Thanks for the suggestions, Darzy! I was so focused on trying to think of a color to fix the shutters, I hadn't really considered simply removing them! The bushes are on the way out - I've already removed some of the worst ones under the picture window and have substantially trimmed the others. It isn't the best picture, but the siding is actually more of a pale grey and the masonry is a beige stacked stone. The storm door definitely has to go! The roof also needs to be replaced and we're contemplating changing it to metal.

Paint the shutters and front door black. You need sod, bushes and trees.

I would clean up the chimney, maybe you need to paint it if is going to keep doing that. Although actually, my chimney is actually for the dble boiler, and 2 fireplaces, and it does not have that problem. Maybe there is something else wrong there. Winter is coming you might wish to get it looked into.

i agree with ditch the shutters they are too small and not needed on a modern house. I never go with painting brick or masonry. No paint = no work. sooner or later people are not happy with it.

Ok, colors

So if your brick is shelburne buff or powell buff then you could do the rest of the house in whichever it is not in or in carob. Do the trim in french press. Then do the door in audobon russet. These SW paints. Slate blue or green would also be good on your door. Now all this is if you do not live in FL, if you do, come back and we will start over again.

The storm door must go. This is what I did, went to Lowe's:

$30 screen door

$30 insert- they have others too, but i like this with my mcm
for winter slide plexiglass in back of it, use clips to hold down.

paint this either a complementary color or the same color as your door.

i too would move those large plants. Now remember they would cost you a pretty penny. So if you would like a hedge or a corner grouping here is your chance. If you go darker as above, then I would go with a nice assortment of perennials next to the house. Brighter the color the better. i do not know your zone, but Cone Flower, Bachelor Buttons, Shastas, Peonies, lavender, smaller sages, daffodils, tulips, then put some trailing herbs along the edges. These will come back nicely year after year, and you will never have to worry about them getting too large.

you may wish a lighting fixture, make sure it is nice, don't do coach or black.

you do want something to decorate up there you might want to hang it next to the door instead of on it. You may wish to do the front of the steps in the trim color. Make sure the garage doors are in the same color as the house. oh, and it looks like the railing is old fashioned? I think i would change it out when you can.

Hope it helps, come back and show us!

Not a pro or landscaper here, but I don't know about sod for your lawn. It looks like your existing grass isn't doing well, and you are in a very shaded area. What about mulch? I do agree breaking up the front with small bushes or something will add a bit of character, rather than a flat plane like it is now.

Do that house just like Darzy inspiration pic and your neighbor's will be so envious

Darzy and brandi are onto something with the white house and i love painted brick but .. . i think that is expensive limestone stacked stone. Don't paint that .. and lets get the white right for the stone . it will look white but really be like a lighter stone shade . . then you can decide about shutters .. and I see a luscious mcm door with three vertical square lights waiting for a great color . . .

consider if we can find an offwhite / dark white in the same undertone as the stone . . .test something like bm winds breath http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/windsbreath

this will still look white on your house - it will just be a darker white tonally that ties a tad better into the stone. Since your windows are paintable (which today means high end windows) let's give them and the trim around the entry door, a deeper shade of the stone . . one of the deeper pale taupes in the stone . . test here bm smokey taupe . . this is going to be very subtle and delicate not a big high contrast thing http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/smokeytaupe

do take off the shutters around the picture window with flankers .. for the gable .. see if the fat trim in the contrasting shade isn't enough for you. You might add window boxes under those two under the gable.

Yes, get a new full light screen door to show off your real front door.

If it was my house, I'd consider eggplant at the front door. It is dark enough that on first glance no one would see how clever I was, - give contrast but my friends would love that it was personal and eggplant and taupe are great together. The most beautiful and sophisticated one is closer to caponata . .

bm caponata http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/caponata

the stone colors are to get you close - you want an off white not lower than 65 in LRV and the other trim colors down the same color chart if possible but more important to match your stone undertones exactly

caponata is just a suggestion - if you would prefer a more traditional entry door color, come back and I'll give you a raft of ideas . . congrats on your new home, i wish you much happiness there

Thank you all so much for your amazing advice. I'm loving the idea of keeping the siding light, removing the shutters, and painting the trim a darker shade to match the darker tones in the stone! I also think it could look really good with a metal roof.

The stone area under the picture window is actually built out to accommodate flowers. So, adding flower boxes under the gable windows might work well to balance things.

I wish those dark squares in the door were glass, but sadly they are just painted dark grey. It's definitely in need of a fresh coat of paint and new hardware (at minimum). I also really like the eggplant idea, libradesigneye! Thanks for the suggestion!

The front stoop is a pretty depressing sight. havingfun noted the "old-fashioned" railing, which was being quite kind. I was thinking about just removing it, but I'm open to suggestions for replacements. I'd also like suggestions on ideas for lighting the front entry.
As Jonathan Look mentioned, I don't think sod will really work and might not be necessary. There is a big maple tree in the front yard with some pretty shallow roots, but the grass seems to be coming back somewhat (I suspect previous owners didn't rake the leaves in the fall) and there are some pretty wild violets and moss there in the summer. I think I'll just spread some shade tolerant seed out there and see what happens.

I'm located in southwestern VA (zone 6). I was thinking about maybe adding a smaller, flowering tree between the two windows on the gable side - maybe a dogwood or a serviceberry? I definitely want to stick with perennials and preferably more native plants to reduce maintenance. Again, I'm open to suggestions!

That front door is great; I hope you don't change it. Put a clear glass screen door so people can admire the detail. Libradesigneye has nailed it. You won't find that door at Home Depot! I think eggplant would work perfectly with your stone (which I would not paint). Hostas, azaleas and a dogwood would look lovely.

if it is shaded for at least the afternoon, then a lot of the perennials i suggested will not work. One of my easiest gardens was as follows, Azaleas-1 color, hostas-in between, and then every spring i would tuck a flat of impatients in between the hostas, they last most of the year and bloom the whole time. Azaleas now come in various sizes, I have seen little tiny ones, up to ones that get to be about 4x4'. Astilbe can also be nice, but i have never worked with them. every fall gather up your maple leaves and throw them in the garden.

I would not throw the railing away, you might be able to sell it is is wrought iron i presume, and they do cost money. can you keep the external railing and ditch the bars? the external is pretty standard.

This is similar to what i do on my door, and there were several of those doors in my old neighborhood, you can get rather creative with those squares.

you could light the steps
You should check you may not need a rail, that would be more modern. If so, i would protect and then pack away for later, that was an add on for someone who needed, this way if you ever need, you don't have to pay again. just put it back.

If you keep the frame work you can put these in, there are many styles and many colors, amazon or Arcurio.

ok i think is actually the same stuff. But what i meant is punched or pressed metal, it looks the same, is often used over your radiator. We got an aluminum 12x24 for $13 on ebay, we are folding over a fixture, with a piece of flourescent plastic screen, ours has squares in it, because i hated all the lights you buy, unless you pay a lot.

otherwise this is a simple up or down light.

I'll definitely be keeping the front door. Hopefully a little sanding and some paint and new hardware and it'll be like new again. Thanks saratogaswizzlestick.

Love the door close up. It is almost better for this house than if it did have glass in it - more authentic to this era. Painted a glossy eggplant it is going to be amazeballs. Glad that hit the sweet spot for you.

Agree that a metal roof would be brilliant, and going bronze up top with this stone would be wowsa - and also allow you to change colors later if you so desire. A white roof pretty much limits your good house color options to light and lighter.