What if you create a courtyard to the left of the garage ... Small matching brick wall with an awesome entryway or door. This might let you open up the actual entry of the house and use an all glass storefront style door with matching windows above.

Good luck with your project!

Your house is fine. I like the form as it is and the white window trim and roof. Just paint the garage door and front door in colours which are more complementary. The front door should be brighter so as to draw the eye. Right now they are two shades of burgundy which clash. Also, a foreground scheme which draws the eye to the front door.

A foreground planting scheme I meant!

Thank you for all the feedback! Can't wait to paint the garage doors and get new front doors when he weather warms up. I like the idea of adding grey accents and a structural wall out front. We contemplated painting the brick grey, but have heard mixed reviews on painting brick...

You know that saying that you should live in your house for a year before making any major changes? It is soooo true. You have a really charming house - take some time to get to know it.....

I like Natalie's idea of the dark gray.,.everything that is paintable (not the brick).

I love the dark slate tones on the door and shutters of the house above with the blackish roof....not sure how thats going to work with their reddish brown roof.

The window above the front door attracts the eye first. I'd paint that window trim and the garage door and trim to blend with the main house color. That way all the attention could be directed to the entry door treatment.

I agree with the suggestion to create an entry garden/sitting area paved with the same brick as the driveway. I'd do the low brick boundary wall around the sitting area leaving a clear sightline from the street to the front door area. You might put a fountain there for the nice sound.

And, lastly, I'd add maple trees that would mature at about 12' around the outside of the boundary wall to create a lacy screen for the sitting area.

Don't forget about adding lights.

Replace your garage door with a white framed frosted glass one like this and paint your door turquoise. Brick left alone never needs painting. Once you paint it, it has to be kept up or looks tacky on a modern design building. Contemporary Exterior by Mason Doors Clopay Building Products

Here's my amatuer attempt at photoshopping your house with my ideas.I agree the shrubbery needs some tweaking. I think some expert trimming on the japanese maple would be most helpful. It needs to be trimmed from below and also inside to make it a little less dense. This design has a mid century feel and you may want something more modern.

Love those frosted glass garage doors...and yes the garden needs an overhaul. The brick is almost an orange/brown rather than red s hoping we can find a grey that will work for the trim, eaves, etc. Great suggestions!

Here's a thought.

On the other hand . . .

I think ur shrubbery is too close to the front door If u create a curved patio are with a small wall and relocate the shrubs like mrstiny s design but the patio in front area with shrubs and then wall on street side :)

As a brick manufacturer, we love the look of natural brick and its durability. However, if you do decide to paint the brick, please be prepared for increased maintenance. According to The Brick Industry Association, “Most paint authorities agree that, once painted, exterior masonry will require repainting every three to five years.”

We are all looking forward to pictures of the result of your effort.

Will definitely post "after" pics when we get started! Thank you for all the feedback

ooohhhh dont paint the brick cos my friend did and.....................ya dont want to know the outcome Paint the front door and garage and make ur entrance more open

It's difficult because some people are adamantly against painting brick, but we have friends who've painted 2 of their brick houses and it looks amazing and has held up really well. Tough call. Because we really don't like the brick colour and intend on changing it somehow...

The white window trim does stand out, consider an Ultimate Wood Window by Marvin with over 35 Outside Aluminum Clad Colors

Yes thank you, we plan on replacing the white framing it certainly stands out, not in a good way!

Certainly leaning toward adding a modern style courtyard to the front, especially since we face south. We welcome ideas on design!

Pull out

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