I'm trying to post a photo. Let's see if it'll work this time...

If you plan to be here for more than 5 years, do what you can to make the house work for you. You can stain brick or paint it. Best company for that is Romabio. They have specialty masonry paint and whitewash. With the brick changed you can move on to changing the siding to match. You'll get a lot of input about removing faux shutters from double windows, but that is up to you. I think the porch is extremely dark. If you lighten the brick it might help, but if you decide to stain a dark color, you'll need to find a way to brighten the "black hole" entrance." Looks like you may have an oval glass front door, which leans toward Victorian. That will need replacing with something more contemporary. If you wanted, you could replace the brick column with a square one that coordinates with the new color choices. You could do a "split" one like it on the right and left walls for balance. Maybe someone with the skills here can show you how it would look. It isn't helpful that the shrubs are covering the entry either. I think a re-work of the landscaping and the addition of an ornamental tree out front would help tremendously.

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I know you said landscaping later, but I would start by removing the 3 large center shrubs - especially if you can do it yourselves. Then you can better see how your different house options might look. How wide is the porch opening - are you sure you need that support? It is so unfortunately in the center,

I would definitely paint the brick (and the garage door the same color). Maybe consider vertical siding (board and batten type?) for the upper. I think that would make it look taller. I like shutters, but I think having none on your house would make it look fresher.

Larger lights would be more in scale with your house, too.

In replacing windows, think about whether you might want to add some texture to the front of your house with some muntins or mullions, instead of the plain glass panels you now have, top and bottom. You are wise to drive around and look at things you like/dislike in other houses. Next time you are driving, focus on the window pane issue.

As an example, a neighbor just built a house with double hung windows that have three vertical panes on the upper section and just one below. It looks fantastic!

When we replaced our windows 6 years ago, we went with the 6 over 1 format (similar to those in the photo) as used in the turn of the century house I grew up in.... I love it because we have the full glass panel on the bottom for uninterrupted views of the woodland behind the house, but still have the texture with the 6 panes above. And it still fits stylistically in our development where the houses were built with the 6 over 6 style common in the quasi-Colonial style homes here.

For many new windows, the mullions are essentially a grid encased between the two panes of glass while for others they are added on later superficially to the inside.

The roofing color and the brick go together well. The small upper shutters should be removed. You could replace them with the correct size shutters or leave them shutter-less. Replacing the existing shrubbery will go a long way in updating the facade. Do a variety of flowering and non-flowering shrubs which will not grow forever (plants with reasonable mature sizes don’t require frequent trimming).

I would:

1) Remove the shutters and not reinstall.

2) New siding in a wider profile.

3) Wider trim around the new windows.

4) Paint garage door same color as new siding.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers showing changes, check my website, Creative Visual Concepts.

If this were my home, I’d work toward a cleaner slate before moving on. A few things to consider: removing: the shutters, bulky shrubs, and center porch column if not structurally

necessary. Since I don’t like brown brick, I’d paint it with Romabio products, and replace the siding and paint the garage door with the same color. A front door more consistent with the style of the house. New landscaping. As you mentioned, you are somewhat limited by the roof color. Perhaps someone can paint and post a rendering of the facade . Good luck with your project.

I’m not a pro, but I would consider a muted blue or grey/blue. I always like that combination with the brown roof and brick. You could go darker or lighter depending on what you prefer. Also maybe consider a sage/silvery green. Maybe someone can mock up for you! I would say no tan as that’s too much brown.

And I would definitely get rid of those bushes asap! Will make a difference quickly.

And please come back with pics and updates. Good luck!

Some examples to consider!

Thank you for your responses! This is a great community. Sounds like the easiest place for me to start is taking out the ugly shrubs. LOL.

I'm intrigued by this lime wash idea for the brick...then maybe a saturated blue or green siding... Is anyone here turned off by the whitewashed brick look?

I'd do some research on the whitewash....once it's applied, is it necessary to recoat it or touch it up regularly?

Do you have the siding contractor? See what brands/product lines he handles and what colors are available in those. Maybe send the colors you like out to this group!

And for some additional interest, while you ditch the shutters, think about adding some more interest within the windows themselves, perhaps some mullions on the top half.

Karen,,,No.

Bestany- Can you do a new front door? something a bit more modern?

The Romabio is a natural mineral paint. has almost zero maintenance. this is the Limewash. and bonus, it's one coat, if you don't like it, it can be hosed off within 72 hours.

they also have more of more of a paint meant for masonry so you will get more coverage

similar style homes if you want to see what else you can do

I love these colors together. so if you did your brick in this light color, you could do a lighter siding, or even more of a charcoal color. Like this siding

and then bring in some natural wood elements. when it's time to change roof, go with a dark gray or ebony

If Celerygirl or Groveraxel come along, they can do some amazing photoshops so you could see what it could look like

and here's my attempt at photoshopping. I used the warm cream brick color, and tried to copy the blue siding in one of my comment pics, but it looks more like a forest green. which actually look kind of nice w/the wood.

However, I think you could also nix the shutters. depends on how the new windows look.

(and down the road when you get the darker roof color, it will look better)

I love the darker garage door w/some of the carriage type of look. new light, trim it out in the same warm wood tone.

a style door like this would also work. I love this door

PS,,,those bushes have to go, and your tree needs pruning!

Wow! The limewash product sounds amazing! I can just imagine if the OP does this, that a few neighbors will give it a try.