What color are the houses around you? And do you want to match with them or stick out? That usually the first step for me, just to get a really general direction.

Follow up: Are you keeping the brick the color it is, or do you think you might do like a stain or wash?

one of our neighbors is a dark blue. the other has red brick with a light green and purple trim (can kind of see it in last picture. but there are lots of houses in the area that are tan, some peach, and some blue. so I don't watch to match the neighbors but don't want to stick out like a sore thumb either. I don't like our neighbors color green and purple ( not my thing).
as for the brick, I'm willing to whitewash/paint if I felt like I HAD to but it would be nice to find a color to complement it

oh and I don't have neighbors directly across from me. just beside me

swiss coffee (the Behr color) is the perfect off white. I used it w/black.

these are some other combos.

the blues would look nice w/your bricks. or something in the sage range

bluer grays could also work.

OK. any other ideas. cuz you just threw groups of 5 colors at me and I only need one or two. roof is black. trim off white and main (?)

Beth gave you good options. You really need to select a few that you like, order sample cans and paint on a small area to determine what works. Not painting sample areas on your home could be a big mistake.

Amanda, just showing you colors that would work. pick two you like! or get samples of 4 or 5, take them home and try them out.

If you like green or blue or tan, go to Houzz photos and ask for "green exteriors with brick" (or whatever color you like). I did that to select a green to go with my unpainted brick.

or look up 'exterior paint palettes'. they usually give you the 3 colors

In fact, this one would go perfectly w/your brick colors.

thanks everyone. i really like that last color scheme Beth!
and yes flopsycat that is the plan :)
really appreciate the input

Here is a house we just finished a couple of days ago if your looking for a painter email me for any questions

forgot to update my post. Here it is painted. I want to re-do the porch as the concrete has sunk and shifted. was thinking wood or composite. I'm also thinking of opening up the area infront of the door and adding a walking path to sidewalk as everyone crosses my lawn. my question is, should I remove all of the knee wall and beef up the columns? railing or no railing?

I would remove the knee wall and beef up the railings. I think it would open up the front of your house. Would also review your landscaping. The new paint and planter box look great. Just a few steps to take it up a notch.

Great job. I agree about removing the wall. It closes up the entrance to your house.

thanks! exactly what I was thinking. Just wanted another's opinion. will definitely be doing something about the landscaping. planning on getting new windows put in with trim.