Like the home. Landscaping and border stones need to be updated and improved.

Thanks. I was wondering if the landscaping wouldn't make the difference as well. Good thoughts, thanks!

I don't care for that panel above the entry where the house number is, and I find it strange that only those windows flanking the entry lack shutters. Your house is actually a ranch style with a 2-story southern colonial appurtenance mating the two wings. Painting the brick won't change that, but matching all the color of the house (see below) may unify things a bit. I think what betrays the age of the home is the angle of the roofs on the two wings, along with the dormers which draw attention to the roof slope. If they're just windows in an attic space, I'd remove them next time you re-roof the house.

Decoenthusiaste, you mean matching the pillars to the house? What other pieces would I unify in color?

I'd rather the roof be different, unfortunately it was recently replaced just before I moved in, November 2015.

I was thinking you'd paint it all one color to take the eye to a unified home instead of one that looks pieced together and makes the eye wander around all the diverse parts. All white would be a classic, and I agree with whoever suggested removing shutters on the part under the portico. Paint the other shutters in a deep warm chocolate so they work with your roof color.

I like it from the way it looks in the picture. Sure, you could spend a lot of money to modernize it, but I think you could save the money or invest it and still have a beautiful home. Now, if there's something wrong and parts need to be replaced because they're falling apart, then I think the comments listed here are helpful.

The two story section in the front with the columns is playing at being Greek Revival. Look to that style for ideas. For instance, you could remove all the shutters and paint window trim and muntins black.

Transforming your landscape will do wonders & provide a cleaner more inviting look to that beautiful home. I suggest consulting with a landscape tech to discuss ideas. The home in general does not look outdated to me. A nice landscape will modernize it plenty, in my opinion.

This home has so many features, it's hard to look at it as a whole. I would paint the front door in a cream similar to the columns so that it stands out. All of the details above the front door are distracting. Eliminate the stone work at the border edge because it introduces a new pattern and color. Use simple metal borders (you only see the top one inch or so) instead.

I would plant two crabtrees, white flowering, no berries, with a vertical shape. I'd place each one equidistant between the outer two columns. They would be in a sentry position and give you beautiful spring flowers and color in the fall. They would also give height that relates to the columns, so that your eye does not see the columns as abrupt, because the trees would begin the vertical look. Hope that makes sense.

I would paint the dormers a darker color so they don't seem as visible. Also, the ceiling of the portico maybe should be painted a darker color so it would recess.

Puremichigan60, I really like the idea of the trees to break up the height of the columns.

I'm glad you get what I was trying to say. Yes, you need height in your front garden that relates visually to the height in the portico and columns. I've planted this vertical crab and will look up the cultivar for you. Most crabs are wide, which wouldn't do the job.

I think that your house is beautiful. I would add some greenery on the porch floor, and some blue or black urns at the door. Good luck!

Puremichigan, I'm in Dallas. I need to see what will grow well here.

Thanks, K sissy. I agree, I have some urns picked out, very large urns.

What zone are you in?

8

I found this thread again, thought I had lost it. Am new to Houzz, but I'm catching on. An upright crabapple is

MALUS ADIRONDACK
ADIRONDACK CRABAPPLE

Height: 15 Feet Tall
Spread: 12-16 Feet Wide
Color: white flower
Light: Full Sun

Crabs do best in zones 4-8. Pruning for shape, if you're comfortable doing it, will keep it neatly upright.