My first impression is that the shrubbery is overgrown and hiding your house. Then there are way too many colors all over the house - no continuity. My eye keeps going to the two dormers on the roof. Grey roof, grey or slighly blue? dormers, beige chimney, white trim, red brick and brown door. I think if the roof stays you should go into the greys for house color - something in the same tone as the chimney. Then use the black for shutters and trim.

Thanks! Hard to see how to use grey for the house color. Can you elaborate on colors for the garage, shutters, etc. We aren't going to paint the brick or the stone, at least for now. My thought was to get black carriage lights for the hanging lantern light over the entry door and for the post lamp, swap the beige shutters for black, paint the garage black, and have all of the trim be white. Paint the fiberglass door fire engine red and have the house be a more classic/federal style look. We live in a historic neighborhood with lost of older colonial type properties, so it would fit in. But now that you mentioned it I definitely see your point about the shrubbery being overgrown. So just decoratively trim the boxwood and other hedges in the front? The problem with this house is it's not just a classic red brick house. It also has this like "Aspen, Colorado" stone front that makes it a little more tricky. But given where we live I would love a federal style looking home it this house would look good in those colors I mentioned above.

I think it's the stone front that is thowing me off. I thought you were painting the brick, so hence my grey suggestion, but I think if you leave the brick (and I think it's great either way) and paint the shutters black it'll look great. The black carriage lights will look good especially against the red door. I'm still thinking the dormers need a different color - tone them down a bit by picking a color that matches the stone and then also use that color for the garage door. This would balance the house. If you use black on the garage it might be too much. It's a large area with such a strong color.

The shrubs could be trimmed down. If the bigger ones are old I would pull them out, especially the big one hiding the front door. It's not going to look great trimming it back that far. I really like the low growing hostas type plants in the front. They seem to do so well there so I'd be inclined to add more.

This is helpful. So make the shutters black and maybe paint the dormers the same beige color as the garage? If we keep our door (my husband isn't thrilled about making it red) which is a new mahogany fiberglass door, make the shutters black and paint the dormers beige then we violate the three-color rule. We'd have black, white, beige, and then wood (brown) for the front door. Isn't that too many colors? Do you think it would look bad with wood door, white trim, and black shutters and black garage? I totally see about the bushes in the front. We can replace those. We could paint the door red, but would it really be worth it? I feel like this house has a lot of outside potential. We just need to get the colors right.

One other thought would be to get rid of the white trim all together and keep the beige garage as is and the wood door as is and put up the black shutters but have the house trim and dormers and garage be beige. That includes around the main entry way. Basically all the white would be beige. What do you think?

Here is the front entry.

We will eventually replace the roof to a darker color, but for now we are going to live with it. But I get what you are saying. What about black shutters and black garage with either all white trim or all beige trim? This includes painting the dormers the trim color too.

I agree with mrskain1...the brick and stone are throwing me off, too. I'm not one who normally encourages painting brick, but in this case it might be a better look. I'm thinking painting the brick a color from the stone for a better flow. It's really a great house...just needs a little toning down with textures and color. Love the suggestion of black shutters and carriage lights.

Also agree with Doug Walter...a darker roof would be perfect...medium to dark gray.

You can trim the yews way back in the spring. This is 3 months growth. If Hosta grows well, Astilbe & Heuchera would be a nice addition for color

Take down the shutters & paint them black or charcoal and put them back up. It's cheap & easy and then you'll know if you want to continue. You have your federal house vision and its only paint. We can work on hubby and the door color! :-)

Thanks everyone! Ok. So first things first I'm going to change the color of the shutters to black and remove the overgrown shrubs in the front, mulch it and plant something smaller, but decorative. I'm also going to install black carriage lights to give it more of the Federal style. What about the color of the garage door and entry door? Do I leave the entry door as is? It's a brown mahogany-style door that's fiberglass, so painting it would be an option. And last thing is what color should the trim be? White throughout? Or beige like the garage door?

mrskain1 What color do you think the door should be? And the garage and trim?

I like the white trim. Gives it some contrast. I would paint the garage door a beige color but less bright than the shade you have on the shutters. Pick a shade from the stone.

oops. And go red on the door. I think it'll look great and it sounds like what you really want. I'd certainly try it.

Thanks mrskain1. If I can't win the red door, can I leave the brown wood fiberglass door alone? And would the garage look bad painted black? If I paint garage light beige then I have four colors in the house: brown door, white trim, black shutters, beige garage. Isn't that too busy?

I like the shrubs in front of the stone section.

Think hard before removing them.

The ones in front of the brick section look a bit jumbly and maybe some boxwoods would suit.

The garage door is kind of photo bombing the front section.

Have you thought of painting it so that it blends with the brick?

If the shutters were painted one of the darker colors from the roof they would show up more against the light stone and tie in the roof.

If you change out the roof, you can change the shutter color.

We had an unfortunate roof, but last year we were blessed with a storm that enabled us to replace it with the help of insurance. I really enjoy looking at my new roof. :)

I like the maize color you chose for the shutters and garage door. Maybe use that same color on the two dormers. I must agree that it's the too light roof color that marrs the overall look; needs a medium- medium dark gray/brown. Landscape-- for now, I'd remove the two cone-shaped bushes and maybe find another spot for them. Please don't ever consider painting your brick or, heaven forbid, your beautifully crafted stone. You have a gem of a house !

Joyba, I like your thought for painting the trim, dormers, and garage door all beige. But I would do this only if the windows are paintable (not vinyl or aluminum). I might even pick a slightly different beige (pick a color to match the stone, but either go one shade lighter or darker. Shutters could then be black or a dark brown similar to the door. I would change out the light over the front door to a colonial style lantern as you suggested.

As others have said, once you have replacing the roof shingles in your budget, going with a darker color will make a world of difference in tying the house together.

If you paint the garage door black it will be the star of the show. By painting it out in a color similar to the stone wall you'll balance out the house visually. Bring the focus to the house by painting the shutters black. Use the same garage door color on the dormers with the white trim. The stone and stone color is the neutral. Once your husband sees how great it looks he'll maybe cave on the door color. ;-)

Great house. I love the stone and brick. Like many others have suggested, the roof is far too light. But perhaps in the meantime, painting the shutters black (or even a black green, very popular in my area) and changing the lights will help with balance. As for the garage door, maybe trying to finish it in the same color as your new door would tie it in as well as make it less noticeable. I feel because the garage door is light in color, it stands out more. I love the shrubs around the stone. Around the porch area, something shorter or low growing would open up the area. It will be a classic beauty. Congratulations!

Paint the garage white and add black hinges and handles (decorative). I would do bluish grey shutters. I would paint the front door yellow. I would do lighting carriage style in black.

White wash the stone & leave the brick. Remove the sets of shutters on the brick side. Paint the rest of the shutters, front door, & garage door a shade of red that compliments the brick (more on the rust side than a vibrant bright red). The shrubs also should all be trimmed down. These are pretty easy fixes, you will be left with a great first impression :)

Thanks Christy and Melinda. Great suggestions. Christy, the entry door is fiberglass and it looks like a dark grained wood. How would I paint the garage door the same color without just painting it brown? Which I think would look bad. Too many colors competing. What about black. And then painting tall the trim a bright white to help contrast. There is trim around the door which is white and a thick trim above the garage door which is currently painted beige, but can be changed to white.

Shrubs are hiding the house. I would have it all removed and let a professional landscaper do what needs to be done to enhance the house. The roof needs to be another color and the shutters and garage door need to be a different color - just an opinion. Good luck.

bjshep thanks! What colors do you recommend for the shutters and garage door? Black? Why or why not?

I would paint the shutters and the garage door a mid grey, to try and tie in with the roof and paint the drain sprout and post, leaving the trim around door white. Once you replace the roof, I would head towards a dark charcoal instead. You could do a light grey or mocha front door and once roof is changed, you then could revisit. You should work with what you have and compliment. By the way, your home is really nice. Adding black coach light would be a good idea and as mentioned above, landscaping will make a big difference.

Thanks Maureen. A couple of people suggested black shutters and black garage. What do you think?

I do personally prefer the idea of black garage doors for this over the current color. It may be impossible to stain the doors or paint a wood tone without it just looking "brown".

The shutters definitely need a coat of paint to make them stand out but I think I would stay away from black as your window screen make your windows look dark and dark shutters would just create a big black hole in the front of your house. Either add faux muntons for the look of paned windows which will break up the darkness and allow black shutters or paint them a contrasting red or rust that will work with the colors in the brick or even a rich shade of gray that will work with the roof and rock front. (see this on Houzz)

<div><a href='https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-traditional-exterior-charlotte-phvw-vp~2177666'><img src='http://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/6961b33000c2672e_3-3029/traditional-exterior.jpg' border=0 width='320' height='214' /></a></div><div style='color:#444;'><small><a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107' >Traditional Exterior</a> by <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='http://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractor/c/Charlotte--NC' >Charlotte General Contractors</a> <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='http://www.houzz.com/pro/andrewroby/andrew-roby-general-contractors' >Andrew Roby General Contractors</a></small></div>

I would trim the bushes down below the window line especially the large one blocking the view of the front door and porch. Better for security as well. Definitely make your lamp post and porch light larger and more impressive and you might want to consider planter boxes underneath the upstairs windows for some seasonal color. Add larger house numbers in a dark color (black) that can be seen from the street and keep the front porch uncluttered but inviting with a nice doormat and perhaps a small bench (if room allows--hard to see in the photo) or just a pot of colorful flowers.

Darling house...have fun!

DH Design. I love the idea of a planter box on the top dormers. But wouldn't the house look silly with the boxes just at the top. Should I put planter boxes all all the windows top and bottom? And what color should the planter boxes be?

I disagree about window boxes on the dormers, slanted roof. Yes they would look silly

Start with the bushes and move on from there hire a landscape architect and than a designer

What a cute house! I love your idea of black shutters and white trim. I think you should definitely paint the garage door black, which I think will eliminate the need to change the color of the dormers and it will really modernize things. Carriage lights are perfect. The large shrubs would probably be best removed, but I think you could get away with trimming them down (the one eating the sidewalk for sure). I also think replacing the mismatched foliage on the brick side with repeating cone shaped shrubs would simplify the situation a bit. Maybe larger planters/urns on the front porch with mixed flowers for a bit of color. The only thing I'm not sold on is the red front door becuase of the red brick, but like someone else said, something less fire engine would look best. Have you considered a darker blue or even a persimmon? I think once you get the garage and shutters painted black the roof won't be as much of an issue anymore. Overall it sounds like you're on the right track!

Until you get a darker roof, I would stay away from black shutters and garage door. Your roof is too light and with the brick and stone, none of which have dark colors, I think the black will just add another extra color that stands out but doesn't blend. You can take a digital picture of your home and bring to a paint store that has a program in which you can test the colors on screen, which may really help you to decide.

I agree with Maureen - stay away from black until the roof is addressed. It is too light for black shutters. Here is a good example of a home with some continuity: http://thealvaradogroup.com/2015/03/25/open-house-sunday-march-29th-1-3pm-4130-n-sunset-ct-madison-wi/