maybe to do harsh for the body color of your home, possibly a softer color could be added. Most importantly is bigger planting beds from each side of the walk way in curving around to meet up with the other beds that already exist. Trees would really accent what you already have beautifully and give your home a more welcoming look. Your home is lovely . Curb appeal is all it truly needs.

Lovely home!! You will be amazed at how much of a difference beefing up the trim will make. I would start there and then add the pots/planters as suggested above, for some instant gratification. You've gotten some really great advice -- I'm impressed, too, by the generously offered suggestions. Make a list of the ones you like best, prioritize them and . . . get to work!!

Oh, and don't forget to post pictures of your progress!

Enjoy your new home!!

dvanvrst I cant wait to see what you have done to exterior grounds.. Such a wanna come sit on my porch with me place . love it
Diann

Like the idea mentioned above about adding ferns would add a very nice welcoming touch to your already lovely home

Don't change the house color! Paint the front door a medium sea blue-green as well as the shutter you need to add. This is a great color combo. The house will pop!

I dont often say this: But I LOVE it the way it is.

Thank you everyone for your advice and comments! I have appreciated the comments regarding the scale of the sconces, window shapes, shutters, landscaping, planters, furniture, and the paint color. Thank you for helping me see my home in a new and better way.

Personally I think the posts are too thin. I would consider replacing them with some chunky posts ( may have to have less of them ),with maybe having the bottom third with a rock facade, something like this:

A grandeur entrance could be achieved by rethinking SCALE-because the house and colour is gorgeous and cheery in itself- I wouldn't change that at ALL. By scale I mean you have a large entrance area. If you want to make it grand.. think BIG rather than small.The planters you presently have may be fine for a smaller entrance, but for yours they look rather dinky. Sort of like a small Christmas Tree in a big room.. ; ) But Use them in the backyard or side landscape. In the front add a pair of MEGA planters on the ground. Mega sconces. The rest could be achieved by a little landscaping. Flank the sides of the house with some high growing Skyrocket juniper- like ( of which there is a silvery grey-blue variety that would go nice here) and some low lying sprawling juniper below and a row of lavender. I see chains for hanging planters, so that could bring in an additional element, so not much else is needed on the ground. Any colour in plants will have more impact in one area rather than both, Just enjoy it!!> Its wonderful. Congratulations.

This is the exact color I want to paint my house. What paint is it?

4 year old posting

I'd change the poles on the porch. Too skinny in my opinion. The color is great!