I think it can't hurt to try. I think they will look better if they are smaller.

Another thought why not cut them in half. Often times shutters were made to fold back doubled up to on side and by doing a 1/2 shutter would appear so. I wouldn't think there's a need to really stack and have folding hinges and make them functional. Because most shutters are not really functional. But for decoration anyway.

Go with narrower shutters. Love the red door. I suggest something big and white on the wall above the bench.

I am concerned that a 1/2 sized shutter will look as though the other half should be connected to the other side of the window....

Well just go with the one board less then. I think the smaller you go then some of the brick will show up better between the windows. Where before it didn't much.

Narrow shutters will be just fine. They are for decorative purposes only.

I'm not sure but it seems like these would show the white center window frames if they were closed. Especially on Case Design house

LB don't you feel that even though they are on just one side of the two small windows that visually it will look fine if the were half the size than the previous as show above in the comments. SG is concerned.

Often times you even see picture windows that are 6 feet wide with single shutters on the windows.

I feel when they were larger they came across looking more like boards at the street view. In this case you have to please the majority to sell a home. People in general haven't seen the larger one sided shutters much before so there fore they thought they didn't look right.

I agree Kevin as we usually do, 1/2 size will be fine. It's just a nice visual that adds some details to the front.

What the current status on your house?

bndjamesgang - we pulled it from the market, just about 3 weeks shy of the end of our 9 month contract w/ our realtor (who lives across the street). Interestingly, the day after we pulled it, we received 3 calls from other local realtors interested in listing it. Of course, none said they had prospective buyers interested in the place, they just want the listing. One realtor we met several years ago when we were considering selling a rental property. She actually encouraged us NOT to sell, and keep it for income. I always respected her for that advice. She currently specializes in homes that have been sitting on the market for a while. I wouldn't mind listing with her, but my husband is ready for a break from this. We have started to bring *crap* back from the storage unit we rented while house was listed. (NEED to have a giant yard sale!) Our original contract w/ our realtor neighbor expired last night, so we are now free to list w/ whomever we choose, if we choose to do so. I have contacted a landscape designer, who is putting a plan together for front yard curb appeal. It looks as though we will be removing the front walk, curving it (as someone here suggested!) and adding steps from the driveway to access it. Also, I believe she will suggest the front walk enter the porch from the front, not the side. I'm anxious to see her plan. I expect it will be ready next week.

Thanks for the update. Your home is beautiful. I think I can speak for quite a few of us following your story, we'd love to see your continued exterior improvements. You're where you're meant to be for a reason unknown right now. Enjoy your summer with your family and maybe revisit the selling idea at a later date.

Sometimes in life we just have to believe that things happen for a reason. Maybe you should try a FSBO save the commissions and reduce the price a bit. It's worth a shot Both you and the buyer save $ then. All you would need is a atty to draw up the papers. Best wishes to you. I know it has been a long journey. Hang in there !

Paint the garage door so that it doesn't scream single car. Add new mulch flowers and more shrubs. Perennials are what people love cause its less maintenance but make sure to balance with shrubs and evergreens. You don't want a completely barren scape in winter. I would also lighten shingle in from of garage (paint white ?)

I'd also remove porch rails to open space and let the front door be scene.

@roomi those of us living in Australia know that gum trees are notorious at splitting & dropping branches unexpectedly. Very different to what we call European trees.

Hi, I know from reading ALL of the posts on this that you've temporarily taken your home off of the market. Just wanted to say that I think the red front door is much better than the coral door, and that with the pinky tones of your brick (which I really like, by the way) I really, really, REALLY think you should re-paint the shutters (and put the two smaller shutters back up, but SMALLER) in a moss green, as an earlier commenter had recommended. Moss green would look MUCH better on your house than that deep brown, and if you have a tall ladder or know someone handy who would paint it for money, I'd re-paint the gable over your garage moss green, as well.

Going to go look for the thread that talks about the interior now; you've made me really curious about what the interior of the house looks like. And ignore the people who posted ridiculously mean and unhelpful comments like "it looks like a boring house and we are boring people" -- yikes. The house is really lovely, and yes, a few things need to be fixed in order to make sure the house says, "I am well-loved and well-kept-up by my people" to strangers, but really, it is a lovely house and I'm sure someone will appreciate its good bones and will buy it. Sorry the process is taking so long!!!

hparks, you need to read the whole thread, lol.

Oh, I like the red-brown shutters, too. But consider a mossy-olive green, too! (I'd do the peak above the garage in the olive green too -- or maybe a pinky-brown color to match the brick.)

sgausman, I just read more and see that you're taking the house off the market and planning to stay in it for a while. In that case, don't paint anything unless you don't like the color yourself!

I like the laundry room --> bathroom plan from your other post. Good luck with the remodeling!

If you have decided to take your home off the market there are advantages. You know your neighbors well. You have a beautiful home and even learned how to make it better. No moving cost and believe me there are so many other cost you will save that once when you only move, that you can understand and know. Best wishes to you !

Nice job LB Interiors! Great suggestions!

I like that look to LB That's what I love about decor making it your own or finding the ideas to make it your own . Following good design principles and knowing when you can break the rules LOL

Thanks 'Bevballew! and 'Kevin' Others had also mentioned a front entry to the door. Not my original idea.

Your welcome! My pleasure!

wow! Hobbs and Pelletier and so many other well known designers answering your call for help!! Lucky lady - including the non-professional suggestions, coming from people who obviously know their stuff. It's given you a lot to chew on - no wonder you've removed it from the market for a while..best luck! :)

I'm now just excited to move forward. I'll post updates for those of you interested. I know I'm following several other dilemmas here, and love the updates. I am certain we will change the front walk. Will need to decide on materials for that - pavers, concrete w/ brick edge, etc...? I have this "thing" for pea gravel and wouldn't mind including it somehow, if possible. Not sure that's smart for the front walk, though, as we do get snow here.

I am so glad that you will keep us updated! :-) It will be exciting to see what your landscape designer has for you. I think your home looks very welcoming. You have made many, many changes. Enjoy your home.

Update and request: we are working with a landscape designer, and are planning to update the front walk . It will come off the front of the porch and gently curve to the sidewalk. We will use pavers. I'd love input regarding color. It is likely we will use Belgard products, for those familiar with them. Thanks in advance. :-).

Good luck! Nice home. Should sell soon!!!

I agree with juniperjo. Moss green. I think that the pinkish brick would look lovely with a moss green. That is, if you are still doing stuff (painting)to the outside, even tho it's off the market. Looking forward to seeing how your new sidewalk looks.

I like moss green for shutters. Right now looking for advice regarding paver color. I'm thinking gray, but seem unable to make any decision on my own.....fear of making a poor choice...argh.

I would try to match the present sidewalks and drive closely. Power wash the old concrete surfaces 1st if you haven't already to have a good match. If not a good match go very dark as possible so it looks intentional matching the peak above the garage maybe. Good contrast. My best choice would be depending on the pavers even a brick pattern if availble in a mix of colors I think would be the very best to blend with your brick on the house and the walks and drive ,etc you already have. Has the landscape designer given advise ? They should, Check thier creditails and references even more so. Get some addresses to drive by and see thier work. Talk with those clients too. Take pics Then go back to the designer with a photo (use your cell phone) of what you like exactly. Refer to the pic taken in the contract. And all in writing in advance. I would also sugest only pay for materials 1st upon delivery with bill for each item normally they are paid in full only upon completion. Max 50% down 50% complete. Any more than that is not normal. These days you can never be to careful of whom you hire. Best wishes to you. I would love to see a post pic when it's done.

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate your advice. We have checked out other projects designed by her. She designs, then has offered several suggestions for contractors, with whom she often works and can vouch for their work. A neighbor has used her and one of the recommended contractors. We've already checked out this work. Several other people I know have recommended the designer (most recently a coworker, who knows her well, and didn't realize we had started working with her.) That said, I'm very comfortable with the designer, but need to investigate the contractors a bit more. (Thanks for the reminder regarding payment schedule. We haven't used a contractor in quite some time, as my husband is a handy perfectionist and prefers to do the work himself, so it meets his high standards.)

She suggested we paint the shakes under the peak (above garage) a tan, to match the mortar between the bricks. She also suggested we consider a color similar to the mortar for the pavers, which would coordinate w/ the sidewalk. Originally, I thought a nice gray would look nice, to compliment the brick color. Now I'm just confused. Driveway is macadam.

Oh, and we also know a new roof is in our not-too-distant future and will be considering colors for that.

I agree withe the designer on the mortar color to tie in with the house. Your colors are in the brown spectrum at the moment and grey would not tie in as well as you can see by the concrete walkway. Are you panning on staying in your house indefinitely? You mentioned replacing the roof as well. Be carful of over investing if you are planning to sell.

As far as color for pavers, I'm not fond of matching cement or using gray colors. I think they are too dull and will get lost in the grassy surrounding areas. Not enough contrast to the landscape. I think they should be a light warm contrast to go with the brick colors. Beige, creamy warm coral colors. Colors in the brick. It will look like it was in the original plan of the home. I would highlight it. It will visually extend the depth perception of the overall view of the property.

Some grouped plantings in front would be so much more welcoming.
dottie house

I need some closure. Dd you ever sell the house?

We never sold. Pulled it off the market after 9 long months of keeping it spotless and very few showings. Put in a new front walk this past fall - I will post pics- and are trying to decide whether to relist in the spring.

HI -- So sorry -- I thought it would have sold -- I didn't see much wrong with it --- maybe the market in your area is still struggling . Maybe wait for a year and do some more fixes if needed . Did you get any feed back from people that looked as to what turned them away . . It will sell someday -it just takes the right person to come along . Good Luck !

I'm sorry too :( Loved what you did on the inside. Markets are increasing. Some slower than others. What did your realtor suggest? What were the buyer's comments about your home?

I am so sorry. I really like your house. I am sure there is someone who will love it. Just need the right timing.

I never knew if the big tree was dying or just bare from the winter ( normal) When you get ready to re-list do not take any photos until all of your improvements are made. You have a ton of great ideas here- too many to read now. maybe you should try another agent.

It took my neighbor and entire year to sell and she only dropped her house about 10-15K overall. But finally found a buyer.

I hope you can enjoy your beautiful house while contemplating what to do next. (Aren't these houzzers amazing with all their wonderful suggestions?) Best wishes to you!

@kaye1951 - YES - I reread the comments and am so impressed with the fantastic advice. These houzzers are so generous and give great advice.

@sunnydrew - we had the tree removed. It was tough to let it go, but we were very concerned that the trunk might split. I miss it and do feel a bit guilty about taking it down. My mother (a member of her local garden club for at least 40 yrs) was terribly sad that we got rid of it.

@LBInteriors - YOU gave WONDERFUL advice! THANK YOU!

Thanks sgausman. I wish you alll the best in selling your home when you are ready!