Agree with judyg. First thing, those wooden railings are killing you. You need a handrail per code for the steps, but if you can get something made to match the others, or come up with a new scheme all-together you would be doing the house a great service! Don't be afraid to change them all, it's either 2 or 3 new railing systems, so changing them all won't be all that much more.

Yes, the railings are going, all of them!!! I was also thinking about adding some sort of trim to embellish the windows. We had shutters, removed them, we can always paint and hang them again.

I wouldn't paint thered brick. It is such a classic color. And about any color (save more red, maybe) looks good with it. The window on the right looks too small so unless you are willing to enlage that window the shutters could be a solution. Would like to see them very dark gray or green-a dark color anyway!! Bright door color!!

OK, here's one... I like the heavy eave detailing under the entry roof, and how it sits on your window (integrating the entry door and left side window). Try a heavy molding that continues the "suggestion" of molding over the other window, and let it "step" out, maybe with some crown to accent the smaller window to the right. You could also play with some corbel details or faux window box pieces (at least under the small window) to tie everything together.

I would put your focus on the windows, definitely darken them to add some punch to the facade. Re-landscaping the front and adding some trees for height by the house would be great as well. The bush on the right could be replaced with something that looks a bit more current and interesting. Try to add a feature tree of some sort, like a japanese maple or a try-color beech perhaps.

Make the small window look bigger - without changing the size of the opening:



You can't do the pop-out, but you can add some trim above and below.

I appreciate the feedback!!! Thank you.

Hi Kisettle,

I absolutely agree with many of the points from fellow Houzzers. The first thing I notice, is the disproportionate window to the right of the door. This has been replaced at some point, with what appears to be a metal window, this should be a wood window. It looks too small for such a large gabled front, so I definitely would put a wood window back here, embellish it with trim as Young and Borlik suggested, and I would put back the shutters, and paint them either black, dark green, or a slate blue, black being my first choice. The two cheap wood railings have to go. If the budget permits, go for a rod iron railing. I would paint them all black, but the choice is yours alone. I also noticed the light fixture to the left of the door, not attractive, and it is going up, as opposed to one that would hang down. The reason I don't care for it, one, the white looks cheap, two, it calls the viewers attention to the significant drop to the ground. Get an onion lamp, or traditional brass or black coach lamp, that faces down. Shape the pretty bush to the right of the small window, not too low, as this still is a significant drop, from top of gable, to the ground. Use the landing on the top stairs of the door as your guide. Landscape below the living room window, and the portion in front of the front door landing, taking advantage of what appears to be a beautiful tree dappling shade on the front of the home and lawn area. The front door appears to be original, so again I would paint it possibly black, but more inclined to put a forged handle, with thumbplate, and a kickplate on the bottom of the door, brass, or a more updated finish, your call. I might even leave the door white, as it might compete with the proposed black rod iron railings, porchlight and shutters, I would have to see. Definitely don't paint the brick, enhance it with the above suggestions. Your home has great bones, classic touches, and I know it will be beautiful when you place your personal touches on the canvas. The very best to you!

Traditional Guy, thank you for the detailed description. That covers everything. I will post the finished product for everybody once done. Again, I appreciate everyone's very thoughtful feedback!!!

I like the brick. :)

All the above suggestions make sense, but the biggest issue that nobody has mentioned is scale. The house sits proud above the viewing location without plants to bring it down to human scale. Magnifying the effect, is the small porch and concrete steps that don't relate to the architecture. Before you paint the brick, or attempt other permanent modifications to the structure, try these first. 1. Enlarge the front porch using brick details or concrete pavers that look like brick with segmental concrete retaining blocks to hold. 2. Widen the concrete walk width by 1.5 times using jointed concrete with brick soldier course border against the existing and on the opposite (new) edge. (increasing perceived width of walk to match the scale of the home) Also, try an aluminum or metal rail system that looks more permanent and will coordinate well with brick. 3. Add plantings in the foreground that will ground the home...right now it looks as if it's ready for liftoff. Use lower plantings of small (3' height max) shrubs with simple groundcovers next to porch and walk.

As a brick manufacturer, we love the look of natural brick and its durability. However, if you do decide to paint the brick, please be prepared for increased maintenance. According to The Brick Industry Association, “Most paint authorities agree that, once painted, exterior masonry will require repainting every three to five years.”

Some brick definitely is better painted but yours is not included in that group. Your brick is very pretty and clean looking and would look fabulous with all trim painted a darker color like slate blue, olive green, black etc. Paint EVERYTHING that isn't brick a color, with door a different deep shade. No more white... The elevation above the street is a fortunate boon that improves the look of your house as well as being practical for drainage etc. With trim paint changes, railing cleanup and a touch of landscaping, your house will easily become a neighborhood star! Good luck!

Tan woodwork sounds good, some black/nightblue or a red door.
The iron rail will blend in just fine when painted black.

What about staining the brick?

I was also going to suggest some landscape layering, and railings with newels, as in the photos "Century Home" and "Mount Curve" above. The suggestions to ground the home and add texture to the foreground are right on.

Here are some cable railing ideas. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4579344/thumbs/Residential-Cable-Railing-by-The-Cable-Connection

Paint the brick! Why is it that everyone on this sites only suggestion is to paint every ugly tired brick fireplace wall white ...Yet no one says paint exterior brick?? I love the idea of a darker taupe paint with a charcoal trim.

A narrow deck all the way across the front, held up by 4 brick columns would put everything into proportion no matter what color trim you chose.

A beautiful rock garden like this one would add a lot of curb appeal :

Traditionalguy467, I think you mean wrought iron.

Thanks Bluenan,

You are so correct! I noticed the mistake, tried to edit it, but the system wouldn't let me make the correction. That's what I get for my late night addiction! I appreciate your discerning eye fellow Houzzer. The best to you!

Iol, It reminded me of my husband who always calls barbed wire, "bob wire"...

Can we see the after???