Lady of the house wondering what others think about white washing the brick?

I would also changes the landscaping by the front door .The hedge makes it looked dated to me. paint the front door a brighter color and make the entrance look more inviting If keeping the siding the same color maybe paint the shutters a different color

German smear/white washing can look good but your brick is fine IMO.

This house is a different style but the brick looks classic with white and black.

Thanks for your feedback Chloe. I have been torn for some time now about white washing, but lean towards leaving it as is. The pic you posted looks great. I think the bay window also throws us off. From, the lady

Remove the hedge that's blocking the entry and inhibiting a view of the home from the street. Can you deepen that shallow bit of roof that runs the length of the 2nd story? Here's a favorite reno of a similar style home, but I would also advise them to remove the chunky barrier-like hedges.

You might remove the bay window and add two single windows that would match up with those in the second story. I do believe window boxes (painted black or white) with red and yellow blooms would do a lot to brighten the landscape, and I would consider airy, arching shrubs to replace some of the solid-looking, manicured shrubs. Blooming plants in white pots could be placed between shrubs for more variety and color in the warm months of the year. When the time comes to replace the roof, you might choose a very pale silver grey roofing material that would bring in another light color that contrasts from the dark brick and the black shutters. You still could keep the black shutters since black and grey are related colors. If there are recessed panels in the bottom part of the side lights, you might paint the recessed panels the same light silvery grey as the roof color I suggested.

I agree with decoenthusiaste's idea that the shrubs block the view of the door. I would suggest that you remove/relocate the shrub that is directly in front of the door and add a sidewalk that goes straight to the street to make the entrance of the house look more inviting.

remove hedge across front of house to open it up. Maybe add a portico (ike pic above, but No picket fence) Or an extended porch like the pic belo with an interesting raised landscape in front. You could even put it off to the side, or even make a sitting area, which I've been seeing more often. There is plenty of room in your yard. I would also add various plants,flowers etc, the the left side of the house that has the little tree shrubs lined up. And definitely a tall tree or decorative light post or something to fill in that empty space. The overall look should be balanced, but not mirrored. If you use materials (rock ,slate such as in the below pic) use the same in some other way too . The Bay Window: While not my favorite type of window, you have one and cant ignore it. The shutters I think are fine, it would look far worse not to have them because the window would just stand out more. ( imo) You can always replace it with a nice big picture window if your budget allows, that is what I would do especially if you add and extended porch area.

The charm is still there it is just hidden by terrible landscaping.

Better landscaping does not hide the entrance. A professional landscape design would be best.

I would not paint the brick.

Thx all for tips...ill work on the landscspe in front of door...challenge with landscaping is im limited because of little sun and deer...hence all the boxwoods...also not depicted but there is a large red maple tree as tall as house on left...

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/