I probably wouldn't do an accent color on the front. If you do then you basically draw attention to one section of the house instead of the entire facade. If you're planning on keeping the siding color as is then I would look at painting the trim and windows gray. The house style really isn't MCM so I don't think you can get all the way to that but if your budget allows you could replace the garage door with something more in that vein. I can't tell if the front door is stained or is to be painted. If it is to be painted then I would look at something that really brings a POP of color. If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

Thank you! That is a great idea about the grey - I think minimizing the white would really help.

The landscaping idea is also very clever.

I was playing with the house facade last night, and was trying to figure out if anything else could be done with the entry area to brighten it up with an accent color. Now I see your comments about perhaps not doing an accent color may be better.

The original house at the back was built in the 1960s and has beautiful wood vaulted ceilings, so the interior has a lot of potential. A very 90s addition was put on the front of the house, with these semi-circle windows and tile roof - so we are trying our best to tie these varying styles together.

I appreciate your help! I will check out the links you provided, thank you,

Shannon

Do you think it should be a dark gray around the windows and trim? Or a light gray?

I agree and thanks for your insight with the accent color. It will draw too much attention to the lower part of the house.

Thank you for your ideas!

Probably somewhere in the medium gray tones. Too light and it might just look faded. Too dark and there won't be enough contrast to the siding color. I think you are doing the right thing by getting rid of the arched windows.

While other were posting I was looking at colors specifically gray. I think you should go dark.

There are some really lovely plants there I hate to think of them being ripped out. But they are too many and some should be reduced. Think about the ones you can keep.

Yes, we will have to learn about what is in that garden - we have never lived in the house and will be moving in after the renovation. It will be interesting to see the garden through a year of seasons and then make some changes.

Dark gray trim would look good too. I was trying to figure out if I should match the color of the roof tile and paint that triangle arch over the front door and trim the same color as the roof to minimize. The trim along the top of the house could be the same.

I really don't like that last arch, but we had to keep it to keep the light from the windows and transom.

Thank you!

The house would look less traditional if you change the gable over the door.

Since your house is so dark a wood tone door will not stand out. I would paint instead.

Light gray for house trim, or even keep it white.

Remove everything from the bed along the drive. Fill in with grass there. You do not need a hedge dividing the front that way.

Love this transformation! I like a bright door and thicker trim.

see if any of these help you decide. some type of cedar slat siding, and dark charcoals and blacks or navy, is what you need

At least the roof tile isn’t red “clay”. Regarding the three arched windows, if you removed two (great move) you’ve got to remove that third one over the front door.

And as others have suggested, replacing landscape will help too, including linear, not curvy hardscaping :

Yes, that roof tile is such a challenge - we would love to just remove all of it, but we are already running waaaay over our budget on the interior. That will have to be 'phase 2', along with my new back deck.

I really love seeing these transformations above. This is super helpful.

emmarene9 Thank you for the mock up with removing the last peak over the door. I want to do that..... it may also have to be stage 2, but it just improves the look so much.

I love the cedar slat siding and the look of asymmetry that it can create. I wonder if we could frame the garage with this? or if it would look too heavy on one side.

Thanks again for these useful insights!