Thanks to both of you. I think my bigger problem is that I hate the color of the house. It appears more green on the color swatch and also in pictures. However, it looks much more gray (I call it camouflage) in person. I'm good with choosing another color for the Hardie but my husband disagrees. It would be too costly to repaint so I'm trying to find a brighter door color. This one just doesn't appeal to me at all. As far as shrubs and flowers go, I'm not sure I'd be able to have year-round color in ground. I will give it another look though and perhaps choose a deeper, richer red. Thanks again.

http://www.boldsky.com/home-n-garden/gardening/2013/red-leaves-plants-032032.html#slide2893

adding a bit more colour and you will be happy :)

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/trees-and-shrubs-for-fall/

Thanks, Genevieve. I'm going to consider your suggestions on the landscaping ideas.

I think the house color/roof, etc. are really nice and it just may be that you had a color in mind and are a bit disappointed. What about one of the colors below - all are a bit rustic and would suit your house and the fireplace stone and roof.

Whidbey Island Getaway · More Info

Stephanie's Cottage · More Info

Farmhouse Entry · More Info

Blue Door · More Info

Now, one more question...

The main entry door will be Bohemian Black as I mentioned previously. We have an oak leaf and acorn onlay that we will adhere to the center of the door. Since we're painting the door black, will the onlay show up enough or should we silver it to make it stand out more?

Thanks, Maureen. I love the blue doors but they would clash with the Hunter's Hollow green on the Hardie.

Could you take a picture of it if would help :)

HI Maureen :)

If the doors are what I see on he picture then yes they should be the same colours ,and if the doors are located far apart then things change .

On a black door silver would look fabulous

735 Buttercup Trace · More Info

Answer on the inlay depends on lighting -- if there's enough light, the relief should be enough. Black is good for that, as are other darker colors.

As for colors, if you want to brighten things, have you considered a real golden yellow? (I notice that the stairs in the 2nd photo below are similar to your house color.)

Druid Hills Mid Century Modern · More Info

Exterior · More Info

My Houzz: Paint and Pluck Revamp a Portland Ranch · More Info

Miz D · More Info

Craftsman Cottage - Rosedale Ave · More Info

My Houzz: Custom Built Wheelchair Accessible Home In Clovelly Trails · More Info

I sure will take a picture and post a little later. Thanks for the advice, all of you. Going to consider...

Ok. Paint the front door Tardis Blue. Everytime you open up to go inside, there will be so much unexpected space. It is Pantone 2955c

http://tardis.soup.io/post/281914737/Well-this-is-official-Tardis-blue-color

I think a high gloss black with pewter hardware, (door knocker?) would be classy with your house color. However, I am a huge fan of cobalt blue or navy blue. Vibrant, and eye catching with your house color. Have a sample made up and try it. I feel you might like it. I cannot vision any other color. Red-not. My house is gray. Front door is blue. Love it. It looks right.

Wow, in those mock-ups I really like the plum (the first one). What, no yellow? ;)

Grover, you beat me to it. The mock-ups. Yay you. Here's one with the brighter blue, a la Chook's suggestion.

Wow, thanks for the pictures. Wish I were savvy enough to know how to do that. After looking at all of them, I'm thinking we should paint all exterior doors black and then add color with landscaping as some of you have suggested. The doorknob on the main door is also black and it wasn't inexpensive or I'd consider doing a silvering refinish to that and do the silvering on the oak onlay as well. The porch floor will change too. Any suggestions for a floor paint? Sorry for all the questions and dilemmas. This is the fifth house we've built and I never second-guessed myself on the others. On this one, though, with all the other stressors (being a secondary caregiver to my mom who lives in a nursing home down the street...and also to my mother-in-law) I almost feel like I'm shutting down on the house issue. We're hoping to finish up wishing the next 3-4 weeks so I'm starting to get nervous.

Audley, it sounds like you need a day off. Some deep breathing, some spoiling, something that has nothing to do with the house or your mom or mom-in-law. Just one day. Possible? Swimming? Silly movie?

FWIW, my faves are the rusty red and the teal.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I decided on all black doors; the main reason being how close the two front doors are to each other. I think the silvering of the oak leaf decal will distinguish the main entry from the other to the right of it. I also think that once we have more of the white trim painted and the color on the porch floor finalized, (hopefully) it will come together. Maybe I need to take a day off as Rina suggested.

One more quick question: what color do you all suggest for the porch floor? Our designer suggested Austere Gray by Sherwin Williams. It just looks so boring though.

be still my beating heart, probably not the color for you, but I love that tardis blue! I actually like all the colors suggested, except the lighter green and the lighter turquoise.

Ah, you have the aristocratic taste of a Time Lord, havingfun.

maybe if i do it and you do it we will step in one and come out the other. what a sophisticated way to travel! lol

What if Audley does it too.

Audley's not going to do the Tardis blue because she's not as bold as either of you. :-)

I'm needing to stay pretty conservative on the floor color since the rest of this house is so neutral. I could do something bolder and more fun if the Hardie weren't so Camo green. I've already told my husband since he doesn't want to go to the expense of repainting the whole exterior at this stage that I'm likely going to do it within the next three years. Knowing me as well as he does, he knows it's going to happen.

For the floor you might consider a very dark red, or match the roof colour. Then next time round you can do it in polka dots. (Just don't tell husband about that yet.)

Of all the colors shown as possibilities for the front door I favor blue, only much darker. It is smart and your have a lot of white going on. For the floor, I would go with a very dark, gloss gray. You don't want to get too busy with colors. Your house paint is fine. Go to a garden center or the box stores,. Indulge in a couple of vertical planters in the color of the front door.. For me, my eye still says blue. Put some colorful plants in. Some with height and some ivy or vinca or wave petunia that will drape ove the side of your pots. One thing at a time. You can do it.
But when you decide on a change and like the results, stand back and be proud of your accomplishments. And definitely, take time for yourself. Be good to yourself so you can enjoy your beautiful home and your projects.

Gray on the porch floor will not be boring. It will, if dark, be in keeping with the house. I don't feel you would expect to see a color as you step onto the porch especially once you decide on a door color. Keep it rich and tasteful. I am passionate about color, but.......... in the right places.

Ok, (deep sigh) I'm considering all of your suggestions...except for the bright blue. Maybe next house. Never mind, I forgot...there won't be a next house. Lol.

never say never

You're considering polka dots? Oh, I like you.

We have a much brighter blue than that on our front door, letterbox, trim, and we all survived! LOL. Polka dots might have originated as a guide on the floor when learning the polka, maybe?

Since this is the fifth house we've built, I'm pretty sure this is it. The others were a piece of cake but this one has been really challenging.

Polka dots? Nah, I'm thinking zebra stripes to replace the Camo Hardie.

well you have gotten so good at it by now they may be saving you a special spot in heaven or is that he dbl hockey sticks? lol

Lol. Hopefully.

Just curious, why was this house more of a challenge?

We're older and juggling different plates such as being secondary caretakers for both of our mothers, work and other things. We also moved to a new city (same state) after living in the last one for 30 years and honestly, we didn't have nearly as much to choose from before so we have discovered that the more options we had the tougher it was to make decisions without questioning every one.

I took these photos this evening. The doors have all been painted Bohemian Black and I like them a lot better than the red color. It's starting to come together now. I think we have just a few more weeks to go. Thanks for your suggestions, everyone!

tis a shame about that tardis door, maybe to a back porch? international portals sure would be nice. hope you truly enjoy your new home.

International portals? Not familiar with that.

House is looking great!

It looks really great, Audley. Smooth sailing to completion, now, I hope.