Hey Sam - I did that search and came up empty handed.

Maybe you just need to update the windows. Your windows are sunk in. The dormers like in this pic could work

I got a page of ideas when I did that search. Don't know why your results are different. Hope the OP can see what I saw.

DON'T PAINT THE BRICKS (too much upkeep)! Reroof in a colour that looks like cedar shakes. Real shakes would darken, and slate isn't going to do anything to reduce the heaviness.

The shutter are toooo slender. Put large lanterns on either side of the door.

You can never fix an American mansard to be less obtrusive than it is. Either match the windows to the roof color, but that will be pretty dark...

or pop them out with more detail like shutters,

or do some of both.

Then bring the eye down to new and richer landscaping so it won't be drawn to the roof and windows as much.

Pull the eye down with something that draws attention to the landscaping.

Painting the body of the house a darker color could be key to "vanishing" the roof, but I would work with windows and landscaping first. They need attention even if you paint, and they may make the biggest difference.

I don't think you need to paint the brick. Your house is lovely.

I do suggest removing the shutters. I would also remove the railing and shrubs in front of the stoop.

Some landscape adjustments would help also. If you want help with that you can visit the Landscape Forum.

As you see I am not an artist. You have to use your imagination.

Black is classic but you could consider painting the door in a different color. I say this only because the roof is black and you have enough black.

Since you mentioned painting I was curious. I thought that painting the house darker, closer to the roof color, would make the house look more together. I found that not to be the case.

I am showing the photo because you may disagree with me. I thought it took attention away from the lower floor and made the house look blokish.

White looks nice

I don't think I'd paint for such a small color change.

Last one.

Knight Construction did a nice job on a similar house......i searched mansard roof house and looked under "advice". They are there, or just go to their pros page and look thru their projects.

The shutters work on the house you posted. I think that is a country French look. On your house they are not enhancing. I also like the lighting on the house you posted. Something like that would be nice for your house.

Yeah, my house will never look like the one I posted. Wishful thinking. :) How did you make all of those changes? I would love to try and model the gray shaker shingles with the white paint. Do you use a certain program?

I'm thinking a decorative black garage door, style compatible with house, will help to balance the heaviness of the Mansard.

Yes, improved landscaping will do the trick!

I use Paint. If you have a computer that runs Windows then you probably have it on your computer. You just draw on top of a picture you load. I changed house colors using the visualizer at the Benjamin Moore site. There is one at Sherwin Williams site as well.

Replace the asphalt shingles on the sides with something lighter. You could do painted cedar shingles. You could try a metal standing seam room. Make it far lighter in color. Or just try a cream asphalt shingle on the side, keep the top gray.

I think think just a good landscape plan will make a huge difference. Italian cypress flanking the garage, and window boxes for the upper windows will help balance and break up the roof lines. Then accentuate the lower half be mostly eliminating shrubs that cover the brick. Bring in some brighter colors to draw the eye away from the roof. Sweet potato vine adds a spreading vivid green. Pair with low growing flowers and/or flowering shrubs. (I added a hydrangea to the far right of the house.)

I don't know why the photo will only upload in such a small version; I may try again in a separate comment. Hopefully you can get an idea.

Well, this is as large as it will load. Would love to see what you end-up doing!

Hi lanzmo,

Updated lanterns on your home and garage will really make a statement.

We are the oldest open flame copper lighting company
in the U.S. and hand make every one of our fixtures in New Orleans, LA. We have
hundreds of different lighting combinations and offer a complimentary design
service.

From your picture, our French Quarter lantern and the Monaco on French Quarter bracket are excellent options. Feel free to email us plans or pictures of your space and we
will be happy to make style and scale recommendations. Happy updating! -Lindsey

Progress update! Thanks so much for the suggestions! Due to hail damage, we are in the process of getting a new roof, pic attached of new gray shingles. Painters are coming in a few weeks to paint the brick and window area white and install new exterior lights. Should we paint, replace or ditch shutters? Any other thoughts?

The gray is a big improvement and softens the look.

Those lights read read more as craftsman too me than mansard style

Agreed, you can do better on the style for the lamps.

I vote for ditching the "too small anyway" shutters.

I don't have a very traditional style. I'd like to insert a little modern flair with lighting, similar to the interior. I totally see what you are saying with regard to Craftsman. What else would you suggest?

Ditch the shutters.

Ok I hear you but................ when you have such a dominant and distinctive roof line like your Mansard roof, it is very tricky to introduce a modern flair however I will give it a shot!

You need to mitigate the windows which scream traditional. Therefore, I am suggesting you paint the surrounding tan color the same color as the new roof shingles. Then the eye will see less of the rounded top surround and the white window trim will stand out more and help modernize the windows.

Next, I will look for lamps.

Best.

https://www.houzz.com/products/zephyr-1-light-outdoor-wall-lights-muted-bronze-prvw-vr~40025868

This style would compliment the hard straight edge of the roof line. Plus it would help make the transition between traditional and modern as you desire.

Please send a better pic of the front entry - I suspect the door style needs an update as well? A double modern door would work.

I did the door a few years ago. here are some photos. I like those lamps, thx!

also, I was planning to paint the areas around the windows white to match the brick. I was debating on trying to put a wider wood frame around the windows or something to make them look updated. They are old looking. You think painting gray is better than white?

https://www.houzz.com/products/bridgeview-mission-dust-bronze-1-light-wall-sconce-prvw-vr~43797129

These would work well with the new front door.

Do you like them?

last question because you guys have a been so helpful. I mocked up the idea of painting the aluminum windows black to create some character. Would you go with this option with white paint as background on 2nd floor windows, paint the area around second floor windiws gray and add wider white wood frames or just paint everything white? thanks!! I also decided on the lightning. will add a pic. Thx for steering me away from Craftsman.

and here is the light

I really like your mockup, I think by choosing the light grey color for the top windows add a more modern flare.

I think you have answered all your own questions with that great mock up! Good choices - really looking more modern!

thanks! the black is really expensive so I am now choosing between all white on second floor or gray with white border around window to match my French door. (pic). I can add the black later, I think.

Our neighbor's house; might be hard to see but it's gray with white wide trim around the windows. It looks really good in person!

Lisa - do you have a picture you could post of your house now that it's done? I have a very similar house and am trying to pick a shingle color.

here are a few angles. we love it and get tons of compliments. front yard is being redone this summer with new driveway and pavers.

This is fantastic! I’m going to start a thread with similar questions, except the house I’m starting with is WAAY less attractive than the one you started with ;)

Love the roof color! :-)

Reshingle in a lighter color maybe?

Don't ever paint brick. In 10 years or so the front of the blocks will pop out from freeze/thaw caused by the inability of the bricks to weep. people claim painting bricks with special paint is okay, but I find this hard to believe. The only time painting Masonry is suitable is when you have a historic home with lime mortar you want to protect.

We painted the brick back in 2017 and couldn't love it more. I am expecting maintenance at some point, but hoping for the best.

Any garden update?

emmarene, do you mean the new driveway and pavers?

I meant plantings but I would gladly view the drive.

Our mansard roof. We painted shutters black they used to be white and put on new modern door.

Yours looks great, Linda!!! Here is mine. I need to find a wide shot of the whole thing, but this should give you an idea.

The black shutters look good.

Lisa the new drive is very nice.

Lisa We’re struggling with the same roof problem on our “soon to be painted white“ mansard. Your house looks great! What brand and color is your new roof?

I cannot seem to find a record of it. I asked my husband who dealt with the roof ppl and he didn't have the info either. Sorry!!