I might add that this is a flip and the vinyl shutters are quite a bit cheaper. Whether or not I will upgrade metal porch posts to wood is something I will consider once detailed budget comes together.

Is there a way to respond directly to your post RefRyder? Sorry, I don’t see that as an option and I’m new to this. At any rate, If I did that, what are your thoughts on staining the railing and posts and painting the door the colors in options 1 or 2?

If you can’t change the metal posts and railings, then make sure to scrub them and spray paint with black Rustoleum. The first door color you posted would be adorable. Stick with black and white. Can you post a closer photo of the railings, entrance and door? Is that a storm door over the front door? Is it’s not in pristine co dining, remove it, cover the hinge holes and paint over them.

Sorry don’t have better pics. I will certainly remove storm door. If not changing shutters could prob change out railing and Put wood around posts maybe. I will make sure landscaping is decent.

I agree with RedRyder, plus one more: if possible, remove the shutters from the large downstairs window. Even if merely decorative, shutters should appear to be able to cover the window if they were closed, and these clearly do not.

IF you can replace the railing and flimsy-looking posts, do that. Remove the small, useless, shutters from the big window. Clean the exterior (dirt is obvious) and clean up the landscaping of dead leaves and other litter. Thoroughly clean the interior, including the bathrooms. There is no benefit to removing the storm door. Just clean it. That’s all you need to do.

Funny, Hubby said top window is one whose shutters should be removed.

You could also remove the shutters and paint the window trim black. I like the Julep...yellow is another option for the door. It can work well with black and white.

Shannon, the top shutters appear to be in proportion to the window somewhat (shutters too wide on top window). The bottom shutters are completely wrong - much too skinny and cheap looking. If you can't put in the right shutters, then remove.

Example below. It's supposed to look like they can actually function (close over window) even if they are just decorative.

Restored Eating Club · More Info

Yeah my thought was the bottom ones need to be wider. I like shutters even if their only function is ornamental but only if right color.

I like the painting the trim black look but I read that it only works if you have no window treatments....which is not practical.

If you are flipping, you get a good return on your money by having appropriately sized shutters IMO. No one will be able to pinpoint why but it will feel better to the buyers when they see proportional shutters (there are so few done right except in more expensive areas). However if you simply don't have the funds for this flip to do right, then remove all the shutters like chloebud mentions. The buyers won't notice missing shutters (most don't anyway) and they can do it after purchase. It's the wrong size shutters that draw negative attention, not missing shutters.

Vinyl shutters are not expensive so I wouldn’t mind that. But, what color? I really don’t like the white and black look.

The problem with vinyl shutters is usually the sizing.

You can get them virtually any size and I would choose mine appropriately.

"I like the painting the trim black look but I read it only works if you have no window treatments."

Window treatments meaning the shutters? I meant they'd be removed.

A couple examples...

Window treatment meaning curtains/blinds. I have seen pics where it does look odd when the exterior trim is highlighted and it makes window treatments inside that you see through the windows look bad, especially at night when lights are on. Actually, as I write this, that doesn’t make sense, lol. The designer who wrote the article had me convinced at the time. Of course, I could always leave that design dilemma to the new owners.

In the pics you posted, you see the top one without window treatments does look better. But, the second pic doesn’t look bad.

"I have seen pics where it does look odd when the exterior trim is highlighted and it makes window treatments inside that you see through the windows look bad, especially at night when lights are on."

Sorry, not a clue what that means...??? I'm not a pro, so maybe one of them can help clarify. My sister's house is white and her windows are all trimmed in a dark green color. Though different materials (plantation shutters and drapes), her window treatments are all white. Not a problem there.

Oh never mind. Found the article. It addresses cons of black interior window trim and exterior black window grills only. Yeah, I think I’m going to consider painting them black and removing shutters. Thanks so much for suggestion:-).

If you're doing shutters, black is the ONLY colour to consider for this flip. Classic. Timeless AND on trend right now. Agree with all that suggest doing something with the flimsy porch railings and supports. This screams "added-on in the 50s", and it in no way relates to the architectural intent of the rest of this house. It will only be a plus if you make it one.

Also agree that the first priority on this flip is to make sure potential buyers are intrigued enough to even look inside. Landscaping!

For a small faux victorian i think color is essential...and nothing is going to make the metal railings look right...they should be replaced even if it is a simple wood rail and posts with a little detail...painted white to match the house...there is a little soffit detail that will be more apparent if color was added there as well...all the talk about shutter size is a little overkill as it wont affect the “cute “ factor any more than just painting them a pretty color..a cute stepping stone or pea gravel walkway to the porch...lined with a few flowers or greenery...will “invite “ people to come in .......mainly...just being sure the facade looks clean and freshly painted will allow any buyers to assume it is just as cute inside

A little spray paint on the “concrete foundation?” Would spruce it up a bit,too

Maybe an inspirational image. That gable over your porch is just too low of a pitch.

Wow, it sure does look different with a different color of shutters and with the bottom ones being wider! I think it may be too much wood with both posts and shutters but this is helpful.

Beverly, what would think of brown wood shutters and wood porch posts/railings painted white? Julep door. Or do you think painted shutters with brown wood on porch?

I'm not crazy about the wood shutters on your house. They seem a bit casual. IMO the metal supports should be replaced with something more substantial.

I think so too. Do you think different color of vinyl shutters or no shutters and paint window trim black?

What about painting the trim grey, the porch railing wood white and splurging on a new brown front door?

I think your priority needs to be appeal to buyers. Once you start doing colors, you change the “cute farmhouse” appeal. Change the metal posts to new wood ones and paint them white. If shutters are desired, go with black ones. Otherwise, paint the window trim black and remove the shutters. For resale, there shouldn’t be any window treatments in the house to allow sunlight to come in. Clean up the walkway and landscaping. You need to use your money to get the house sellable, which means adorable and inviting. It has great lines and will appeal to a lot of buyers if cleaned up. Keep your own design preferences out of the equation. It’s a flip, not your house.

I REALLY appreciate the advice!! This app is great:-).

You’re required to keep us posted!

Will surely do so:-)

Sorry but one last idea. I should have stated that I already plan on power washing and sprucing up landscape. So, what if I change the railing/columns to wood and paint white, paint door like a bright rust color, leave shutters as is, and paint window trim light grey? That would at least warm it up a bit so it’s not such a stark, colorless contrast for an old house.

IMO the white paint on new posts is a good idea. The shutters are not the right size, which is why you need to replace them with the right size or remove them. If you do the window trim, black is the best choice. Grey could look light a failed attempt. Any bright, contrasting color will work for the door once the palette is white and black (which is a classic farmhouse color scheme). I don’t see b&w as colorless. Have you talked to any realtors about this house since you’re planning to sell?

This is what I had in mind but a lighter gray.

T