Do you think black shutters will look good on a tan house or does it date it? Should I get rid of the white trim and do more of the neutral tone? Should I paint the door a different color then too?

Any other advice out there? Anyone that is handy with digital imaging it would be super helpful to see a visual.

I attached my best attempt at a pic with black shutters.

If it were my house I would do black shutters. I find that I really like high contrast designs. Otherwise the facade looks washed out and somewhat uninteresting eve though your house is beautiful. Doesn't have to be straight black-- charcoal or another dark color will also work.

Thanks, keep the comments coming!

What if we decided to scrap the shutter idea all together and went with a similar trim around the windows like the one I attached?

I would accent the doorway somehow. Put a covered porch or something like the previous picture without shutters. More of an expense but it would create a focal point.

I would suggest a new front door surround with pilasters on each side. Add larger matching lights on each side of the door. Remove the glass French door unless you need one. Add brackets to the underside of the second floor overhang. (See Fypon brackets) You can paint the white vinyl shutters. If you order new vinyl shutters in black, make sure the single shutter measures 1/2 the window width.

Have you ever considered a deck on each side of the stoop along with a good landscape designer ?

P.S The house color is too bland . It's milk toast

So similar to this house where they added pillars? It looks like they recently just took off their shutters and are in process of new ones.

Some sort of brown will show better.

Brown what? We moved into the house literally just after all the siding was replaced so unfortunately changing the color of the house I don't think would be a good investment since the siding is literally brand new.

I like the idea of scrapping the shutters altogether! And doing the shake shingles on the bump out in a little darker shade. You have some good ideas...trust your instincts!

I would paint it a soft pale green, add some landscaping

I am so glad you suggested removing the shutters and adding trim. That will really look great. Not sure I liked that picture you posted of the house with the dark trim or pillars or whatever that is. You have some great ideas and your house will look great.

Anyone know how to digitally see what my house would look like with white trim instead of shutters?

Black shutters, add wooden or wrought iron railings to the steps and get alone giant pots and put an arrangement of colorful flowers in them. Place them on the steps. Paint the white trim around the door black and have a red door. Also, plant some green shrubs in front of the house on both sides.

I love the front of this house! Keep the shutters in a tan colour & concentrate on the door as a focal point. You could add a gable (small peaked roof) over the door with some pillars. Paint the door in a trendy colour, or your favourite colour to add to your point of interest.

Navy shutters, brown door, white trim, shrubs under windows.

I was reading your post again about adding shakes to the middle of the house. I know it would cost more so it might be prohibitive, but you could instead add a tan brick in a similar or darker tan shade or a stacked cultured stone around the door and middle window section. It would look very rich with the color combination in the above photo. You could choose a different navy than the one above but not too light or too bright of a blue. A deep almost brown, red could look great too if you prefer a red tone. It's a very nice home to and will look great with the paver look sidewalk and some landscaping.

I would consider applying stone veneer around entry and center window and continue the stone around entry patio. Have the shutters painted in a grey tone that accents the stonework. Perhaps also having the veneer applied to front garage wall. Than install landscaping. I have attached an image for you. Lastly, update the entry door. Good Luck!

Oh wow... I really like that and thanks for attaching the pic. Great work. Is stone veneer expensive? Does it look cheap in person?What are your thoughts on dark navy shutters (like pictured)vs the gray?

I think your house is a beautiful architectural design and that you would be wise to embrace the colonial look. However, if you add black shutters, the black color will make the siding look darker and more dismal. You could brighten the total effect by painting the shutters and all the trim a bright white. By "all the trim," I mean you should include the edge of the roof and the wide trim that encases the "box" around the upper, center window and the side lights. If the front door has panels, you might paint the outer boards of the door a color and then paint the recessed panels white. A matching white coach light on the right side of the door will give balance and more contrast to the entrance way. I also would suggest you paint or tile the porch floor and porch ceiling different shades of the door color and then paint the edge of the porch, outer porch walls, and the risers or backs of the steps white.

As an alternative to what I suggested above, shutters in a light peach with a peach door would look refreshing. I still would keep the trim and other aspects of the house white. A peach porch floor and porch ceiling would be too much, so I would advise sticking to white.

You're welcome. I had some free time, and you were the lucky winner. :) Stone veneer ranges between $80-$150 per 10 sq. ft. I personally think that two much contrast in the current color scheme might not be a good idea. I lean towards a more soothing color theme that is more easy on the eye. However, here is an image with navy shutters. Your choice.

That's awesome I agree, I think the lighter option you sent first was the way to go! Thanks again