I don't like the shutters at all. Not sure why. I think I would rather see something above the windows. Maybe some detail in that big blank space between 2nd floor windows.

I like the shutters, adds to the house. Front door I would think about a dark red, something that would draw attention to it instead of the front as a whole. Front yard looks like it would look great with native plantings, a few large rocks, etc.

Perhaps different colors on the shutters & door would help.

I would recommend watching episodes of "Curb Appeal: The Block" on the HGTV Website. In each episode, they do a big $20,000 makeover on one house, and smaller inexpensive makeovers on two other houses. And, they give good general advice on how to improve your house's curb appeal.

Here is a link that might be useful: HGTV Curb Appeal: The Block - Episodes

I like your house. Not lipstick on a pig level at all! I like the idea of shutters, but that is because I am used to them on my house. Yours looks good without as well.
Please, don't do a purple door. It looks like you are trying too hard to make a statement. Photoshop other ideas and we can take a vote here.
Work on the landscaping. Get rid of those bushes. That will make a world of difference.
Your house looks like it would be roomy and comfortable inside.

Shutters on the top window are a big improvement, but not sure about the windows downstairs. Maybe someone more design savy than me will weigh in on that one. I can see an indigo blue or red door with your siding - nothing too "flashy".

You have a very nice house. I think the shutters look good. I know the rules about shutters should be able to cover the window when closed, but some houses still look better with shutters. Black shutters and a black door would look nice. Dark red would look good too, but in my neighborhood 75% of the houses have some kind of red door.

I think I would concentrate on the landscaping. All of those hard surfaces give your house kind of a commercial look. The house is great, but it looks like its been turned into a business.

Your driveway takes up a lot of space, but I think its having all that sidewalk surrounding all those gardens, lined by all those blocks. Landscaping should soften the look of a home, and I don't think that is happening.

Of course, I'm guessing most of that is unchangeable unless some of the walkways are pavers. What about getting rid of some of the blocks around the gardens? The sidewalk already creates a border.

Just a thought, sorry I got a little carried away.

What about an awning over the lower window? (shutters on upper windows, just an awning over lower)

Your landscaping is going to be lovely - already much, much better.

Rather than adding shutters, which fill space but won't really make things substantially better, I'd consider beefing up the trim around the windows and the front door, painting the trim something other than dead white, painting the vertical trim between the door and the sidelight the door color to disguise the differing width, and installing more substantial lights beside the door.

If you can work it into your plan, I'd think about widening the porch to sit more comfortably under the overhang, and to give you a more comfortable space between the doorway and the railings at the sides. And I like the porch and stairs painted a darker color.

I'd also replace the newel posts at the bottom of the stairs with something simpler and more substantial, and paint the railings dark as well. The existing ones look rather frail, and more suited to an interior railing.

I wouldn't call your house a pig at all --but then again, I live in a 1969 split level! I like the simplicity of the khaki and white and I like the traditional style and wish my house had it. :-)

It looks to me like your plants will be growing and spilling over the blocks surrounding the beds, softening the look, so I wouldn't change those other than maybe to add some trailing plants near the edges if the plants you have won't do it.

I think your house would look charming with a solid row of flowering shrubs like hydrangeas along the front under the picture window, rather than that one shrub poking up all alone.

re: door color, I like the idea of the door painted black or navy blue. The simple and strong lines of your house make me want to take it in a tailored direction, rather than a painted-lady Victorian direction with a colorful door.

I'm a fan of colorful doors but our house isn't the right style for it, so I painted the back door that leads from kitchen to garden blue for my color fix.

Enjoy your unpiggy house!

How about changing out the fussy stair railing to something more in line with your handsome home?

Something like this, perhaps:

Consider beefier trim around windows & doors, too, instead of shutters.

A round gable vent to replace the square one would be nice.

It looks like a very nice house and I admire the way you're making a plan and a budget to approach any changes in a carefully planned way. I always admire bronwynsmom's suggestions, and this is no exception.

The yew with its evergreen presence will be a nice addition. No need to rip out the shrubs; plants of various heights and textures add a great deal of interest. I would add more foundation plantings just in front of the siding and go forward with your vision of mixed planting beds, repeating plants in groups of 3 or 5 to lend some cohesiveness. If you incorporate grasses you'll be able to divide them to make more plants later (but do choose clumping rather than spreading grasses). More landscaping will make a huge impact. Good luck, and have fun with it!

Thank you all SO much! I didn't think this thread even posted so it was a pleasant surprise to wake up this morning to lots of good advice. Thanks for the compliments on my house. I do really love my house but not such a fan of the beige. You're right that I'm a painted lady fan at heart.

Landscaping: 1000% agree. Way too many hard edges and the beige aggregate everywhere is not helping the overall beige look. I planted a lot of frondy and trailing things but they are growing soooo slowly. The only two things I have to add height right now are the maple (about 15 feet full grown) and a yew (about 10 feet). The branchy things to either side of the stairs are rose of sharon. I should have let my husband cut them down when they didn't leaf out until late August the first year, because now he LOVES them and won't part with them. So I have to green around them.

Door color: will follow up with some photoshops. Top contender right now is Scandi blue by BM but may be swayed on that one. Might not be dark/tailored enough and I can see where you all are going with that one.

Awning: Awnings aren't traditional in my neighborhood. Couldn't picture putting one in unless it was permanent.

[Traditional Entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2107) by Nashville Architect Eric Stengel Architecture, llc

Porch/stair/railings: Yes! SO on the money with that one! I knew I didn't like the railings but didn't consider that they were taking away from the front of the home. We had talked about replacing the stairs and beefing up the railing so that's going on the 'want' side for sure.

I want more than anything to have even just 3 or 4 feet of landing space at the top of the stairs. We want to have kids, don't you think strollers need a landing spot? (she says so she can make the case to her husband).

Gable vent: maybe something like this?

Shutters vs. trim: we've been debating back and forth on that ourselves. I'll try to mock up both.

The choices really depend on whether you want a more traditional look OR a more modern look ....

Yes -- a stronger simpler stair railing would be VERY nice!

Yes -- a vote for beefier window moldings -- on the top and bottom of the window frame -- then add larger plain white shutters on all of the front windows -- even the one on the far left-hand side of the house (in the photos) Perhaps add white window boxes on the larger lower window -- and that window on the left-hand side.

Add larger porch lights.

Yes -- a round or oval gable vent would be very nice!

Perhaps consider adding a fountain for additional visual height in your pretty front garden?

Ok, here goes with the first photoshop (yes, I am slow!)

Beefier front stairs, bigger lanterns, round gable cap, beefier trim, scandi blue door.

Idea 2

All of the above but with black shutters and a dark red door

Idea 3 - same but with the blue door (ps can you tell I'm having a hard time letting go of the blue!)

Edited to add: and yes to also doing up the window on the side -- I'm just so tired of photoshop!

This post was edited by robotropolis on Fri, Mar 8, 13 at 14:06

If it were my house, I'd add a plant trellis/pergola/arbor (I never can figure out what this is called when installed on a house) and plant a beautiful non-invasive vine, like an evergreen clematis or something appropriate to your climate. It would soften all the hard surfaces and bring the garden up higher. I'd place it at the same level as the lower point of the door porch roof and across above the larger window. It wouldn't have to be too deep, so as to not block your light to the window, or it could be a bit higher above the window if that is a concern. Or use it for flowering baskets like this pic:

[Contemporary Outdoor Products design[(https://www.houzz.com/products/contemporary-outdoor-products-pcat-br~t_639~s_2103) by Other Metro Garden And Landscape Supplies Arbororiginal

[Traditional Garage And Shed design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-garage-and-shed-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_749~s_2107) by Orange County Specialty Contractors Dynamic Garage Door

[Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by Chicago Architect Arlene Warda, Architecture+Interior Design

Not this big, but you could do a really fun color if you do want to tart it up!

[Eclectic Patio design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-patio-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_725~s_2104) by Denver Architect Confluence Architecture

VERY well done on the photoshop images!! :)

Both images certainly make the case for beefier moldings around the windows AND for the round gable AND for the new stairway too! :) And the black lanterns! :)

And I like the simple strong black shutters .... seems to visually "ground" the windows .... Interesting change!

I like your house with shutters even though the windows aren't made for them. I would not put them on the bottom picture window however. I don't think you can pull it off there. I think the blue door looks nice, if that's what makes you happy!

Yes, with the added trim above and below, I'll agree that shutters are a nice addition. (Just PROMISE me you will choose the right sizes, and hinge them on rather than nailing them to the house!)

I'd also think about not positioning the gable vent too high in the space, but giving it a little breathing room above.

In answer to the terminology question, as I use them, an arbor generally arches (or it can be flat) over a gate or a pathway or an outdoor room. A pergola is free-standing, composed of columns or posts and a trellis top. A trellis is a component, or something that stands alone, but refers to one dimension - a grid for plants to grow on.

Does it look weird to have the shutter up top extend beyond the side of the picture window?

I thought about giving the house a hat but I think it's a nonstarter. You guys are kinda winning me over on the black door, though.

I'm so glad there are people with photoshop skills here! It really brings the suggestions to life.

I really like the black door and the larger window trim and larger stair rail.

Less "skill" and more "hackjob" -- but thanks!!

On the landscaping front: I think you should plant something (annual vine/flower - like potato vine) that will grow quickly and be allowed to fall over the landscaping blocks in 2 or 3 areas into the walkway a bit. It would soften the commercial feel and make it a bit more casual. It would give the perennials a bit more time to grow in.

Thanks, that is a great idea. This year I made some crucial early mistakes in the garden (see that giant tree? I forgot it would leaf out when the sun was beating down in April!) and it took some time to recover. It's now been better planted with shade lovers, but you're right that it also needs some annuals to fill in the gaps while I'm waiting for my young perennials. The other thing last year I didn't realize is that in Nova Scotia you should plant your annuals about three times closer together than is recommended on the pot!

We hacked out the huge branchy bush you see (bridal veil spirea - very wrong for that spot) and took out a poor wine and roses weigela that was down to about two sticks. I stuck it in the back garden and forget about it and it's doing amazing! The larger rhodo in the back is staying. At least it's kinda green in the winter. We also have a little pieris that's doing gangbusters and I might add another for more winter green. Hard to find winter green + shade loving.

Re: pergola, I really couldn't see a pergola on the front like that. It would be a bold move compared to how non-cottagey the house is. Where I could see a pergola is over on the side and it would actually serve a purpose because the sun beats into that window which is right over my (future) kitchen sink.

This post was edited by robotropolis on Fri, Mar 8, 13 at 18:06

Band boards maybe? (Added on to the bottom too)

Re the window trim, I don't think the keystones over the windows work with the house style. That's more of a Federal/Georgian/Colonial look. Simpler trim works better.

I would change out the door. The single side light feels "off" to me. Either a larger single door, or a new header to do a wider opening and add another side light. If you are leaning modern, then something with horizontal panels or lights. If traditional, then perhaps you could find the original manufacturer of the existing door and just purchase a skylight to match.

I would make the porch/ landing bigger and have it covered. It is more inviting and great to have space for flower pots. I don't know why builders build a house with front door exposed to the elements. What do your guests do if it is raining? I don't know about you but I don't like getting wet waiting at the door. Also like the idea of beefier rails.

I would go with those dark blue on the door if it makes you happy. Just not the bright blue as that is a bit garish on your style of house.

The band boards look great! I think it makes all of the proportions look better. The black peak, I don't understand and don't think it looks right.

This house has come a long way already!

Robo, I'm terrible at photoshop, but here's an attempt. Why not make the hat larger, to encompass the second floor? That would help visually eliminate the shutter discrepancy that bothers you on the left-side window, by making the second floor its own element.

I agree on finding a new door with different symmetry - this one looks lopsided and isn't authentic 'period' anything, really.

Love both the blue and any other color for door and shutters, and agree that the federal cornice thingees over the windows don't really work with this vernacular style.

(I was aiming for a nice Scandinavian Copen blue but wound up with purple, sorry!)

You could even give the hat a double band, which could help eliminate the large gap above the picture window? Hmm.

Or make the whole schmear a hat? Hmm, maybe that's too top-heavy.

Or eject the shutters and just paint the trim blue?

I'm not a shutter fan, but maybe they do actually help, this looks a little too cottagey/cartoonish:

I'm not sure about the band in the middle, but like it at the bottom. It sure changes things by beefing up and painting the front porch/stairs. I would take things in stages, and see when you think it's "enough". Just doing a few small and not too expensive things like painting the door, having someone add beefier trim, might be just enough. What budget did you have in mind?

I think extending the porch across the front window would add some interest. And I'd also extend the portion over the front door outward as well to provide some weather protection.

I don't think I'd go so dark on the top but I like the bigger proportion of it. I also like the colored trimwork in lieu of shutters (not prefer, just like them both).

I like circuspeanut's last mock up - especially since it mostly just involves paint, so would be very cost effective. If you want to spend more money GreenDesign's idea of extending the porch roof looks great.

i like shutters on all the windows rather than just the top. and, personally, i like black for both the shutters and door.

in addition to beefing up the railings, i would enlarge the landing area so it takes up that whole area by the front door... it will come in handy with strollers, etc and you probably would have room for a small chair or bench or at least pots of flowers/pumpkins, etc!

i'm not crazy about fake 'plastic vents' ... but if the rectangular is just 'decorative' and not a real vent, i guess the photoshopped circular pics look better... if it's a real vent, would think more on that one... i don't know what the options are are how expensive it is to change...
i don't like the pics with the dark siding 'top hats'......

The house on this links reminds me a little of yours. Perhaps you can use a few of their ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: SoPo Cottage House Flip

Thanks so much everyone! I'm reading this instead of doing my statistics midterm...so maybe that's a thanks? Instead of a thanks! Ha ha!

Anyway, this year's budget is about $2k which could stretch to cover new stairs or new railings but wouldn't extend to porching out the roofline unless I learn some carpentry skills really quick. I completely 100% agree that adding a porch over the front door would be amazing. I live in a rainy climate and it is so much more welcoming that way. I totally dream of a front porch so maybe I should look into making it happen.

circuspeanut and GreenDesigns, thanks so much for your photoshops. I do love the longer hat! I think I may have made a mistake by making it so high contrast ... maybe a darker beige would be better than charcoal. I have an idea involving doing the porch and the hat in one color on vinyl shake, and leaving the bottom and the side the beige. Let me think on it...but don't let me photoshop it tonight! My midterm is due at midnight.

Although I like colored trim, there is no way I would paint cheap vinyl trim, thereby removing its only bonus (low maintenance) but maybe I can go shopping and see if there are multi-colored trims available? I kind of like the look of a white trim with just a little black square around it. Very tailored.

I'm mixed on the barn boards. I like the look of them online but am unsure if they fit with the decided charmlessness of my builder-grade beige vinyl -- I love them on houses with shakes!

Replacing and reframing the front door is probably out of the budget. Unless I could get one the same width but with skinny sidelights on either side...

Ok - what if the darker brown parts were coordinating vinyl shakes? Man I wish my roof were more peaked.

This post was edited by robotropolis on Sat, Mar 9, 13 at 21:51

I think all the 2-tone/"hat" schemes just call attention to the flatter roof peak and look cramped. I prefer it all one color, and like the black shutters and door or the dark blue door.

I love this one - nice and simple and elegant. (though a centered door would make me happier somehow!)

Hi everybody!

I just wanted to say that this discussion was incredibly helpful and really helped me put my priorities in order. I've decided step 1 is going to be functional: extend the front steps in order to get a larger landing coming from the front door (the landing is only 20" wide). That will probably eat up most of my budget for this year. Good side bonus is that I'll get those big modern railings and the bigger presence of the front stairs.

Step 2, also in budget will be to paint front door black and add bigger lights (already have)

Step 3, hopefully in budget this year, will be to add wider trim around the windows

Step 4, also functional, will be to get the roof extended over the new landing. I really fear the quotes on this one and imagine it won't get done this year, but it is something I really, really want to do.

Step 5 will be to add shutters and I picture that taking a few years to work into the budget. I do think they will add a lot but also think they should come after I've improved the function of the exterior.

I've come to realize through your comments that having a covered front step will add both to beauty and function of the home, so thank you VERY much!