I think it would look better painted gray. The door would look good painted a sunny yellow.

yes, it would look better same color as house.

Thank Housson. I never even thought about a different color for the portico.

Agree with Housson and Rachel, I also would suggest that the first floor windows by trimmed as the second floor windows.

Thanks. Bottom part is the original brick house so not sure how hard / expensive but will ask builder about framing out bottom windows given comments.

Thanks - since you all have been so helpful, one other thing I was toying with is by the portico there are two trim boards (one that runs just along portico). One thought I wondered is for that shorter board at portico, if it would also look better if color of house so just one trim board. Any views?

I 2nd the trimming of the 1st floor windows.

I think I would keep both borders white, although that is a tough one haha! The front door could also look gorgeous in either dark or seafoam green or red.

We painted ours the same color as our house. About the second trim board, I think it could go either way, but I see why you might want to paint it the house color.

The gable, though it matches the roof, seems to conflict with the arched window. A shed roof might have been a better choice for the front door.

I'm not a fan of that portico on that house either, so paint it to blend in and not be so prominent.

the shape of the portico is fine, no need to get carried away thinking of expensive architectural changes. good lord. it would look much better to paint the triangle grey though. if you can, maybe get somebody to add siding inside there. but even just painting it will go a long way.

door: since your house is grey, you have so many options to choose for the door color! I really love the shape. personally, I'd go for a bright mustard (if that makes sense), dark bold red, or maybe even gloss black.

BF that is a great idea about just adding siding to portico ! Love that photo. Thanks !

you're welcome! this is more like the door color I'm thinking of.

I’d also paint those odd white trim bands the house color.

Is that a brick sill on the lower windows that could maybe be painted the trim color? I hope you post to before and after - looks great and i would love to see more!

BF - what software did you use to show the color on portico ? Is it something I could use to try to see what color would look like if I painted the lower band house color ? I tried to find a program online but it was terrible — looked so unrealistic. Your picture is amazing !

Paint the siding trim on the second floor the same color as the siding.

Photoshop. I'm a graphic designer, so I did this old school.

I added trim on the first floor windows. You can keep the frieze boards white, but paint out the portico gable and vertical corner trim to match the siding. A bright door and some ground cover on the slopes and this house will rock.

Grover axle - very cool. Thank you. Some of you asked, here is a picture of the old house. My goal was to preserve as much of the foundation and then remake it. Obviously very different now.

For those who suggested I trim out the first floor windows, do you think I could do that on just the front, or would it look weird to not do the sides and back then as well?

would be fine on the front only if your objections is to raise the curb appeal but defiantly better all the way around.

schmidt painting - thank you. yes, just thinking tackled a lot of projects so want to raise curb appeal but also focus on what is critical.