HI --I think a pair of hanging lanterns on brackets would look good. Or a pair of the flat back style or even something in a mid-century style sconces.

Bigger!!! As big as you can get. something like this.
http://www.lightingdirect.com/savoy-house-5-259-monte-grande-3-light-wall-mount-lantern-with-pale-cream-seeded-shade/p444452?intcmp=recs_prod5-259_productPageWRatings3Items_placement1

Leave the door black but get rid of the diagonal numbers!

Ooh. I kind of love that, chase4. Thank you! Lol. I also hate the diagonal numbers!

For perspective, here is another picture of the house from farther away.

I see coach style lanterns on either side of your door..You could also do your house numbers on a white plate (black trim) and hang it on the brick wall..I have attached a few examples for you. The coach style lighting is very affordable with Progress Lighting..

In order to make the first floor appear taller, I would entertain painting the white trim areas in a greige/taupe to more closely match the roof color. I like the black on the doors and shutters. I don't think that red will work at all, especially not with the brick color. However, having said that, if you want color on the door, and you are tending towards red, make sure you go much more towards an orangey-red so it blends with the brick. If you do this, then you might want to paint the shutters in a very dark greige, going towards an espresso color. Can the windows be painted? That makes a difference. I like the large lanterns - perfect for the style of house.

As far as the landscaping, just a couple of comments (since you are finding someone to redo it). The shrubs in the size they are now just further cut the first story in half. I would keep the plantings very low so that they come up visually on the house as little as possible. Also, if you plant out into the yard in front of the front door, it will give some depth from the street, and pull the eye towards the front door, and less along the low, horizontal lines of the house. A couple of very large urns set outside the walk would also be appropriate and lovely.

I love the greige idea for the trim and also agree that the bushes flanking the doors have to go. That is #1 in our plan for the front of the house. What does everyone think of these lights?
I figure I have two options: 1) go colonial (which is what the house is attempting to be), or 2) go with the period of the house (1969). I think these mid-century lights kind of play-up/embrace the wacky 1970's architecture of the home. That said, I'd like to do more traditional landscaping (hydrangeas, large-leafed hostas, etc.) in the front. Would these lights clash with that?

Are you leaving the wrought iron railing in place? That is a very traditional element. I think that either of these fixtures is too contemporary for the house, even recognizing that it is a 60s style. They also have a bit of the Mission style to them, which, while nice, doesn't work with your architecture. You don't have to go goopy, but more of a traditional lantern look is called for. How about something like this one http://image.lampsplus.com/is/image/20766.fpx?qlt=65&wid=236&hei=236&fmt=jpeg You need a LARGE fixture, too. In fact, depending upon the detail of the fixture, it should probably take up almost all the space of the current fixture plus the address.

A large, as will fit, lantern protruding out from the house.

Ooh. I had forgotten about the scroll railing. Neither of us like it and we'd really like to see it go, but that will be a project for several years down the road when we do more work on the exterior. So, you are absolutely right that we need to work with it for the time being. I also agree that we need even larger light fixtures than the currents. Thank you, judyg, for the picture. That totally helps me picture the look of a larger fixture with the mansard roof. Really like the fixture suggested by chase4 and now thinking something along those lines.

I think you should wait for the landscape architect to help with the lighting. I would rather see yard lighting to illuminate the porch and house front; just be patient and let it all be designed together. Good luck
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20484224,00.html

I may be wrong but it looks like your house is more trying to look like a French Chateau version of a colonial. I would work with it, even though it was built in 1969, it does not look mid-century modern to me. I think of those being more the split level or ranch. I think it can be really charming without being frou-frou. We live in a 1968 "Dutch Colonial". I always say to people it is the 1960's interpretation of a Dutch Colonial! We have several in our neighborhood of your style, and they are kind of done in the French style and are very charming without being too sweet. Also, maybe could replace the two front door bushes with some type of tall evergreen like an arborvitae or something along that line, to draw the eye up. love the house!

Thank you, mrsrosie! Do you happen to have any pictures of the houses nearby? I would love to see. I don't think of our house as having much "French" about it, but I do definitely consider it a 70's interpretation of something! :-) I saw your response to my previous post and thank you for your input. I was also leaning toward "cottage-y".

I just voted. Looks like there is not contest. I think your house is charming!

Fampoula, your house is the 60s reincarnation of French. Just Google "mansard roof" in images and you will find plenty of photos!

Take a look at this house http://www.fswarchitects.com/pages/portfolio/p18/#gallery/p18.0frontG.jpg
Notice how the roof line is higher than on your house? I might see if a builder couldn't come and see if the roofline could be raised - that would eliminate the more squat look. It would also make the dormer windows look more in scale to the roof. If the brick doesn't go up - which it probably doesn't - you could always use a wide trim board to make up the difference. This photo also makes me think that it would be REALLY pretty to replace those two first floor windows with taller windows. Not cheap, but it could really be beautiful. Just a couple of ideas for future reference!

The Dutch colonial look needs light fixtures that will draw up too. I would go big and long, hanging with hangers and not fixed into the wall. See pic. Google dutch colonial, exterior lighting for lots of ideas and paint jobs and roof line ideas!
http://www.pattibros.com/wall-lanterns.html

I personally love a NOT black or red door but a deep red maple with a hint of chocolate. It would tie everything together with a japanese/red maple out front as a centerpiece with flowers around it...

Aloha!

I would agree that your house has a French feeling, because it has a Mansard roof. The problem you are having is that it is the roof that would have been the third floor of a two story house, at least. That's why it seems out of proportion. I agree with an earlier post that you should remove the shrubs. Go with multch and something that would feel almost like ground cover. Spreading yews can be kept very low, and so can dwarf spirea, and the spirea come in several colors if you want accents. I like the idea of wrought iron, hand forged looking lanterns. The black doors work, and it's safer with brick than many colors. Red is tricky to use with a red brick. You could do a kind of mustard yellow or deep green if you want color, but I think black is the way to go. I would also get rid of the diagonal numbers, and paint all the white in a warmer color. Something beige/tan would be good with both the roof and the brick. Right now the white is chopping up the facade even more. If you could actually match the roof color it might be your best bet. It would take that from looking like a huge roof to looking like cedar siding.

Have you changed out your lights yet? If not, you should call Karen over at Lantern & Scroll and let her help you. They are so helpful, reasonable, and easy to work with. I recently bought these for my front door. And all made in the USA. Cheers!