I don't see a small strip of cedar. Why not paint it like the rest?

I believe she is referring to the painted wood paneling (painted cedar) above the garage door and the front upper portion of the house. The side of the house clapboard siding.

If you really hate it, have it changed to match the side of the house. It would look better IMO.

I actually like the vertical siding better than the tight lap siding. It looks more modern. I would leave it.

I like it. The light beige color goes well with the brick and the dark brown outlines everything. I think you should work on the porch. Start with the post. Is it kind of unstable? A different color for the door, one that goes well with the brick. Maybe a deep brick red or terra cotta. And landscaping

We just took out all the landscaping- it was dead and overgrown. The house was built in the late 70’s early 80’s. We are planning to replace the post. While it’s not unstable, it’s not proportionate. We thought about painting the whole hose white, including the brick to give it a fresh modern look. Replacing light fixtures and front door.

I think what makes the house look "dated" is not so much the siding but the dark brown trim. If there are some tones in the brick that would work (medium taupe gray/brown) I would pull those and use them on the siding and the trim. I would replace the column or wrap it to make it more substantial and then pick a bright color for the front door to make it more of a focal point. Finish everything off with some new landscaping.

I don't recommend painting brick as you take a no maintenance product and turn it into a long term maintenance issue.

If you are interested in seeing some virtual makeovers of your home incorporating these and possible other ideas, check out my website, Creative Visual Concepts.

Would you mind adding a few more pictures from different angles?

I think the house would look great painted white - If painting the brick (and I would) make sure to use Romabio either to limewash or paint. It will last for a long long time. Regular house paint won't. However, your windows appear to be brown, and that will throw off your WHITE scheme. Can't see the roof, but if that is brown was well, then you're going to have to deal with that. It's not that you can't use white but try a warm white so it doesn't look odd with the brown elements. Perhaps @celerygirl can do a mock up for you.

Hi, I think I would find a designer and ask for help. Personally, I'm not sure I dislike the taupe color, but I would blacken the brown.

However, I would modify some things before I painted. Here are a couple of things that I saw that may help the overall appearance and maybe help you achieve a modern, clean look.

If you are keeping the trees - they both need to be shaped. For the tree by the porch, the limb leaning right may need to be removed. (its hard to be sure from this angle).

The windows with the wood above them should be finished off. I have put a picture of an option, but that could change if you are trying to be very modern.

I would change the vertical siding on the front of the house (and above the garage) to horizontal siding. The width of the vertical siding looks proportional, but I don't care for it in the upright position. I would also match the side of the house, but maybe it isn't necessary?

Something that may help the brick - would be to extend the porch floor and cover the planter (by the garage) and create a new walkway. Pick a complimentary stone or rock. During this phase have the mason create an elevated box to put 1 or 2 support beams for the porch.

Lastly, change the lighting for larger modern lights. It may help if you painted the ceiling of the porch a light color.

I think the combination of a large and bulky 2nd story, orangey and overwhelming bricks, and mismatched siding is causing problems.

Find a designer and provide them with your budget. It can be very pretty!