Why would you want to convert this long-lasting and low-maintenance finish into something that has to be repainted every few years forever and compromises the surface? This is very nice-looking brick, and it fits perfectly with a traditional style. Leave it alone and be glad you have it!

I'd go with something bright for the front door, like a deep blue or a cranberry or a loden green.

Hello, here's an interesting article that has some photos of houses with different front door and brick colors https://gambrick.com/front-door-colors-for-brick-houses/

Great house. The brick is really nice and adds interest. It can also add value to the house. A door with glass that mimics your windows would be nice.

Since you mentioned "face lift," make sure the shutters are sized correctly. Each shutter should be half the windows width. Hard to do on double windows.

Kathryn, you have two posts going on this same topic. Why do you not want to stick your original?

Makes me kinda grumpy as you have discarded my suggestion (although you liked it).

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6016983/help-with-exterior-paint-colors

If Houzz didn’t want people to post on multiple boards to get ideas from different angles, they wouldn’t allow the function. Perfectly legit to do so. 🌈

duplicates posts is not the same as one post on multiple boards.

If you use a product like Romabio, you won't have the maintenance as someone else mentioned.

it has a 20 year guarantee. it's natural and would only need slight touch-ups. perfectly fine for the brick too.

This is a before and after of the same house using Romabio. quite a diff.

the style above^, is similar to yours. they completely changed the look of the home, and painted the brick.

Ditto w/this one. love the copper roof on the portico. painted brick to white

Romabio also has a masonry paint (as opposed to the Classico) that you can tint to any color.

on this one they went w/gray brick and gray siding,

no paint here, but they did change the roofline

don't know if you're considering doing a roof across the siding portion. it would give you the benefit of a nice long porch, like this one

arbors on either side are nice

darker windows and darker brick, but instead of siding, try a board/batten, cedar composite siding, or a stucco

@JudyG - I realized after I posted that we might not be able to paint the siding so I recreated for feedback on just painting brick. I also switched topics. I appreciate your comments!

Beth H: Thank you thank you thank you!! So many amazing before and after pics to analyze. I’ll need to review these in detail tonight.

@Acm - Do you really like the brick? Now I’m second guessing myself. I suppose we don’t have to change it. I was thinking we would need to change up the paint to accommodate a new portico...I can’t envision how it would look to add a portico to this existing exterior. Attaching a pic of a portico we really like.

I like the brick. Unpainted. It has character as is. I'd consider removing the shutters or getting new ones that would look like you could actually use them over your windows. Paint the front door a bold color which appeals to you.

@chloebud - Thank you for your tips! I’m rethinking the bricks at the moment. 🙃I’ll measure the shutters. Thank you also for the tip about the door matching the windows! Would you recommend the same for the side panel/strip of windows immediately next to the door?

kathryn, decide what you like.

To me, it's just brick. it's not some vintage brick from 120 years ago, it's simple used brick.

you know what's great about the Romabio? You have 72 hours to decide if you like it.

Get a sample of the Classico and try it on the side or something. If you don't like the looks, squirt it off w/the hose.https://romabio.com

A change I would make is to add on an overhang. For guests waiting to be admitted during rain, or for you as you fumble for your keys.

I would keep the brick and add a portico. Make it the same style as the trim around the door but wider and taller.

@artemis_ma : Yes we actually have to add something as the current set-up has allowed for major water damage to the foundation. Just trying to imagine what it could look like. We found a picture of a portico we liked which sent us down the path of repainting. Any ideas for what might look good for an overhang?

Your classical urn pediment door surround looks a bit goofy with the beige attempt at a patch behind it. I would rethink the style of the entry and lantern lights, as well as the shutters which I might just remove. Romabio would be the way to go if you want to unify siding and brick. Here are a couple of unified paint colors on siding and brick; they look pretty nice to me.

Colonial Style Home Evanston, IL in James Hardie Siding & Trim · More Info

James Hardie Homes · More Info

Here's a way you could modify your porch by wrapping the roof around to the front.

View from the Front · More Info

soulless flip specials?"

um, ok. nothing like a bit of drama.

some of the others were posted because she asked about diff entry way styles. some were posted so she could see how they look w/siding/painted brick.

instead of just criticizing, June, why not actually post examples? so easy to say, "do the landscaping" or 'the brick is the best part".

if it was the best part she wouldn't be here asking for changes.

Give examples.

"@chloebud - Thank you for your tips! I’m rethinking the bricks at the moment. 🙃I’ll measure the shutters. Thank you also for the tip about the door matching the windows! Would you recommend the same for the side panel/strip of windows immediately next to the door?"

That would be my choice for the sides.

Just wanted to say some brick isn't so great and could benefit from a change. Your brick does not fall into that category IMO.

As for the door, ignore everything in this photo but the style with the glass panes in the door and sidelights. Something with grids that mimic your windows.

@Chloebud - Thank you so much!! This is so helpful!!

well I guess i'm in the minority because I think the brick (while fine) could also be great if it was done w/something like the pics I've posted, or even like this

With a nice wood door, some new lights, landscaping.

But, here are some color combos that work w/your brick. I like Urbane Bronze or Iron Ore for a darker contrasting color

@Beth H: THANK YOU so much!! This is super helpful. I think the Rustic Brick and the Fired Brick are appealing. What color fixtures would you suggest with those colors?

DO NOT paint the brick unless you want to instantly devalue your house but if you like that traditional feel this is one of my favorite looks with brick and could work well with your home.

BTW remove all the too small shutters if you want them they need to look like they could cover the windows

I think you could a copper finish, like this rustic darker copper:

ORB, antique brass, or even a black.

get a new address plaque

I would repaint some of the trim, or the fascia (or trim around the windows) in a darker color (the ones listed on the last pic I posted)

here is a door painted SW Iron Ore. looks great w/your brick

or maybe when you redo your portico, have some natural cedar or redwood used, stain it a darker tone, and go w/that. would basically be these two tones together.

To me this bright white against your brick and siding really doesn't fit in. If you pair the dark tones with more of a creamy white, it would look better w/your brick color

here's a warmer brick, similar to yours, with no white anywhere. I love it.

bring in color w/your landscaping. redo the flower beds w/colors that enhance your brick

and should you ever decide to lime wash, it's not going to 'devalue' your home! lol. I mean, seriously? using the correct products will enhance so that your home doesn't look like every other home in the neighborhood. your choice

Doing a very light lime wash, paired w/other choices that fit the coloring/style, give you a whole new look

but if you want to stick w/paint, and are thinking of that patina green shade, pick something on this end of the spectrum

found a combo w/your color brick. they have it paired w/this brown stain color on the shingle roof (but if you did any type of wood, this stain color would work)

and the 3 paint colors. no white.

@Beth H - Thank you SO much for taking the time to send these options over. I am printing these out so we can review your notes and pictures on our planning board. A previous commenter mentioned loden green for the door; what do you think of that color? I think we’re deciding between that color and iron ore. If we did loden green, what color trim would you recommend? And do the shutters have to be the same color as the door/trim? LOVE LOVE the idea of wood for the portico. I’ll do some searches to see how this looks but I’m imagining it will be gorgeous. I cannot thank you enough for your recommendations and mock-ups to help visualize. 🙏

i have no idea what loden green looks like.

you'd have to get some samples and see how they look in your lighting next to your brick.

and it would depend on the type of door you get.

put some ideas together and see what you like

I'm thinking this color wood. a rich cedar color. and the door is beautiful too.
Love this warm, rich brown w/the windows and even the transom.

I hope your not doing any colonial accents on the new portico.

copper accents. maybe all the hardware, lights, down spouts, etc

paired w/the dark trim like they've done on this home. (looks like Iron Ore, or also look at Wrought Iron)

look at this brick. see how much better that down spout and trim would look in the copper color?

or even a dark bronze

coordinate your mulch to match your brick and bring in warm color plantings

with soft greens and oranges.

Agreed with Beth love the wood and white wash idea