Hi. Changing the color palette and maybe adding some window shutters to dress up the windows would do a world of difference to the facade.

Thanks for advice. I'm willing to spend up to 5,000.

How about this color scheme. BM Chrome Green for the trim and BM Heritage Red for the siding;)

What about having a porch wrap across the front and then a pretty hedge of flowers in front of that? Hydrangeas, roses or something along those lines... I think it has great bones and could very easily be made even more charming.

I think I would extend the pergola across the length of the house as well as the porch area;)

What about using a different pattern in the same color on 2nd floor for change in texture?

I think the colour is too dull for a farmhouse. I see some blue on your front door,so maybe add some more of that colour by adding some shingles in gable, painted blue, house body a dark cream, and white trim. I like to see a view of front door open, and your railing crosses it. I know you landscaped, but I think it would look better with entrance to pergola in front and then a curved walkway to driveway. And I agree, pergola should be larger, to provide outdoor seating maybe.

I like the way the blue of the front glass paned door looks with the siding. Consider painting the window trim the same shade. Also, the light colored stones edging the garden look unnatural - consider removing them and bringing the garden out a little further into the yard. Some taller, more colorful plantings would be nice. A small ornamental flowering tree in front of the garden to the left or right of the lower window would add visual interest. I don't think you have to repaint the entire house or spend a lot of money to make some high impact changes.

How about painting it barn red with white trim and porch pergola?
http://www.redfarmhouse.blogspot.com/

i think a nice wrap around covered porch would be pretty.

but if that is too much some shutters would be cute. and maybe go with White trim instead.

here is something to consider: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/wrap-around-porch-on-a-budget.shtml

I like the idea of shutters and a pergola. A dark brown or light neutral would pop.

The old house website has some interesting ideas! I'm trying to avoid too much brick-a-brack that would simply make it look like a period piece.

but the "farmhouse" is from a certain period. i prefer simple lines myself. my house has a white roof so all my trim is white. kinda doesnt show bird poop. looks clean from a distance.
hope that doesnt sound gross.!!! lol

No - good idea!

simple lines on ur house would keep it from being to ornate

ur house is very cute how many sqft is it

About 1900.

may i ask where u live? and is ur house on any acs? it is a cute house. flower boxes would be cute on the front. or something on a uncovered porch. the color of ur house is really nice. almost any color flower would shine against the house.. even purple. or blue.. but i think white and reds flowers looks good with the colors of ur house..even orange, that isnt my favorite color for a color but orange is a new color inside and out.. i only like it in flowers.sorry.
yellow would also look good. i mean for flowers.

A pergola and porch clear across the front of the house 6-8 ft. deep with provide a lovely outdoor living space and break up the vertical front that reads as "boring" ...you can have a hammock, a few chairs ,a spot for coffee ..to save the budget you can space the pergola beams further apart and hang shade cloth in the summer...in the winter the wider openings allow more light and sun to extend the months you can use the porch

that is an awesome idea!!

That's interesting. I hesitate to put a porch all the way across front because of the northern exposure - I am afraid that living room would be even darker.

The house is on a small lot, located in a neighborhood near a very vibrant downtown within walking distance. As you can probably tell by design, I'm located in Michigan.

Many "tear downs" in my neighborhood with upscale, new construction of late. I do not want to tear down! Better to redo facade with quality material, windows, window frame, architectural detail. Would like to honor history of house but not make it look like "gramma's" house or otherwise putzy/cutesy detail. In the other hand, some redos in my neighborhood seem so austere.

Maybe new casements with mullins in a dark color, wider window frames in contrasting light color. Also thought of wrought iron window box on bottom window to make window focal point.

there are many fun things to do with a house like that. I live in Idaho and we have several farm houses in town and on farms..lol a north side covered porch wouldnt bring in lots of sunlight. but the pergola idea like what u have by the front door. on a deck ..say 4-6 ' wide would dress up the front adding more charm. but u can also do a stone patio with the pergola. to give ur house a more modern feel.
wider window frames or even those that look like crown molding would make the window look bigger...u have some good Ideas. just go with them

if ur porch/deck is low enough to the ground u dont need to have rails it can all be open.

Beautiful home!!

Metal awnings and larger window boxes could add a farmhouse touch. If you add shutters, here are some guidelines.

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

farmhouse reinterpreted is interesting for both inside and outside.

I like idea of crown molding on lower window and also, tearing out railing of pergola and approaching front door diagonally. Also, architectural detail on upper window proposed by Vickie is interesting. I cannot picture it altogether though and my greatest fear is going from a barren-looking facade to a cluttered one.

this site has many ideas to consider. and doing a bit at a time gives u time to look at what u have done. as u go..

your house is not plain and boring - but the color scheme is.

A front porch all across the front with a gable over the door would be both useful and attractive.

Update? What did you decide?