I think i would put a set of shutters on the bottom window also, for some reason does not look balanced. Paint, maybe a color that would not stand out so much, needs to be blended...Ok just a thought.

Look at this house.

White siding, white trim, and shutters to match your roof. I can't tell if its black or charcoal gray.

Jogging path from I think Sherwin Williams is a great trim color so I would use that on the shutters and a Khaki color on the siding. I would not paint the brick. Window boxes are a good idea and maybe some landscaping in front.

Sage green paint on the whole house with graphite grey shutters both upstairs and downstairs including on either side of the door with cream accents on the windows. Landscaping shows up great against sage green.

Don't call me crazy, but....the house has brick everywhere but the second floor, front. Would you take a look at BM Historic Somerville Red and see if it works with your brick?
I want to bring the brick color up. Then paint all the trim a dark gray...no shutters.

I snagged some colors from the brick as a start with Sherwin William's exterior palette. These tri-color palettes are:
SW6354 Armagnac / SW6188 Shade Grown / SW7678 Cottage Cream
SW6342 Spicy Hue / SW7700 Olde World Gold / SW7569 Stucco
SW6177 Smokey Topaz / SW7044 Amazing Gray / SW7055 Enduring Bronze

Hope this helps!

Best,

everyone is so anxious to paint brick but there are some downsides down the road - peeling etc if not done right. Agree with window boxes OR decorative wood trim below the upstairs windows and yes, get longer, shutters (wider shutters would make that area look smaller). Add shutters to downstairs pic window as well.
it appears there MAY be room for shutters on each side of the door as well - all the shutters should be the same width, except perhaps if you put them on each side of your door.
You have some good suggestions for paint color...

Personally I would reside with shaker shingles ..and add widow boxes on the upper windows ans shutters on the lower and probably front door

Deep maroon or burgundy that goes with the brick, and creamy white shutters.

yes, Teresa, have seen a lot of shaker shingles on updates and new homes - used for accent as it would be on this home! I like that idea!

For a more modern look, I would paint the brick a dark charcoal colour and do all the woodwork the darkest espresso colour i could do before it becoming black. But otherwise, lighten the top with a bright white and why not have fun with the shutters by doind a cheerier colour like a cranberry red for shutters and door (garage door as well). Also i too would definitely add shutters to the lower window for balance.

Paint the siding a shade that blends with the brick giving you a monocramatic front.Think more about the shape of your house than colour at first. Pick a creamy white trim and the shutters a dark shade of your choice from any hetitage colour family.. Most other houses this style have a starting point of a solid body colour and then go from there. You might think about window boxes if possible.

once that is done, a little more landscaping - it appears the over-grown old shrubs were removed - that's a good thing. Always plant shrubs the size you want to keep them and then groom ANNUALLY to keep them from becoming overgrown. NOTHING ages a home more than over-grown shrubs!

I think the easiest fix would be to paint the siding a sage green color like Eleanor was saying. Keep the black/gray shutters, and add similar shutters to the downstairs window. Trim stays white. I would not paint the brick, but would add window boxes as others have suggested. I think that painting the siding brick red or any neutral color (brown, cream, etc.) would end up looking drab. Part of the appeal of the current blue color is that it's cheerful and welcoming. I think a happy Sage color would just be a better alternative to the blue.

I would paint the upper house in a grey to match grout between the brick then paint shutters black and add shutters to bottom windows,making sure they are wide enough to read true. I would also add a flat roof over the front porch and support it with two pillars to give the house some interest and dignity. A classic boxwood hedge at the base of the house would be easy to look after and soften the brick..

To give the house more presence I would paint the siding the color of the brick or paint the whole house a medium cream including the trim then paint your shutters a dark brown or black and a pop of color on your front door. Instead of shutters on the bottom window how about two Japanese Maples on both sides. Good luck!

Paint the siding a darker shade of the brick and then pop the shutters above and below in a charcoal grey. add window bases in a slightly lighter shade of grey, fill with purple pansies and you're done.

I would paint it more of a neutral color and add bushes under the large window with a tall plant beside the door on the porch.

Paint The Siding Bright Purple Pain The Shutters Bright Orange Pain the Brick Bright Yellow

I believe wipigaki should first paint his or her house those colors so that we could observe this colorful creation.

If it is not too late to wiegh in, I'd like to see the house painted dark brown with deep red shutters and door.

It would look great with the brick. Here are some examples of the combination:

Wigpaki has lost their credibility in this discourse.

I would paint it charcoal gray and paint shutters white with white molding...and add shutters to bottom window.

Paint the siding in a tan color. It will go great with the brick. Paint the shutters a lighter shade of the tan.

A creamy off-white or tan on the siding with navy shutters and front door would be spectacular. It would also look very nice with your charcoal grey roof.

This would look awesome....and I'd paint the brick to match. So pretty.

Match the shutters to the darkest brick and the siding to the lightest brick, adjusting if needed so they go well together. Put shutters on bottom windows and planter boxes on the upper. Extend the shutters to the bottom of the planter boxes. If you don't like planters. frame the bottom of the window to resemble crown molding in the house and extend the shutters accordingly. Either match the framing or planters to window frames. Match the door color either to the shutters or the siding or the window frames. Put an awning of some sort over the door, at least to cover the entry step. Match it to shutters, siding, or window frames, just not the door.

Adding shutters to either side of the large picture window would look silly and completely out of place. Historically, shutters functioned as a means to protect windows from bad weather. There is no shutter in the world that would be big enough to cover the picture window. Even the shutters up top are too skinny. I know the look is meant to be decorative, but they should scale appropriately with the window opening even if they are fake.

I agree with all the suggestions to add window boxes to elongate the upper windows and add some visual interest. With that being said, I would consider custom made shutters that are slightly wider to scale with the windows but not longer. Again, no shutters around the picture window! Add a large window box below the picture window and fill all the window boxes with seasonal flowers that are easily changed out, creating an inviting ambiance with your home.

To bring balance to the front facade, I would strongly consider redefining your front door by adding a covered entryway. For one, it would introduce some much needed drama and create a great first impression when guests approach your home. This site has great ideas to show you what I mean. If you consider adding a front entry it will greatly enhance your curb appeal even if you didn't do anything else. This is what your home really needs to shine!

Color option: I like complements, and your orangish brick would play well with a deep, saturated navy blue on top and on the door. Shutters, a creamy beige/khaki.

On my computer, the siding color appears to be a medium blue grey, which looks fine with the dark grey or black shutters, along with the black roof and black door. If you are keeping the black roof, I would suggest you paint the siding white and keep the dark grey or black shutters on the upper level. Then, add matching shutters on the lower window and even have shutters to flank the front door. If possible, add shutters to all the windows and doors around the house. Not only will the house look complete, but the contrasting shutter color will take attention away from the brick.