I'm writing in case people are still reading this thread. I'm not a professional but I have studied,researched theory, and worked with paint on my own for years. First thing I'd say is that they is no way you can pick out paint colors for the exterior of a house unless you know what region of the U.S. the hous is located. A gray that's beautiful in Portland, Oregon isn't going to look good on a house in Florida. I wish all these people that live in Florida knew that. Perhaps you wouldn't be seeing all these brownish/gray beiges that look muddy and dreary. You have the correct undertones to deal with the harsh sun in Florida. Battleship gray doesn't work. Any color you choose be sure to paint a large patch on the side of the house before you paint the whole thing. Look to see if it looks grayed out and muddy. Or way too saturated with color. A peachy color on a small swatch at the paint store will look totally different on a whole house. Like the lady in a subdivision where I use to live who decided she wanted a shell pink house and ended up with pepto bismal pink. And expensive lesson, since the HOA made her repaint it. Florida, at least Central Florida, is terrible with this style of mediterrean architecture. Those huge columns and arches on these mide size homes are so over powering. I feel it's best to try to stay monochromic with color choices as not to highlight all the columns, archs and do-daddy styrofoam trim they put all on one house. It's not easy choosing exterior paint color there a lot of things to consider. Just make sure to invest in paint samples.

Just saw this thread....my! what a difference! It just goes to show that a little paint can make a big change. The ornamental kale referred to above would be beautiful in your front planter....there is a version that is creamy white centers and grayed green leaves. That would look terrific. A nursery generally would sell the big versions (about 12" or more across), so it wouldn't take too many to make a statement. If the kale lasts long enough in your area, you could infill with some bright red oversized outdoor ornaments for the holidays! One more thing I think would be great is a brand spanking new American flag. Good work. You are right to be proud!

A few different things to consider! First, WHERE IS this house? this makes a lot of difference as to plantings; some of the plant suggestions are dependent on this like camellias that someone suggested and even rhododendrons that are area specific, though there azaleas of different varieties suitable for different climates. HOWEVER...we are not talking about a large area here! In fact it's rather small so relandscaping should not cost that much. Those bushes are really old and tired and cannot just be 'trimmed' since the branches are too fat by now and would look terrible when cut back. They served their purpose already! I gather funds available for now are limited so I'd guess the house Color must stay the same for now but using one of the paint company's plans to choose colors on line is excellent for planning ahead. They also have 'collections' preplanned and they are a great help. I like the general house color but think it could be lightened up some but must work with the prominent roof color as it does so well now. My next question is this: What happens INSIDE that door? Does it go into an entry way and if so, what color IS that area? IT is a good idea to coordinate the inside/outside colors. Most seem to like something in the red/orange hues but even going to the blues could be a good thing...a light blue or a light turquoise would work well with the house color...but it should stay light since the covered entry is dark. A light green would work too but I'd prefer the blue. OF course I already like the orange! I Can't tell what happens on either side of the house; is there any room? A driveway or lot line limiting what can be planted? IF not, a dwarf blue spruce on one end would bring some color to the front and give some needed height, or if staying with the orange/red idea, what about one of the Japanese maples that have red leaves some turning beautiful oranges in the fall? Someone mentioned hydrangeas which I love and have many of, but they go dormant in the winter and leave a 'hole'. Layering the planting is always a good idea too, using myrtle or pachysandra in front of shrubs is always good and a gentle way to graduate from the grass up to the bushes. There are many dwarf shrubs available rather than things that will outgrow the plan. Keep us informed! Good luck!

That bulb is inefficient and not enough lumens. Use a regular CFL bulb with around 5500 Kelvin color temperature and around 1200 Lumens, 20-25 Watts. Kale is a cool weather plant. The bulb you have will be too hot. You may be able to get by with 14 hours per day of light for such an early season crop. Use a reflector such as this to direct the light. Of course, you could find a more decorative adjustable arm desk type lamp with a reflector as long as it directs the light in the right size "cone". You may be able to light three buckets in a tight group with one bulb. You can do this simply by putting a wood stake in the bucket to hold the light so that you can adjust it up and down. The light should be 12-18" above the bucket/ plant. You can use Kale for everything from sprouts, micro-greens to add to a salad when thinning the plants, sautéd at baby sized like spinach, to full sized like you are probably used to doing. If you find that you like the micro and baby sizes, you may want to stick with growing them, and you may still end up with a few full sized once in a while, but you can always get those at the local market. I grow several greens this way all year long, but I never let them get to maturity because I don't think it is worth it since I can get those at the store. Also, a tray 6" deep will work for salad greens and those small and tender enough to sauté (micro, and baby Kale). https://www.bbbseed.com/how-to-grow-baby-kale/