Well, no shutters at all. They don't fit properly.

Love the house and love the black front door.

I would paint a black "runner" up the white stairs.

This effect:

South Tottenham House · More Info

Not loving the hedges, but I am not a good enough gardener to advise you.

And, how about a new mailbox?

Hi Mitch! Looks like you've got a great center hall colonial. There's lots of symmetry and straight lines in the architecture. You might want to consider introducing some curves in your planter beds to soften that. Definitely get rid of the rigid hedges. There are foundation plantings that will have a much softer effect. Hydrangeas are a classic accompaniment to houses of your design. Replace that inappropriate boxwood or privet on the left corner of the house with a beautiful blooming crepe myrtle tree or shrub.

Start with low-growing plants in the front of your planter bed then graduate the size back towards the house with those closest to the house being the largest. Keep your potted plants full of colorful flowers on the steps.

Totally agree that the railroad tie mailbox mount needs replacing as do the railroad ties used around the current planters. Look how bulky and rustic they are compared with the delicate, more formal railings around the front porch. You could use field stone to edge your planter beds. That was a common practice in colonial times as they cleared fields for planting and had plenty of rocks.

If you want to go completely against type and have a very modern yard, use native grasses, red bark dogwood (see picture), and other very structural plants appropriate to your climate. Add in stone mulch instead of wood.

As to the shutters, I would pick up one of the medium to light greys from your roofing to use on the shutters. Definitely keep them, your house would look very flat-faced otherwise. Lots of luck!

Hey cathy2003. I like the idea of a brightly painted door. Mitch and his gang obviously like color, judging by the front porch chairs. If the door is a color other than black, then the shutters can stay black and it would look great.

Paint the door yellow, and arrange the chairs in rainbow-esque order.