Thanks to all the wonderful feedback I understand clearly the Southwest Exterior paint concepts... The Quandary: One of the posts suggested the architectural features are 'not so much Southwest Design, but Craftsman Design' ...resulting in a uniquely blended-Hybrid home with Southwest Architectural features (Adobe/Stucco) 'and' with Craftsman Architectural features.... hmmmm... I have been strictly focusing on the Exterior being painted on what I thought was a traditional Southwest home; thus all the wonderful suggestions from previous posts... My question now is: Since the home is 'Not' Southwest in architectural design, but more Craftsman as one of the posts brought to light... 1. Is it appropriate to use the Southwest Exterior Color Schemes on this Hybrid house that has been identified architecturally as a Craftsman home, but the building material is Stucco-Adobe typically used in the traditional Southwest architecture?? 2. How do I proceed with the Exterior Color Scheme of this Hybrid (Southwest-Craftsman) home? Do I have to commit to 'either' Southwest Exterior Colors or to Traditional Craftsman Exterior Colors for this home to look authentic? Or can the styles be blended in some way to honor 'both' the Adobe-Stucco Southwest 'and' the Craftsman architectural aspects of this unique hybrid home?? That is what I meant in the previous post: Southwest vs Craftsman... Thank you for your patience... The home has historical value to the local community so I wish to 'honor' the essence of the home as the many pioneering families over a 100+ years as this house evolved into this unique hybrid of Southwest & Craftsman features. Thanks again for everyone's patience and time... 1113fortstockton

Remove the country style shutters and the awning - they are taking you away from your desired modern vibe. Try a more contemporary awning and colors RFF suggested. For modern curb appeal, remove shrubs and mis-shapen trees, and try xeriscape plantings that work in your area. Power wash and then stain the concrete.

Seth, these windows are set in as well, although not as deeply. It only works esthetically because they're in a style that matches the home and they're hung like true shutters. There is hardware to allow for various types of trim; a carpenter can tell you if what's possible for your house, and you should confirm that the hardware and shutter type are appropriate to the style of your home. If you were considering the decorative ones placed along the side, I think your home is too grand for that, and agree with your concern that the spacing would look off. Here's another example that's too casual for your home, but shows how the hinges and holdbacks work. You might need a deeper hinge or double hinge to achieve the look.

Your house is very lovely, and I think that blue shutters would help with a French Country vibe. Your house has some very definite Tudor features-which really doesn't run that counter to the French Country style, as I would say that the two style are "kissin' cousins." Also, French Country has a lot of curvy features, like arched windows, and your house is pretty linear, with the exception of the round vents. Your landscaping is very formal, which is also the kind of landscaping that Tudor homes had. Also, your shutters are just those decorative ones. They would look better if they were like the ones in the photo in the previous post. French Country is much more informal, so if you really want to go for the look, you need to make the environment more informal, IMO. Just adding some pretty flowers planted in a more "free form" fashion would help with a establishing a more casual ambiance. I believe that the color and landscaping can help you achieve a more French Country look.