Just because in a minute someone will say it. Not Black. Thank you. A nice earth tone would look good with that house style. Our natural greens like sage grass or a gray green. Neat house.

Thank you Kathleen. Been here almost 40 years and it has always suited our needs. Because the porch is stained and will remain wood toned I was thinking to do the garage door in a similar colour paint to keep things balanced and then do the shutters a complimentary colour. Going to do the garage door with square windows across the top and black handles and hinges. Will do hinges on the shutters too. With the split rail fence I think I should keep it rustic.

Kathleen here, just finished my profile. I agree. It's not a house you want to go trendy on. Shades of earthy brown would look good with the black metal work. It would help it stand out and complement the porch color.

Choose a color from one of the bricks for the new garage door color. Paint shutters sage green.

I agree with deco enthusiaste.

First thing I saw was an amazing garage door and then the shutters. Can't imagine why you'd replace the unique wood. I'd advise painting the brick before switching out beautiful and unique wood that would cost $$$ for anyone wanting that look.

I would lighten it all up by painting the garage door or replacing the door with White dove color and the shutters. Then the porch would also benefit by being painted it would look so much brighter and newer

I would lighten it all up by painting the garage door or replacing the door with White dove color and the shutters. Then the porch would also benefit by being painted it would look so much brighter and newer

I have to say I'm against painting brick. Unless it is so deteriorated that it would benefit from it. Choosing a color from the brick sounds like a lovely idea, You could even do more than one or a lighter and darker shade of the same one. Painting brick means it always has to be painted, there is no removing it. It has to be repainted periodically, which entails having it prepped and cleaned first which can be expensive depending on how long between paint jobs and how it is painted. Besides all that, the brick is attractive , it is part of the style of the house.

puremichigan60. Thank you for the compliment. I could live with the natural cedar look forever but both the shutters and garage door have been up for over 20 years and have wood rot. They really have to be replaced so I thought I would try a new look. For others suggesting soft colours, while I admire the soft muted look on other homes, it does nothing for me on my home. I have tried different shades of cream, taupe and greens by hanging pieces of fabric over one of the shorter shutters. ( I'm sure the neighbours wonder about me). I have always admired window boxes but the two windows are in deep shade from a large maple in front of the house and it would be a challenge to get anything colourful to flourish through the summer. I am appreciating the comments and input but have a feeling I'll be having new shutters made and installing a new garage door but they will be in something similar to the cedar. The front porch is always loaded with plants come late spring so I might invest in some bright yellow or flaming orange ceramic pots and paint up the front door. The house looks so much better once the gardens green up and the planters are in place and blooming. Will post some pictures come late spring. Thanks one and all for your time and input.

Less drab pictures in the fall

You have a Sugar Maple and Sweet Autumn Clematis. Hope to see pics when you make your changes, unfortunate for the wood rotting. :(

I'm glad to read your sticking with the cedar. I suggest you do this project in two steps. First take care of the garage door. Then remove the shutters and leave them off about a week. During this time visit a good nursery you should find some bright shade loving plants. Talk to the employees at the nursery they should be able to make good suggestions about plants for your zone, shade, and flower box. After looking at your house without shutters and weighing the information about flower boxes then make up your mind. I would not put shutters on your large window, the proportions aren't right.

We recently moved to the south from Colo. I so miss my Maple tree. That's gorgeous. I hadn't thought of flower boxes but they could be really pretty on your ranch. Especially on the large picture window. The new pots are a great idea for infusing some bright colors without putting them directly onto the house. Don't worry about the neighbors , mine have all wondered I kind of enjoy it.

Some inspiration, like rare grey, sandy hook by Sw

Rare gray, love the window box

It's been 8 months since I asked for advice from other Houzzers and all your input was appreciated. Ended up keeping the shutters and the garage door which were sound enough to paint. Chose darker colours because that seemed to suit the brick. Dithered about putting the shutters back up ... but wanted somewhere to put my Christmas wreaths. Also painted the siding which I didn't show in the original post. It was a faded parchment yellow and I went with a nutmeg. Used the red across the back of the house for accent trim and on the front screen door. Stole the colour palette from a new coffee mug I had purchased. Never know where you will find inspiration. Overall am satisfied with my choices but have to say I loved the cedar for all the years we had it. Now on to the kitchen.