Like the idea of gray on the house that should bring out the gray bricks. If you don't need a new roof do that last, but gray slate would be beautiful. I would paint the shutters a dark gray. I like your wrought iron, keep it and consider black lanterns to match. Your trim looks beige in the large picture and gray in the small picture, paint the trim a lighter gray than the shutters.

Great to see functioning shutters on a home. If you don't have a green thumb or a gardener, I'd ditch the window boxes and planters. I too think the railing above the entry is overkill and out of step with the more rustic shutters. I think it would work if your home was more like this one, but removal of the shutters is required to achieve this look and the railing could stay. I think slate (or architectural roof to look like slate) would work for any direction you take.

No shutters - a more classic look - try this first and see how it looks before attacking the bricks

Classic North Shore Residences · More Info

Stucco the brick, paint trim creamy white, shutters French blue

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Whitewash brick, paint shutters powder blue

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You have a gorgeous home! I love the colors!! The only thing that jumps out at me...in a very big way...is the portico! Was that original to the design of the house? Is it stone? Maybe it needs to be a different color? I am anxious to hear what the pros suggest.

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I hate to set you up for more work, but your original dilemma was the brick. Recently on "Fixer Upper" (HGTV) Chip Gaines did what is called a German mortar smear (German Schmear) technique and it would be fabulous on your home. Here's the before and after. Looks like they used light stained cedar shutters on it too. You might lighten your shutters and just retain all the arched ones on garage and first floor. Love the roof. Looks very French! Lightening the brick with this technique and bleaching the shutters could achieve a very French look.

French Normandy Beverly Hills · More Info

Thank you for the progress photograph. I like the new darker roof. I also like the suggestion of shutters matching the stone.