Congrats on your new home. It's very nice. The brick and white exterior is classic, but this gray-green will also work with both the brick and brown roof http://houzz.com/photos/5995452
When you paint, you should also update the garage door and lights. I'd wait until spring to landscape, but relocating the shrub by the front door before your house warming will make the entrance more welcoming.

A pathway like this leading up to the frontdor would definatly make the home more velcoming. Some spotlights along side by it and on the porch would brigten up the house.

I would maybe also find a new place for the house number, maybe hanging on the brick wall, paintet white or silver in an eye hight.

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If you Google craftsman exterior colours there are tons of pics in images. As for wanting a craftsman feel in the house , it is your house!!! Do what pleases you so you can really love and enjoy it! It is a nice home. I love colour and would pain t over the white right away! Some landscaping along the window wall will do wonders and I would put a large pot of colourful annuals in front of the brick area framing both sides of the garage.and I would dig up a nice sized irregularly shaped area in the lawn and plant a bunch of grenery and perennials to break up the expanse of grass. And a tree. Gotta have a tree! Remember to post after pix. It will be awesome!

See if you can remove the detail on the garage door windows...the curves etc don't complement the front of the house.

What do you think about removing the curved accent and making the windows have 4 lites? What about adding the faux handles and hinges?

Try just returning to four normal windows, should make a big improvement. I'm afraid that adding hinges and handles may look artificial, since the door doesn't have a vertical seam, although I do like the carriage door look....after you change the windows, see if you aren't happier.

Here's with the light off.

Not sure about suggestions but living in California it's nice to see that you have green grass... Here brown is the new green.... Congrats and best of luck!!!

Congratulations!nice house.lovely color brick.Lowes and Home Depot have bigger better chocolate brown Boulder lanterns either side of garage door,also paint garage door and shutters with deeper craftsman color to pull out brick color.

Quickest fixes would be to remove the inlays in your garage door or replace with a carriage door. Also, update your front door and side lights to more traditional craftsman style.

https://www.google.com/search?q=craftsman+style+front+door&client=firefox-a&hs=Ds1&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CFIQsARqFQoTCOCNy4fe-MYCFYN0Pgod7ZgGqw&biw=1017&bih=720

You could also modify the pillars on the front porch to make them more traditional craftsman.

https://www.google.com/search?q=craftsman+style+front+porch&client=firefox-a&hs=ObM&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCEQsARqFQoTCK241vfe-MYCFYpuPgodTDkE2Q&biw=1067&bih=678

A great path to the front door would be very inviting and change your focus away from garage.the landscape at the front is weak. a new design would also change the look.Loose the curved grids in the garage windows, these do not match the straight clean lines of the home

I would cut down the bush in front of the door, then paint the door red. If it still looks boring to you after that, you could paint the shutters either the grayish green or blue gray that goes with the style. I love the white trim with the brick and would keep that.

Your home is lovely.
But it doesn't read craftsman .
You can t change the design of your home just by adding craftsman touches.
The design of your home reads more contemporary.
With it's cleaner lines and lower pitch roof.
To try and make a home look like something that's it not Will read I'm a contemporary home with craftsman touches.
You would be better off staying true to what the design is,

I will add that by staying more true to the design of the more contemporary home,
I would change the garage door to look more contemporary.
Take off the shutters .
Keep everything you add clean -

We just replaced a similar garage door with a solid, wood grain fiberglass door and the difference was amazing. Since the garage door is large and such a huge factor in the curb appeal of a house, I'd start with getting rid of the white door and look at lighter wood grain or a bright color.

I would suggest paint. Inside and out. The inside would benefit from color. Paint bathroom cabinets, walls, even go so far as painting the kitchen cabinets. The inside just needs color. Lay out is good unless you are not happy with it. If you are, then knock out a wall or two. Make this house your own. The outside just needs some paint also on the garage door, shutters and front door. Some nice landscaping would help also. Don't be afraid to step out of the box with color. Beautiful home and your touches will make it your own. Check out pinterest.com to get ideas on decorating. YOU CAN LOOK UP ANYTHING ON THERE!

Although I agree your home is not craftsman style, but I think you can incorporate some craftsman elements into your home. Consider "beefing" up the columns with larger bases and tops, removing your shutters, and adding wood framing around the windows. Install wood railing across the front. Replace the front door with a craftsman style door with small sectioned windows and sidelights. Paint a coordinating accent color. Remove the curved panels from the garage door and add the faux hardware, and paint it a dark wood tone. Then paint all the wood trim an appropriate color (I love W Browns photos) Including the front window mullions if possible. Change the front and coach lighting to larger craftsman style, get new, larger, hammered iron black house numbers and move them to the brick area. Of course you will want to upgrade the landscape, adding a walkway to the front instead of using the driveway will be a huge improvement. Consider incorporating some plantings which speak to the period, rather than just tropicals, to add a feel of history. Thanks for the opportunity to dream about your project, and congratulations on your new home, please keep us all posted on your design decisions and progress.

A few small items will help it read as a bit more craftsman style. Remove the grills from the bottom half of the windows, change the shutters to plank style, hand built wood would be nice but you can order vinyl plank shutters online easily and at a reasonable cost-just make sure they are half the width of the window.

The next item is a bit more expensive, changing what appear to round metal columns to brick piers and tapered columns above. You'll need a mason to lay the brick piers and the columns are available prebuilt through many online sources-HB&G comes to mind. Just make certain to maintain at least a metal strap connection from the foundation to the porch brest to prevent problems with wind uplift.

The balance of the ideas above are great, paint colors, house numbers and new walk and landscaping will all improve the look.

Best wishes as you move forward, take it slow and please post some pictures as you update.

Landscaping along the walkway and in front of the porch will make a huge difference to make your home welcoming, not to mention easier to maintain in CA. In addition to the landscaping, I would remove those garage door window inserts, paint your font door a color you like, and replace the garage door lights with something more substantial and updated. Easy fixes for a minimal investment.

Hi my name is juan Hispanic I work in construction I remodeling hause s 4 investment company, I have good experience in modern hauses

What style interior door would go with French doors

There is really no correlation between the interior and the exterior doors IMO because the stile width around the French doors is going to be similar to any other door you select. It is a uniform width because you need that much beef for door latches and handles. Uniform width ties them visually together and a matching finish will complete the look.

Spend the money on a GREAT landscape design to add privacy. A designer will save you money over the long haul. List all the things you would like in your garden and plan for it even if you can't do it all at once. your front garden could become a huge private space.

Removing garage window inserts looks much better!!!

I think an elegant wood (or wood look) garage and front door would be lovely. You could also dress up the front with prettier columns or posts and shutters. However, if you do nothing, it's still a nice looking house.

Your home has potential. Exterior shutters need to be darker for contrast; I like for shutters to match the roof. Front columns could also be larger. Maybe place a urn beside the front door with some kind of planting. Also landscaping needs to be added. Money permitting I would add some detail to garage doors to enhance the appearance-----to give it a craftsman look. Good luck on your endeavor.

I think a new garage door would add a lot more interest. there are a lot of nice ones with a lot of style vs. the cookie cutter one currently on the house.

If we were to paint the exterior, what parts should be painted? There is the beam over the garage door, front door trim, front porch columns, front porch beam, fascia, soffit, and shutters.

I believe the columns are wrapped 4x4 posts. The wrapping doesn't look that bad in person so for now I might just increase the size of the ends wraps. I would eventually like to change the columns to be brick on bottom and tapered wood top, but since I probably won't be able to get matching brick I might just use stone.

Me and my wife found a color palette from Sherwin Williams that we like. It's called American Heritage. We really like these types of colors, so they will soon be incorporated into the house. In these colors there is a green called Svelte Sage and we're thinking about using something like this on the kitchen cabinets.

When painting the front door, does the door need to be the same color as the trim?

With the front walkway, should I remove the existing sidewalk and put the large pavers as shown above, or leave the sidewalk?

I've never seen both window shutters AND exterior wood trim. Also, I've never seen wood window trim with a brick veneer; I've only seen it with lap siding. I'm thinking I might go with board and batten shutters with no trim. I'll do craftsman trim around doors and windows on the inside. A new garage door isn't in the budget, so for now we'll just remove the lite inserts. I am going to replace the front door and sidelights because the door is all dinged up and was not installed properly.

Here is a summary of the suggestions

• New Garage door - Not in budget
• Update Exterior wall sconces - Will do
• Update front walkway - See question above
• Spotlights by walkway - Maybe
• New house numbers and location - Will do
• Update Landscaping - In progress, mainly working on the lawn. It hasn't been taken care of in about 2 months. Needs some overseeding, fertilizer, TLC, etc...
• Remove garage door window inserts - In progress
• Paint garage door and window shutters - Will do shutters, maybe garage door
• New window shutters - Will do
• Remove bush by front door - Will do
• Don't use craftsman touches, use contemporary - Nope
• Wood railing on front porch - Maybe
• Wood framing around windows - How will it look???
• Craftsman style front door - Will see what Lowes has to offer
• Add faux garage door hardware - Someone said no, someone said yes. I'm so confused!

Here's are some other things on our todo list:

1. Replace door between laundry room and garage

2. Replace back door

3. Replace front door, paint front door

4. Paint walls & cabinets, new cabinet knobs

5. New flooring inside

6. New trim inside

7. New door knobs and hardware

The doors have to be first because they were not installed properly (The door leading to the garage has a 1" gap between the threshold and bottom of the door, the back door has a 3/4" gap on the left side of the door. I'm guessing the builder didn't know how to properly install a jam. Tons of air loss. Things get pretty toasty here in florida). I'll probably sprinkle in the exterior and interior todo's as we progress.

Paint garage door and trim maybe the gray-green that one of the first replies showed. The stark white garage door is the first thing the eye goes to but a softer hue will subside it. You don't need a new garage door. Then landscaping in front of the porch and down the side of the driveway--maybe boxwoods or monkey grass-- look at landscaping photos for inspiration. It will have much curb appeal then.

I would paint the garage door and front door first and leave every thing else trimmed in the white. I would take the shutters off they just don't seem to go with the style of the house. I think adding hardware to your garage door would look great a little eye candy that doesn't cost much to do. I am wondering why you are removing the window inserts in the garage door. Your garage will become very dark and closed in. Speaking from experience. We had a garage door with windows and loved it, now we don'(different house) I want windows again. I think you have a lovely house, have fun with it. It is a lot of fun going through the process and you will be so proud of it once it is done. Good luck!

Replacing the doors could be a security issue as well as an energy and design issue; definitely put replacing them first. Check on that pipe that extends above the roof on the left; is it tilted to the left or is that just the angle of the pic making it look that way.

Glad you're getting rid of the clutter in the garage windows. Don't add faux anything. Like the existing shutters so if they're in good shape, you should keep them; you could always change your mind later.

The white trim works well with this style home so if the paint looks good close up, repainting needn't be a priority; however, if you do decide to paint the trim another color, see what different shades of that color are available that you like and what colors coordinate with it before you start painting anything inside or out.

Consider removing all three plants from the front yard and replanting them elsewhere, with the two alike together, and add a shade tree -- always inviting -- but know where any buried wires, pipes, etc. are before you start digging at all or else you could end up with unnecessary repair expense. Also, know about any watering restrictions before you plant anything.

As budget permits you might consider an arbor to the left of the garage as far over as at least the first post or, better yet, to a point halfway between the front door and the closest front window; this would "cover" / shade the walkway to the front door a bit and you could add some hanging plants and wind chimes.

To the left the sidewalk -- or arbor, if you add one -- a row of low shrubs planted all the way to the left end of the house could help make the front and entry more inviting and direct traffic to the door without the expense or clutter of a rail or wall. If you want a more defined space, a raised flower bed for the shrubs or other plantings could do that.

With or without the arbor, you could outline the walk and driveway with brick or paving stone as an update -- especially if you're building a raised flower bed and/or patio elsewhere and you can use the same pavers or match the brick on the existing home. If you're using the idea of the arbor to a point halfway between the front door and the first window, you could use the bricks or pavers to enlarge the walk enough for a bench or planters or other decorative touches as well.

Need a beautiful color for front door. Maybe a cool color for a rocking chair or two. I just did my front door beautiful Aruba Blue. Make it inviting to neighbors and you. I like the idea of planters to add dimension. Have fun. Our house is light fawn, sorry picture little dark.

Make sure you know where your septic tank and drain field are if you have them. Don't dig there or allow heavy trucks.
Seeded grass is not suited for Florida. Especially hard to keep any lawn going during these dog days without irrigation. Right now we are getting lots of rain....Most new lawns are sodded and is an investment. If you can have a shallow well dug for irrigation I would do that as city water will be $$$$$.
Your lawn looks like mostly weeds on my monitor and I want to suggest two things. Hire a lawn person for a couple of months at least and ask for suggestions as well as mowing and edging. Make friends with your local garden store staff and ask ???. Buy a few plants as a thank you.
Good luck with your many projects. PS....when in the future you do decide on a new garage door, if your door faces west, get it insulated. I didn't and regret it every summer.

Thanks. I mainly need help with decoration aspects of the house.

With your hip style roof you can go craftsman and what you want to do with the porch supports is the way to go! Dream big and think of the final finished design even if you can't afford it now and do it in stages. I tried to find ranch styles that could give inspiration. Adding eye brow windows or dog house bump outs would help down the road. I would remove the shutters, most houses I saw in craftsman searches did not have them. Enjoy!

Gretchen those pictures you showed him are great craftsman homes.
But don't have his roof lines.
When you buy a home the roof line and style of that home dictates to you which way to go in design.
That is not a craftsman homecoming.why not just stay true to the style of home you bought,
That will give it the best look and be the most cost effective,
Cause you are being true to the home and not trying to make it something it is not .

John, your home is very nice, you have received excellent advice on how to make changes that would give the home different appearances. It all comes down to what your budget is and how committed you are to taking that leap of faith and jumping in. We have done just about every kind of transformation possible to residences and commercial properties over the years.

One possibility that would absolutely change the flavor of your home but would be a no turning commitment would be to plaster over the brick and install a thin veneer LEDGESTONE on the lower 1/3 of the wall, install a tapered cast stone ledge and a textured stucco finish on the upper 2/3 of the brick wall. I would change the columns to have a stone base and a larger square column up to the beam.

There is plenty of advice on how to incorporate color and trim elements to further achieve the craftman look. It would take a firm commitment to make these changes and it may benefit you to seek the services of a architectural illustrator to prepare some sketches to confirm your desire that this look is what you want.

Good luck with your project and I believe your home is very attractive and has great potential to be whatever you wish.

Can we see the progress?