We are getting new windows too. They come in either almond or stark white. Which do you prefer? I lean toward the almond just because all my trim from the inside is more cream than stark white. I worry the white is just too much contrast with the bricks as well. However, with the almond, it tends to come and go in style and I don't want them to be dated. I also don't want them to look dirty. What do you think?

One other thing is the door. I am removing the storm door but am considering replacing it with a regular screen door. What do you think? I have seen a great one with the upper section is in diamonds and the bottom is a large square. Do you think that would work? Or maybe just the double square or a single rectangle? I have to have some kind of screening but I don't care for storm doors. The wood door is solid wood with six panels.

Well you can either do cream to lighten it up but I'm thinking of a green (dark sagey, olive type green). It would look good with the current bricks or the white with wood shutters.

Yep, I agree with mlraff, my first thought was green, sage/olive muted green.

~~Veronica

If you paint the bricks/siding in that lovely fresh white -- then do paint the area around the door in that same color.

Then with your classic French Country shutters -- you could leave the door in its natural color (add a large black iron door knocker) OR go for classic satin black.

The biggest change will come when your paint the brick -- can't wait to see the "after" pictures!

And the landscaping -- of course -- add lots of curving gardens and gravel/stones walkways and paths. Add a small tree (and adjoining garden) in the area between the two front windows. Perhaps a sitting area just beyond the front door with gravel bed and simple concrete pavers?

Jan

Thanks everyone. I never considered olives which is odd since it is one of my favorite colors. I have used it alot inside. I just can't imagine it outside. Does anyone know how to photoshop well? I would appreciate a view if you could help a gal out. Thanks.

teacats, thanks for the advice. The only problem I see is that we were hoping to wait on painting the bricks. Our thinking is leave the bricks until we are absolutely sure that other options won't work since it is so hard to remove. I figure if we find great colors that work with the bricks and yet still don't like the bricks then it should work as well with a cream too.

I do love the idea of leaving the door the natural wood color, it is beautiful. Oh, a knocker would be fab! Gotta be on the lookout for one. I am already looking for shutter dogs. I love them. As for the landscaping, we are wanting to work on that asap. We just didn't know what we were doing with the house so didn't want to invest in lots of landscaping until then. We have even thought about adding a porch across the front but I fear that is out of our budget. We have a guy coming to look at that. A sitting area would be great though. We have a mimosa tree right outside of view from the pic and it is beautiful. From the mimosa back to the road is lots of trees including a live oak. It really is nice and I want the house to fit in rather than be dated. I also planted a crepe myrtle near the corner of the house. It isn't very large now but will be about 12' and will be nice. More info than you needed to know. LOL.

If you have any suggestions on what to do with the brick color for now, I would love to hear them. Thanks.

Any other ideas or advice?

I like your house and lke the brick colors. What is the lightest color of brick? White/creamy? What if you did anything that was blue in that color? And also got the windows in that color? Might help to offset the darkness of the roof.

I like your plan and love the shutters, but am I the only one who doesn't seem them on this house? I'm not style purist but I'm not sure they'll look right on this house. Maybe my imagination is failing me.

I agree with Marilyn's suggestions.

Also, I don't know what grows in your area, but are there any variegated plants (white and green, yellow and green), that would work in the front of your house?

I hope you don't have to paint the bricks.

Good luck