Are you in love with the brick or would you be willing to paint that too? There are basically maintanence free brick paints avaliable now.

It would really open up your color options and help modernize.

Oh and when you do landscape, I would consider either trimming that pine a bit more or removing.

First, get rid of the shutters and the railing on the porch, unless it is required by law. Take pix of your brick to a paint company and let them help you find colors to compliment it. I think bronze windows would look better with it than black. They are more common and less expensive too. I would not replace with the same style but go more modern for the look you want.

I'm not 100% against painting the brick. You're right it would give me more choices. The maintenance over the years scares me though.

I hadn't thought about the railing. I'll Photoshop that and the shudders out and see how it looks. Good idea.

I hadn't heard of bronze windows before. I just looked them up and thought those were black framed. I'll call my window company back to discuss cost. Thanks for the tip.

If you use ceramic or mineral paint not an issue. There is a designer on here who always reccomends this product or something like it. https://romabio.com/masonry/

there are plenty of paints meant for brick that allow it to breathe. they also make brick stains. both of these require no more maintenance than regular house painting.

Great examples Beth H, thank you!

Hate to say it, but that tree has to be removed. It is dangerous to your home. Do you just want to paint or do a much larger project? What other styles are in your neighborhood?

I vote no on painting the brick. You take a no maintenance product and turn it into a long term maintenance issue. The dark brown gutters are what sticks out the most to me. I would definitely remove the shutters as they are inappropriate for the windows based on size. Are you planning on painting the siding or will you be doing new siding? Also, is the roof being replaced? If both of those are being done you options broaden. I like the idea of stained wood siding and garage doors. Your house is so garage forward that making them go away visually is going to be difficult, if not impossible. Therefore, a stained wood garage door would make them more of a feature.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

Try this combo with wood look doors and cedar arbors.

I'll see if I can snap some pics of the other houses on my street without looking like a total creeper lol. I don't know what this style of house is so hard for my to say. Every house is unique but all built in the same year, so similar 2 story/garage type homes.

The roof is about 12years old, so a new one will be in our near future anyway. So I want to plan the whole look and then just chip away at it each year. I was thinking of panting the siding initially, but do like the idea of wood.

The tree, while ugly is healthy. I have a hard time ripping something so giant up just because it's not to my tastes. It was to the ground, we trimmed it up quite a bit which has helped. And it does shade our home which is nice in the summer and provides privacy to the bathroom window behind it.

Follow up question to the wood siding. I see in the sample pics the underside of the roof overhang is dark, which I can see looking nice on the second story. What colour would the overhang above the garage, front window and the ceiling of the porch be?

terarobin. the home looks like a 1970's brick ranch, 70's two story ranch, and,,some are called 1970's split-level. you'll find similar homes if you search those names.

I see where you said you trimmed it. i was going to suggest going up a bit further. it will give more visibility to your home. go back and take off another foot or two of branches if possible, or really lop the lower hanging ones. look at your picture in the main post. see how those block the windows? they need to be trimmed back or cut.

I'd also remove the shutters. they are too small for those windows and really don't add anything to the look.

the lower window,,,is that brown trim near the glass vinyl, wood, ? I'd get rid of all the brown and pick a black, navy, dark gray, or go lighter and do a darker house color.

what is your preference for color?

if keeping the garage doors, you can choose to paint them the same as the house color, or the trim color.

they have brick stains and brick paints that don't require the upkeep that used to come w/painting them w/latex paint.

see what you think of this crude photo shop with the cedar siding. now imagine the brick a dark blue/black or charcoal color.

with a white glass door and siding on the porch

if you give me another pic w/o the cars blocking the garage doors, I or Grover (she's way better than I am at this) could show you what it would look like with painted brick and new doors.

thanks phun! you're so good at that! I'd like the brick painted if she goes that route tho. maybe a lighter charcoal? or light gray? ,,whatever you think will look appropriate.

Terarobin,,look at what phun just did w/you house!! You'd be the talk of the block if you did your home this way. don't forget landscape and driveway/hardscape. doing the house is only half of the job.

Thanks Beth H. : - I use many of your ideas!

*jaw dropped*

OMG I can't believe that could be my house. Never in a million years would I have gotten to something that beautiful on my own. You guys are amazing!!!!! Thank you so much!

terarobin,,,,isn't it gorgeous? I wish I had your house now. lol. Phuninthesun is amazing w/the photoshop. she and grover can transform any picture.

oh phun,,,just noticed you painted the brick in the gray. yes! perfect.

robin,,,gray brick, black windows, cedar siding (vertical or horiz) black roof, new driveway (if you can afford it, do the pavers),and charcoal garage doors and charcoal trim around the house. New modern style black door, and modern exterior lighting. ,the landscaping,,,you'll have to find something that can survive under the pine tree. not many things will. for the interim, get some black mulch and maybe do a slew of containers w/Coleus plants in them. they love the shade. .

It really is. The lights on the front bring a balance and symmetry I didn't think possible on my house and I've really struggled to bring the top and bottom into balance with such a dark base. But these colours and dark roof are just stunning. Now to just find the funds. I'm not sure if I can do this bit by bit like originally planned, I'm too excited and want the whole thing done.

lol. welcome to my world! you roof will be the big ticket item. well, and the driveway,,the actual house painting won't be that bad,,,and the windows,,,are you in so cal? I can actually help you out w/that one.

No, up in the great white north :)

damn. could have saved you about 6K! have you thought about doing a metal roof? would great w/that modern look. don't know how long you plan to be in the house or what the budget is.

Plan to be here a long time, but the price difference between metal and shingle is astronomical. I'll have to give that one some thought when the time comes.

Appreciate the offer on the windows :) thanks.

And thank you Phun for the photos!

If you need to do it a little bit at a time, you could go ahead and just paint the brick and the siding gray. Paint existing garage doors black/slate and it will look fantastic as well.

That's a feasible plan. Thanks Phun, seeing it makes such a difference. I can't even count how many times I looked at these photos and reread everyone's feedback today. I feel so much better now having a plan. #WeightLifted

thank you all so MUCH!

Some amazing examples above, love the dark grey and wood siding