Option 3. Hire a mason to repair the brick. It will save you $$$. Then invest the savings in landscaping.

Thanks, mmilos!! The brick has to be removed. You are right about landscaping, though!

I totally agree, repair not replace, most people are looking for ways to add character, you are going to have one plain house if you do all this in "white".

Thanks to both. The brick created damage to the walls. I also do understand many people like bricks. We don't. They have to go.

Than work on a plan that is not all white.

Can you just remove the brick and re-side that whole portion of the house and forget about having 2 materials that just divide it and make it look squat? I might do horizontal siding to visually widen the whole area, or a stone facade on the whole window wall. White pavers sound like a nightmare to keep clean!

Or stucco look siding on it all:

Have you seen the options that Ceertinteed offers? https://www.certainteed.com/stonefacade/

Is that a neighbor's yellow gable protruding above your roof? Your cottage is a bit of a mini version of this, so you may see some features here that you could add on a smaller scale to bring it up to a higher standard and less of a squished feeling. For example, you might put some iron railing at the double window on the right. I wouldn't do shutters, but a pair of those shaped trees flanking the window might add some French flair. Proper entryway lighting would be a plus.

Southern California Homes · More Info

Here's a modern/traditional blend with a mansard roof.

Modern Traditional - Orillia · More Info

Thanks to each of you - great suggestions! I really appreciate them!

All brick is already gone - and we found the original wood siding underneath. Now onto the next steps - painting, lighting, landscape and hopefully one day - the door.