It is a charming house. The brick chimney with chimney pots on top add to the charm. So, I wouldn't recommend removing it. I would recommend painting the brick as that has already been done (in part) by the previous owner. I would suggest a much lighter color in a neutral tone and would paint brick and siding the same. Any trim I would suggest in white. Would suggest removing the small awning on the window on the left. You also might consider replacing the garage door with something a little less generic but do keep some glass in it. The railing should go even if you don't replace it but keep in mind if there is more than 30" between the porch and grade a railing will be required. Your landscaping could use some freshening up or at least trimming back. Would recommend removing the storm door if you can live without it and replacing your front door with something with a bit more style to it. Good luck and, once again, it's a pretty house.

I would look for photos of cottages on Houzz to get ideas for your new home. It’s quite adorable and can be more so with different colors and features. Some of the pros can tell you how to lighten the outside, but do not remove the chimney. If it is cleaned up, it adds character. Changing the railings, front door and landscaping will make a major difference.

I would replace the roof with a charcoal or a weathered wood colored one. I would replace the front door with one with lights, paint the white railing black and the trim white. I would paint the gable green - Raintree Green. Unless the paint is peeling on the foundation, I would leave it.

I would not get rid of the chimney. Don't see how you can. I bet one of those stacks is the exhaust for the HVAC. Last of all, prune some of the pretty bushes. They are getting a bit too big.

I like the brick. I think it's handsome. I would remove the awning, get a charcoal gray roof, paint the siding something close to the roof color, the railings black, and add a stained wood garage and front door. I would leave the concrete foundation the current color-they did a good job matching the brick. The chimney can probably be cleaned with TSP.

Thank you for all the input! It’s given me great food for thought and helped me to see that the brick and chimney should probably stay as is. The back of our house is all siding as the original owners did an addition in the 60’s. They extended the brick veneer on the side of the house facing the street but just did siding in back and on the side next to our neighbors. Would that impact paint color choice for the siding or concrete?

I should also add that we are doing a major renovation and will be replacing all the windows. I had been thinking to go with dark windows but may now rethink staying with white. What about painting the concrete part grey so that it looks closer to concrete color? The back porch will also get redone. We are opening up the backdoor to accommodate a multi slider and widening the porch. Need to figure out what to do for shade cover for the bigger porch.

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I still think a mid tone gray for the siding would work, along with a charcoal roof. You could do a sandstone color window that would match the mortar of the brick. I would wait on the foundation color until you decide on siding color.

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Love a navy colour with red brick, that back part would look good painted navy also

I would paint concrete and siding gray/navy blue, white trim

Inspiration for back porch perhaps

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A house should have a base, trim, & accent. Paint all grey, including garage (it should blen, not stand out). Iron work -
black. Ditch the awning in favor of window box. Pop front W/color of choice; red, yellow, orange/ coral are popular, sea foam,
blue, whatever makes you smile when you arrive home. Your home is your nest.

Oh, forgot... White trim on Windows.

Navy blue is my absolute favorite color! Those inspiration photos and visualizations are awesome. Thank you, Irene and Celerygirl. Kathleen, I like the idea to paint the garage the same color as rest of house and to pop the front door.