How can I add character without adding a lot of money?

MJ - the deck and planters are amazeballs . . for not too much money, I'm going to suggest you paint the siding a dark red like the brick. Take down the funky shutters that are too small and on only a few windows. Paint the teal garage door the same red so it doesn't pop forward and the lovely front door - a soft butter yellow - sw has bees wax that comes out perfectly against red brick. Match the paint for the siding to the brick color itself. Leave the garage door, the fascia / trim / window trim all white. With the cedar deck and boxes adding a bit of rustic modern (since they are a bit contemporary in line) the red ranch will be soooo charming, but unified. Your lovely traditional windows will really help make that statement - red evokes a modern farmhouse and there are so many ways to go with that.

If you are not quite brave enough to go all red, then use a dark charcoal gray on the siding like the color combo of the second house - again, leave the white trim and garage door. Do a medium / lighter gray front door with that combo. This time, you may want to stain the cedar planter boxes driftwood gray to start.

Urban Farmhouse · More Info

Water's Edge, Lake Chatuge - Lakeview · More Info

change the garage door to match the cedar boxes. add shrubs on the right hand side under the smaller window and around the house. paint the 2 doors a brighter color that compliments the cedar boxes.

I'd paint the garage door to match the shutters and doors (blue?). I'd also put a cedar trellis over the garage, to tie in the cedar on that side and dress it up a little. I'd put something on it that has a little color, like trumpet vine or a clematis.

mills · More Info

Past Projects · More Info

As has been mentioned, you need to find a way to integrate the disparate elements/materials of your house. That will instantly make a big difference. The brick is pretty cool and wooden planters very warm and orangy and the shutters and doors cool blue and cool grey roof.

I think you need to make that planter cool. Maybe a cool grey wash finish?

You might also consider painting the front door black. Search houzz for black front doors!

You could paint the garage door, the door by the garage and the shutters medium gray...

To make it more affordable check to see if you have a habitat for humanity restore near you, you can buy paint very affordably. Or frequently check the hardware stores for paint "mistake" gallons. You can get high quality paint for pennies on the dollar.

Now for plants. Going monochromatic and all season interest, you could order bulbs from seed catalogues to get more bang for your buck, plus, these can be divided every three years or so, so you get more free plants.

I'd plant white tulips or white narcissis (sp?) for spring and in the same planters white re blooming daylilies. As the spring bulbs die back the summer daylilies grow and cover the brown leaves (which need to be kept as they help nourish the spring bulbs)

Very simple but powerful.

You coukd exchange the tiny foundation bushes with two Annabelle hydrangea. They flower all summer and super easy care and can be bought from seed catalogues too. They are small the first year but after that they are very full.

I don't see your address, so you might look for some very interesting big numbers to add to your facade.

Landscaping will do wonders for this house. Look for a variety of plant colors and heights.

I would paint the utility side door white so that the front door becomes more of a focal point.

i would paint the red brick a taupe green color. or gray.
paint the utility door the color of the siding.
paint the trim a shade darker to match the shutters.
get two new lights one for the post and door.
and you need to get your landscape on. with new beds.

Paint areas next to bricks Carmel color paint doors, shutters garage door dark taupe