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I would paint the two front columns, banister rail, and upper siding a warmer tone, as they look too stark against the white trim. Like Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter HC-172 or Coventry Grey HC-169

Your house is really very charming. I agree with kgolby that more landscaping will do the trick. You don't have to raise the lawn, but more mature shrubery will do wonders. And you haven't lost the charm! Chrysteen

Your house has lots of character, I'm not sure you need the shutters but if you use them they are definitely the wrong size. They should be wide enough so that when closed over the window they should cover the glass portion,i.e. each should be 1/2 the total width of the window. They should be attached with hinges to the outside frames and held back with shutter dogs. A window box under the second floor windows on the left and a little lanscaping in the front, follow the flower bed lines of the diagram, and your house will be a stunner.

I agree with yvesun, and the shutters should also be the new trim colour. The black shutters don't actually seem to relate to anything.
Hope this helps.
Maria
www.mariakillam.com

Your home actually seems architecturally complete. It's quite charming, symmetrical, and texturally interesting as is. As stated above, I'd advise that you focus more on landscaping to frame the house. Japanese Maple trees where the bayview window would have been would add a bright and interesting focal point without obscuring the architectural details of the home. I'd go with some flowering bushes in various sizes much like the rendering. You really don't need to do much though.

Your house is PERFECT!!!

It seems the problem is the siding on your home it is horizontal at the top and bottom according to you’re rendering its vertical at the top- bottom horizontal. The siding on the lower level is a cedar shake different texture complimenting the stone work these elements work well with the rendering but not so much with the style of your current siding. Did you buy the house like this or your choice on siding?

I believe your house has quite a bit of character already (i.e. multiple roof lines, multiple colors/materials of siding, stately front door, covered front porch, rail with stone/wooden columns) and that is just from the one side of the house we can see. As far as shutters go, it's been quite a few years since I went to school and got my degree in architectural design, but as I recall one of the first design faux-pas preached to us was to never include non-functioning shutters on any window, maybe that has changed. I agree that giving some attention to landscape will help to blend the house into surroundings and add to the character you are desiring. Beautiful house.

Thank you for all the feedback and compliments!!!! We'll be off to the nursery shortly!