Did you not like the shutters on the window? I think with the window box it would add a cottage feel. I am a romantic storybook house and cottage fan. I think all of your ideas are spot on. I think I might try to add a third color to your black and white trim colors. It's hard to tell on the computer what color the brick is. It looks to be pinkish roman brick. Personally I think the black is a little too much contrast. Maybe a dark green or gray would be better. Instead of a straight walkway how about a curved one? Same with the plants lining the walkway. I would have some curves there. I'm not sure you need another tree. You appear to have plenty of shade. How about a birdbath or some other decorative feature? Your home as is appears, cute, warm, and inviting. Good luck.

Cute home. Be careful with the brick pavers if you live in the north. I used brick on the north side and it was always covered in ice and a slip hazard. Remember catmint attracts cats! What about lavender and fairy roses. Very cottage looking. I saw a home near me in your brick and they used a soft taupe for trim. Very subdued but charming. Good luck. Capes are my favorites!

When you replace those steps, think about adding a wider front porch. You could add a small patio in place of some of the foundation planting so you can enjoy the front yard a little more. Adding seating in the front makes it a more welcoming place! Put a bench in front so you can sit a while and see what you really want to do with the space!

One more

Wow! Thank you to everyone for your feedback. I am so appreciative! You gave great suggestions -- here are my responses:

1) Jayme: Thank you for the portico photos. I think that's a great idea! I'm going to file it away for future reference. Funny thing is that I had already bookmarked months ago the photo of the house with the Annabelle hydrangeas so we must be on the same wavelength!

2) Thank you "bclowg" for the wider steps/porch/seating suggestions. More great food for thought. I love the idea of a bench in the front yard but as the house is fairly close to the street and there's no landscaping to act as a barrier, it feels like the house is on top of the street and too exposed right now. However, in the future as I add more landscaping and beds I hope to create more of a sense of intimacy in the front yard and can perhaps work this in.

3) sms9758: Yes - we are in the north so ice is an issue. Thanks for that tip. I'm wondering if it might be more practical to just stick with cement as it'll be easier to de-ice and shovel. Also, thank you for the paint color suggestion as well as tip with catmint. I will look for a hardy variety of lavendar (zone 5). And....Capes are my favorite too!

4) Claudiann: Thanks for the vote of confidence! Regarding shutters, I love them but the previous owner removed them. Also, it appears they were originally only on one side as the left window larger. I wonder if they would look out of scale and would come to close to the front door on the left. Also, thank you for your feedback on having some curves in my bed lines. And, about paint -- yes, I too have wondered if the black is too harsh. I have also kicked around dark green, gray-blue or dark gray (just nothing in the red/orange/yellow family). I will get some large paint chips from Benjamin Moore and try that out. Regarding the brick color, it is an orangey/red/pink. Unfortunately, when the previous owners tuck-pointed the masonry last time they chose to use a red-tinted mortar which only accentuates all the orange. We're stuck with it and must work with this color (incidentally, we kicked around painting the brick until we realized how much more maintenance we'd have).

How about an update on your project?

Hi Tashawientjes,
Let me say your home is anything but bland, and purchasing a home is quite an accomplishment, your to be commended! I too love the simple look of the traditional home, and after glancing at your ideabooks, I think you should follow your heart, as you have excellent taste. I might suggest a few small tweaks, as you asked the esteemed Houzzers for a few suggestions. First off, when the time for a new roof comes, I personally would do it in a deep charcoal grey or black to offset the brick, and I believe it will always look classic. If it were my home, I would stick to classic colors against the brick for trim color. Front door should be be black, slate blue, or even dark green, but then roof would have to be reconsidered. Probably would then consider light grey. I can't fully make out your front door, but consider a solid wood door with forged handle and kickplate on the bottom for visual interest. The hardware on the blue door in your ideabook is very attractive. I always say this, but I feel a new fixture is the finishing touch on any redo, kind of the jewelry on the outfit so to speak. Consider a new coachlamp out of aged copper, brass, any other type of material that appeals to you. Make it a tad more substantial then the one you have, take a look at Bevolo online for inspiration. I think I would put shutters on the right set of windows, and the flowerbox under the main window to balance the front. Consider red geraniums in the flowerbox for color. Trim of flower box should be white, shutters should match the door and railing color. For varied visual interest, I would stone the existing porch right over the cement, as there is enough brick going on. I personally would use the same stone, be it cobblestone, flagstone, or Pennsylvania blue stone on the entire walk. I would form an arc where the walk curves to the left just before the steps, to soften the existing walk. I might even have the same two arcs reversed, at the beginning of the walk near the street. The walk should start off more substantial at the entrance, and meander or taper off the closer you get to the entrance. You might even consider an arbor with a picket gate at the entrance, perhaps with climbing roses. I'm not a big fan of storm doors, but understand it might be a necessity without much of an overhang, perhaps a small porch a some point as the budget allows. Lastly, your home shows true pride of ownership, may you thoroughly enjoy turning this charming place into your dream home!

Cute home! Pavers are fine if you get snow-- I'm in MN and it's not a problem. You could also do a stamped/ stained concrete.

I think you also need more green height under your windows. Box woods?

I know your house is brick & these are cedar shakes, but the color is very similar. You can break up all the tan with more white trim, portico, pergola, stone steps & flower bed border, picket fence & lots of plants. (not all of those things, just what you like) If you decide to add a porch someday, I like the style of the last picture. It lets you have some privacy even on a busy street.

Red has run it's course, but I'm at a loss for color ideas. Countertops are grey (flecks of dark grey and tan) with natural oak cabinets. Thanks for any great paint suggestions!

I suggest that you consider widening your entrance path by placing bricks along each side. Hopefully you could find some in a color similar to your house.

It would be great if your landscaping were taller, almost up to the bottom of the windows. You might consider a shrub that won't get too tall or perhaps Baptisia australus (not sure of spelling), a native plant that has some winter interest. There are also grasses to consider--where are you located? What direction does the house face?

This kit comes fully designed and ready to install on your home

as you, and others have suggested, the key is to break up the tan. So YES to a charcoal roof, and YES to lots of white trim.

I would keep the metal railings; they're cute and have a nifty design.

Hello,

How did things work out with your house? My reaction would be to add blue/blue-gray flower boxes (inspired by the Bee cottage blue) and then when the time comes for the new roof, choose one of the grays with lots of blue/green mixed in, to contrast with the red and bring in a bit of color.

I hope you can send some update photos!!

Awhile back, on HGTV Fixer Upper, they did a wonderful brick application called "German Smear", a rubbed in plaster and creates a charming European finish. I understand that it is very long lasting. I have the same orange brick and I will be doing this soon. I am also removing my shutters.

BEFORE:

AFTER:Here's another home exterior with same application: