The stone looks is the houses caricature. All you need is to make the windows and sideing more visible. Paint them white or a bold color. Also add more lighting in and aroud the porch and front of house.
It just needs a little life to the curb appeal.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AT HOUZZ

The stone is very pretty, and adds a lot of personality to the house. I would do as the previous commenters have suggested.

I think the original stone is beautiful. Greige trim, leaning towards the gold/tan/brown end, plus a bright door in pumpkin color would bring out the stone. Go to a local garden center, not big box, for advice on lovely plantings for under the window. A window box all across the window in the same trim color you eventually use would add charm to the front.

Please keep the stone. The house has so much potential. Two glaring issues are the discoloration along the bottom and the porch. Pressure washing the stone will make a big difference. I can't see what the porch is made of (on my iPhone). Does it need to be cleaned or replaced? I like all the ideas above and feel you could go light or dark with the trim. Add house numbers and lighting in the color scheme you pick. You could do the shutters or add thick trim pieces around window and porch area. Add some plants and small shrubs and this house will be adorable!

Getting rid of the stone would decrease the value of it. Painting it would take away from it.

Love the stone! but you may consider a small change to give it the updated look you want. A change, something like this in the alcove of the door area, would update the house just enough for your liking without changing all the stone. Give it some lighting like in the pic. Add some potted plants. Landscaping is key here, for this stone home.

I looked at your idea book and you seem to love a splash of color. So go with beautiful blue planters to give you the color you desire for the front of this home.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments. We are going to keep the stone (since we love it too) and go with suggestions of adding shutters, new window, door, trim and landscaping.
Happy holidays!

Do you know when the stone was added? The porch support post on the right side of the photo doesn't go all the way up properly. That leads me to think someone added the stone facade in the 1950's or 1960's- it's the kind of stone setting pattern that was popular then. Perhaps a trip to city hall to look at the permits would be helpful.

I would not add shutters to this home, but that's just me.

I definitely wouldn't do shutters. I would get new modern bold windows in black and do a modern door of black steel. It needs lighting. Beautiful stone.

I would put a bit of art work to the right of the door on the wall(towards the pillar). It would really break up the wall I feel like there should a window there.

No....don't remove it. It looks very natural with everything, in my opinion. The house has a character that I like.

I love the stone! It would love great with white trim, black lanterns and blue shutters as in this photo:

http://houzz.com/photos/444298

The stone is wonderful, practical and charming. You can clean it with a hose or a water. pressure tool. Dress it with exterior plants.

Dolores from www.designreasons.com

STEP AWAY FROM THE HAMMER AND THE CAN OF PAINT. Seriously. The stone is BEAUTIFUL.
First pressure wash it. have a professional do it.
then paint the window trim in white or black. do the same with the trim.
beef up the front door to a hefty 36" door with sidelights.
then pressure wash the concrete porch. now do an acid stain on that concrete.
add a couple of gorgeous light fixtures, a great bench and a big flower pot.
Plant your bed in front with a mix of pink rambler roses and catmint. [houzz=
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