I'm not sure, with the dormer style and bow windows that you're going to achieve a truly NW contemporary style without major changes. I do think you could make it more current, with minimal expense, by painting the brick and using a pretty dramatic non-traditional color palette. I don't love these colors for what you're trying to achieve, but this reminded me of your home and I think painting the brick was a great improvement:

or if you want to redo the house :-) :

I think a modern farmhouse style might work without spending too much money. Painting, then updating the landscaping will do wonders. Also new front doors

I agree with the above suggestions. Paint the siding and brick in a natural color and change the front door to a natural wood with sidelites.

Look up modern farmhouse on this site. I'd paint the exterior white with with a nice wood door

My concern is those two round bay windows, contemporary has more straight lines. I don't know how much money you want to spend or the details of the look you are seeking.

White and dark.

N Maney Avenue · More Info

I'd go in the direction Chijim suggested, use earth tones that match the brick instead of contrast with it. That white and blue makes the windows pop out way too much.

For a contemporary look, I'd paint the brick thee same color as the rest of the exterior.

Thanks everyone for your wonderful suggestions and photos. We were stuck for ideas and this gives us several new possibilities to work with. :) I've started looking into natural/earthy exterior colors and for a nice wood front door. The dormer style (and roof color/material) will probably have to remain, but the curved bay windows are original and replacing may be an option (perhaps a little further down the line).

Any thoughts on adding an overhang (or other embellishment) to the front door?

I lean towards Chijim's suggestion.

Even on the backside where there is no brick, that powder blue is too much.

Yes, a short overhang over the front door will help, and in a rainstorm, arriving guests will thank you.

Your landscaping is firmly stuck in the 1980s, and it's easier to update than the structure of the house.

Leave the brick alone, use stronger earth tones and neutrals instead of the pale blue and white.Build a wide brick terraced entry (hot pink) across the front that makes a stronger statement.

Add some larger slightly modern rustic sconces (yellow) to replace the post light, and one pillar light at the corner of the entry terrace.(and one not shown) at the driveway end of the path.

Remove the plants indicated in red scribbles. Make the landscaping deeper and extend it all the way across. Use more modern plant selections - ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs,

If you get rid of the bow windows, that will help a lot. When you saw modern, do you mean MCM?

Thanks again all for your ideas! Yes MCM, or at least natural materials, clean lines, indoor-outdoor aesthetic.

Earth tones for sure!

It would be nice to convert the windows to bronze or black. But probably not in budget.

Attempted to visualize some of the above suggestions but feel like I'm still missing the boat... Fully acknowledge it could also be my photoshop skills haha!

Original:

Dark trim, color picked up from brick for siding:

Dark trim, light siding:

Light trim & siding:

Light everything:

Light everything + overhang:

Color everything + overhang:

Try dark trim with color everything!

Dark trim, color everything:

Dark gutters, light window trim, color everything else:

Modern door just for funsies:

That's my favorite of all your tries (the first one of the three above) and looks the most updated to me. What do you favor?

ETA: I think the dark trim really minimizes the impact of the bow/bay windows and they kind of fade into the background a bit.

Thanks! I added a combo option above...pretend the bow windows are replaced with plate windows. Worried that all dark trim might be too dark?

Although, the bigger issue may be convincing my other half to agree to painting the brick. ;)

Well, it's all personal preference, what suits you and other half, but I don't think the white trim adds anything.

Everything very light paint, dark trim, leave the bow windows.

Dark trim, light paint:

Cool, how about leave the bow windows and change the door?

Dark trim & door, light paint, bow/bay windows:

Are any of these appealing to you?

If you want contemporary, I think the brick needs to go, it just mixes up the look. I'd also replace the bow windows. Just depends what look you want. If you decide you want traditional (or your other half) don't paint the brick, you could then keep the bow windows.

What look do you want.? Or what features do you love and want to keep?

Thanks again for your feedback and input everyone!

Olychick, I'm thinking color everything, though on the fence about trim (dark vs light). I imagine we could start by painting the body of the house first, see how it looks, then proceed with the trim. I agree that the dark trim helps blend the bow/bay windows.

Very light paint with dark trim works also but would rather avoid too light of a main color. Just personal preference.

Cmarlin20, we like contemporary and aren't particularly attached to the current look of the house. I think we're just afraid to commit to painting the brick as it'd be more-or-less permanent. But so far painting or removing the brick seems the way to go.

Hi all, resurrecting this thread with an update.

We've ordered flat windows (to replace the bow windows). If all goes well with that, we'll attempt to get a new coat of paint on before we run out of dry summer days.

Here's what we came up with...light grey body, teal door, leave the brick as is. Any feedback appreciated before we commit brush to siding. (Landscape updates will have to be a longer work in progress...currently 95% weed management! :sad:).

Thanks for following along.

And a photo of the more-or-less finished product with:

• Replaced bow with flat 1:1:1 casement windows
• Exterior siding repair & paint

There is a color mismatch issue (window trim, can you spot it? less noticeable in strong light), which was initially very disappointing. We're told it's possible to paint vinyl/vinyl blends but...well. Leaving it for now.

Thanks again for following along!

I like your exterior updates -- looks like a very welcoming, spacious home!

It was a great decision to replace the bow windows! Love the front door color, too. Did you change it or does it just look different with the other changes?

Thank you!! :)

Changed door color to SW Moscow Midnight -- just a tad more green than the original.