This house NEEDS real shutters! This is a classic Salt Box style home. Beautiful!!

Will they fit?

Might be tight fit at left windows, gotta throw a tape on the space between the windows! Good point

What's going on under the glass storm door? I see pink? I could see the traditional "Red" front door, classic dark green/black shutters, white on white body & trim. (If it was my house)!

@bma1003, good call on the window boxes and landscape ideas, pocket fence seals the deal

"Picket" fence....

Hi, Kev,

Your cottage looks to me like Federal style....a workman's cottage. The ones I am familiar with run along the Charles River, In Cambridge Ma. Often painted just one color with no adornment (they were poor). Love, love you house.

Agree with red front door...take off the old storm door and get a new one that is a full panel glass. Invest in a vintage door knocker (Like a lion head)

I see a medium to dark grey home with white trim and red front door...Tak out the old bushes you have and start fresh...you will never regret it....add fresh dirt, raise up your gardens and mulch... Invest in a few boxwoods.. Three on each side spaced evenly across the front to start...Then consider what you would like to layer in front of those..On one side I could see a park bench with two planters next to it....Leave your beds large enough for the bushes to grow and for room to put other things in with them.. (Get some grass seed down, fertilize it and edge your walk if you have to rent an edger...) Nothing prettier than a healthy green yard with fresh mulch....Such a cute house!!! Keep us posted!!

Although I like shutters, I think putting them in would look way too crowded on the left side of the house. As a personal matter, without reference to historical character or traditions, i.,e., saltbox vs. federal, I would beef up the moulding around the windows to add architectural interest. The problem with doing this is that there's very little space between the top of the pediment and the trim of the window above it. Perhaps a new pediment could have a slightly shallower angle and be a bit wider and not quite as tall. I think the house is totally charming and would look adorable with some great landscaping.

Benjamin Moore historic color Nantucket grey for clapboard. Benjamin Moore featherbed for trim, black/green shutters. I wouldn't use the black green on front door, it looks like the entrance to a cave from the street. Either a fourth contrasting color or the featherbed would look good on door. If not removing screen door, paint it to match whatever color you paint the front door. My house is stone, those were the colors I used on house and outbuilding.

Pictures, sorry the snow picture was taken through a screen, not too clear.

I'd raise the house so its one level everywhere.

I kinda like the blue. I would not add shutters, because of the size, but I would add a bigger casement in a darker color. Two California Lilac's (ceanothus) sooth the blue. Here's a rough recolor:

And two more. I really like the one with the red front door and Rhododendrons.

Hey judyg, Federal Style! You got it, not much call for that here on the West Coast! Looks just like the pics you posted...no shutters! Who wulda thunk!

I really like the color of the third exaple that Judy posted. Your home would look great in that taupey shade with a red door.

How bout this to shake things up? "Oxblood" accent, taupe windows & cream white body?

I think "JP" might want to consider the next door neighbors color schemes...they both look cream to me..."JP" what does the neighborhood feel like? Is it colorful or neutral in general? If your neighbors are both tan or cream, and other surrounding homes are neutral, maybe go more taupe or grey. If your other neighbors are bright, and your next door neighbors are the ones sprinkled in to break up the color...maybe pick a more vivid color. What do you think? Is your home in a historic district? Do they have any guidelines? Let us know what you decide!!

I don't think there is enough room for shutters, I prefer the more simple look. I agree with judyg, go with a more American historic color, no bright blue or cobalt! Sorry, rinqreation.

This is such a cute house. I'm just commenting to see how it works out. So, please post photos of progress.

Love your style of home! Lots of color options for painting. Here is one idea that keeps the body of the home traditional and lets the FRONT DOOR speak for itself:

(I know these painters too...great work in Bay Area)



I love shutters. Yet you have a lot of windows in the front. I think shutters will not fit well...and make it too crowded. Just by doing a color change and accenting your front door, you should be just fine!

White picket fence with roses and lavender.... sigh... lovely