Congratulations on your new house. What color is the roof? Usually paint color combinations start with the roof and any hardscape (stone, concrete, brick).

An easy way to find color combinations that you like and that fit your neighborhood is to use google streetview to look at neighbors' houses. Or drive around the newest developments in the area.

Well, the good news (?) is that it's not mid-century modern--it's more like "Colonial gone wrong." I'll bet if you go for a drive and really look hard you'll see the same home in its original state with double- or single-hung windows as opposed to sliders.

I don't find this house austere, just a bit faded.

First choice is whether you want it to blend into its woodsy environs -- olive, mushroom gray, taupe -- or go back towards its Colonial roots -- white, yellow, blue, say. Agree that the roof tones have to be kept in mind in either case.

Then you need to beef up the trim -- the windows are already brown, so just paint the band of trim around the upper windows, and maybe a fatter subset of the trim around the first-floor windows.

I'd keep the garage doors house-colored or they'll totally take over the front of the house. However, you could get more punch from larger and cuter porch lights. I suspect even those three things could give you a much more affectionate view of this nice house.

This is what I think, more or less, your house was in a former life (not that I'm suggesting you duplicate this look, mind you):

Well, it does have a bit of a modern look, but sharp. Of course, if you did in, say, yellow and gray instead, a bit more tradition would result.

This isn't mid-century modern, at all. So best to be designing within that fact.

Sammy has som great color combos that might work.

Have a certified arborist come and inspect your trees, the one limb close to the driveway needs to be removed properly. It's worth the investment.

Congrats on your new home! Updating the landscaping will go a long way - check out the cherry laurel bush. An evergreen that is not the typical hedge. Merrifield garden center can help you choose. For color, grey is always great with white and black trim but make sure you don't have neighborhood association color constraints. Visit Sherwin Williams with your house picture. They have great outdoor colors and can upload your picture with their colors. Many in the area are skewing their all wood colonial homes toward the craftsman style, new rectangle lighting, beefing up columns and adding stone to the lower half. Adding a brighter color to the front door with coordinating seating on the porch. If the two small windows next to the garage are in the same room, consider opening up and installing one large window. Good luck from Fairfax!

Try the online Sherwin Williams paint color visualizer. https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/try-on-colors

Here is our Nod to Midcentury Modern house. Notice how different this house is from yours?

Nod to MidCentury Modern · More Info

Nod to MidCentury Modern · More Info