I agree that the shutters need to go. What is missing is a trim around your windows so the dormers pop out from the roof. Something like the below insp pics

Thanks Denita! Is the issue that the trim around the windows isn't thick enough or that it blends in with the siding because it's the same color?

My first thought is because of the color - blends too much.

Look at this pic, the trim doesn't appear thick either, but it is a nice contrast to the roof color. I like that the window trim and the dormer trim contrasts.

Oh, I love the brick and do not recommend painting it. The brick adds so much character to the home. I think what you need is some contrast. Here's an idea for a color scheme.

Hope this helps!

I really like the brick too.

So the consensus is: Keep the brick and lose the shutters? Paint trim a contrasting light color. What color do we paint the house, then? We have to coordinate with red brick and a brown roof but still want it to seem fresh.

Maybe it's the maroon/red shutters but the whole thing just looks old to me. Maybe I'm misplacing that dissatisfaction on the brick.

That could be. If you paint the trim and remove the shutters, then post again. You might not need to paint the house siding. Sometimes small changes have big impact.

So this is my paint hack job removing the shutters. What do you think? I can't seem to make painting the trim look nice with Paint, but I'll give it a whirl.

My three year old just came in, looked over my shoulder and goes, "That looks awful!" So I won't be quitting my day job to teach Photoshop.

Looks great without shutters!

Here is the link why shutters don't work on your windows:

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Cara, I like those colors, but will they work with brick siding and a brown roof? I'm having trouble finding inspiration photos of brick dutch colonials that don't have a gray or charcoal roof.

Here is one: pretty sure this is a dark brown roof

Is the brick just on the front or does it wrap around the house? Can you post a closer photo of your brick?

Try the Sherwin-Williams visualizer.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer#/active

Also here, though white white dormers.

@Bette P, It's just the front of the house. The other three sides are clapboard. I'll post pics of brick shortly.

Embrace the brick Claire! Cara's photo is great.

Have you considered painting the siding a barn red with a warm white trim? No shutters. Paint the front entry including the door warm white. The second photo shows how the brown stone (like your roof) looks great with the red and white. Your problem seems to be the roof is busy being two toned, and the brick adds another 'busy' aspect. You could whitewash the brick to tone it down. Lovely home you have by the way, the treed backdrop is the bomb. Keep your shrubs trimmed down so your nice windows show.

Not a fan of the above myself, but I'm sure it works for some.

Another option if you whitewashed the brick, warm grey and white trim.

If you paint the brick, blues are great with a brown roof.

Match the white in your brick for all your trim and especially to pop the dormers away from the roof. Remove the shutters on the bay window to the left, and paint the other ones and the front door black (and the hand rail.) Then tackle the clumpy, overgrown shrubbery for a great big impact. Live with that until next spring and see if you actually need to paint the body of the house.

Your house is very lovely! I do not mind the current colors but understand that you want a change. Sage green might be a good accent color. Please whatever you do.....do not go with any blues or grays! Your house needs warm colors.

I also agree about the landscaping needing a refresh. I would also replace the wrought iron rails with wooden ones painted the trim color. You truly have a beautiful home.

@grapefruit1_ar, Is it that you think blue doesn't go with brown roofs at all, or that in my particular case you don't think it would work? I like this inspiration picture, though it would entail covering the brick and now I'm not so sure about it...

I use photoshop to explore options for clients (works better than the visualizers). We work through photoshop options, pick a direction, then specify paint. It's very detailed but works amazingly well.

Thanks @Color Zen, how much do you charge?

I would never consider painting your brick. To my eyes any blue does not work with your brick or roof. There are many options that can work with your brick. I just do not see blue or gray in the mix. They would throw everything else off.

That is an antique brick, it is some of the most desired on the market. I would never paint it, there has to be an exterior paint color that will work with that brick to make you happy. I do like it better with out the shutters. Search for images of Old used Chicago brick. Mite help you find some colors you like. Keep in mind, there are allot of manufactures that use that name. So you will see some variations from what you have. But yours looks to be the real deal, so take pride in what you have there!

Just to clarify, are your windows a stain or paint? Will they remain as is?

You are welcome to email me to discuss- j@createcolorzen.com

@Color Zen, e-mail sent.

@Bette P, the exterior of all of all the windows appear to be painted (trim and the window itself, I believe). We're keeping the actual windows for now, but I'm not opposed to painting them if that will help.

@groveraxle, your Photoshop prowess amazes me. But I'm not sure I'm keen on the siding color. Is it charcoal?

Yes, Claire, charcoal with white trim.

How about a dark brown?

I like the dark brown better than the charcoal. But we were leaning more towards a lighter color.

Which do you prefer?

Claire, I can do any color you like.

The problem is that to achieve some contrast (which I think your home really needs) you need to go either much darker or much lighter. The green above, for example, has a value (lightness) close to the roof and so doesn't provide much contrast. Even the white below doesn't provide the contrast I think you need.

I do like the chocolate:Oops. Looks like I forgot to paint the garage. Well, you get the idea...

Brown with brown garage...

I love the brick (please don't paint it - think of it as a neutral) and I love the shutters, but they need to be a contrasting color. I love the idea of black shutters and either white or gray on the garage.