Nice house! I like the idea of shutters in this case. Just make sure they're sized right...each shutter half the window's width. Your color choices are numerous. What colors do you like?

What color is the roof? Are you changing the siding color?

This is a very nicely proportioned, classic house. It's simple, but not blah. I'm not sure shutters will make a big difference, but if you go that way, buy good ones.

If you ran a wide, straight path from your front door to the sidewalk and flanked it with plants (hostas do well), you'd give a little more oomph to the house.

The siding will remain the same color - it is a cream color (almost white) and accented with a light gray (as you can see around the garage doors and windows - which can be changed). The roof is gray. I was thinking maybe navy shutters or some type of blue.

I agree that correctly sized and authentic looking shutters could work in this case. Real shutters are attached to the trim and have shutter dogs to hold them open. Don't do the screw on vinyl shutters since it will take away from the classic look of your house. They should look like this.

I also think adding a pretty paint color to the front door, along with some color in your landscaping, could help a lot. Larger lights and a pretty address plaque will also add to the curb appeal.

Great idea! Thank you!

If you have money to spend, a new front door that doesn't look like the Home Depot builders special will help a lot! From what I can see, your landscaping looks good and appropriate! Flower pots on each step, updated seasonally (pumpkins and mums in the fall etc) will make it gorgeous. Don't go small on these.

Also big seasonal wreath!

Also no path to the street. The slope won't handle it gracefully. Landscaping is fine.

A gray roof makes it easier! I think navy or slate blue shutters would be really nice. I agree with katinparadise's comment regarding "real" shutters.

One other suggestion...at some point think about a garage door with windows that mimic the ones in the house.

Chloebud mentioned the same thing that I was thinking. Changing your garage door windows out is just a matter of changing the one panel in the door and will better match the style of your home.

What a beautiful home!! I agree with most of the suggestions. Those plastic inserts in the garage door Windows should snap right out. I would also replace the wrought iron railings with wooden ones.

Yes...wooden railings. Good call, grapefruit!

Your idea of navy shutters would look great with your color brick. Just be very careful to choose a navy that does NOT have purple undertones.

I'm going to have to disagree with the idea of wood railings. I think the classic style of the home, along with the brick foundation and steps, calls for wrought iron. IMHO, they're much better suited to the style of the house. I think wooden railings would get too "deck like".

Thanks...I went back and looked at the picture again and was thinking...Oh, but I like the wrought iron railings....they're modern...not the old style. I think we'll keep those.

Properly sized and installed shutters:

This is a case where the right shutters would really enhance the home. Those look great!

groveraxle: We have talked about adding a portico but would have to be later...love the look and thanks for the pics - so helpful. Is there an ap for that?

groveraxle: could you change picture of our house above with these color shutters? Or tell me how I could do that? Thanks!

I personally think If you put custom sized black shutters, It would make your home pop out and put a nice contrast to it. Click the link I sent you!!
Check this out!

I understand about the wrought iron......but I just personally add that because I hate wrought iron! When I was a kid most people took off their beautiful wood railings with turned ballusters and " modernized " them with wrought iron! I have had a strong aversion to it ever since!

Athya Idnani: Thank you...I saw your pic and it does pop! I like having the different color door with black shutters, too.

I would go with black shutters and a black front door to add some drama. And a fabulous porch light and some beautiful hedges would create a timeless elegant statement. Don't forget beautiful door Hardware.

And paint the front door the same color as the shutters

Agree with using proper shutters. Here is a very short article about shutters so you see why we get so insistent on this website about not using the fake ones http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

I vote black shutters and black door.. so classic and beautiful, you can't go wrong

I just realized from the picture your home is vinyl sided. Be careful with your screw placement or you could inadvertently cause your siding to become distorted/buckle in places because it won't be able to adjust as it needs to with the weather. Mount shutters on window frames (aluminum???) or consider adding mounting blocks. Whatever you do, don't "lock down" vinyl siding in multiple spots on the same panel with shutter screws.

Here are the pale shutters you requested:

And the black shutters everyone else wants to see:

Thank you, but can you make them a pale green instead of blue? My picture may not have been clear.

Pale green:

It still comes out blue on my end but I appreciate your efforts! Thanks so much for your help!

Love the shutter idea. You may also consider changing the lighting at the door to larger and black fixtures to go with the iron railing. Beautiful house!!!!

robinandcody, monitors are notorious for displaying colors inaccurately. I actually copied the sample shutter and tried to match it in my program. That said, I think you'll be better off with something darker.

I totally agree! That helped tremendously. Thanks again!

Hello! Everyone is right, shutters would be a great addition to your home! We have polyurethane shutters available is several styles, but louvered or raised panel shutters are probably along the lines of what you have in mind. Fypon shutters are paint and stain ready to finish in whatever color you choose. Check out the our shutters on pages 45 and 46 of our window and door trim product catalog: http://www.fypon.com/products/shutters.aspx Have a great day!