A relatively inexpensive update with big impact would be replacing the shutters with cedar or other natural wood, and adding wooden gable trim to the 3 gables in front of the existing vents.

Love your idea !

what a beautiful house as it is!! The idea of adding some wood features is fantastic

Do you not have a garage?

1. Do Not add wooden gable trim to the 3 gables. The style of your house is not conducive to that style of architectural ornament.

2. Do trim the hedges in front of the garage. If you keep them, do not let their height rise above the window sill. It looks as tho the mulched area there is deeper than what the hedge plants are taking up. If that is correct, add some low level evergreen perennials to the space, and around the base of the tree.

3. Add a planting bed that makes a semi-circle from about 10 feet up the driveway from the sidewalk, which continues its line across the sidewalk, then encompasses the mailbox. Can't see it in your pic, but possibly add a matching bed on the other entry side of the driveway.

4. RE Shutters: ital mover makes some good suggestions, one of which is to remove the shutters and see how you like that look.

Here's the thing about shutters: They are phony. It's been about 100 years since houses were built with functioning shutters [a glorious thing of the past]. Ever since, builders have thrown fake shutters on just about Every house, as ornament. Those skinny shutters on the double windows look especially out of place and awkward.

Consider that shutters are meant to be able to close, which means to cover the entire window; think how much window glass is still exposed, once your shutters would be closed.

5. Consider painting the pediment over your windows a contrasting color that you might also paint the front door. The suggestion to move the front door potted plants out in front of the entry is a good one, too.

6. You could also put a planter box [or shelf a planter] under the palladium double window.

I think you have a beautiful house. I would add lots of color in landscaping. I dislike the idea of adding wood features.

Remove the shutters. Your windows are placed relatively low on the gable walls and the shutters just emphasize this imbalance.

And definitely, as suggested, do some landscape upgrades. But, nice house!

Shutters that are functional are very VERY likely to make a big comeback if climate change is not reversed. People will want them to protect against violent weather and to provide cooling, plus for security. I live in Europe and would not live without metal shuttters on all my windows.

Agreed. Here in the Gulf South, we do use our shutters - often. If you go back with shutters, make them the right size and go with some color - perhaps a deep salmon.

It is a very pretty house. I agree with the others that raw wood would not suit the style of the house and that larger shutters would have both functionality and more visual impact. Your front door disappears a bit, so I would paint it a strong colour (this is a great place to indulge your whimsy) and move the planting urns out of the nook to the bottom of the step. I think a very cost effective way to boost your curb appeal would be through plantings. Add some plants that retain different colours, shapes and size of leaves throughout the year. Also introduce some plant shapes in addition to the current columns and rectangles, such as vase shapes and globes. I would extend the bed on the left side of the photo in a graceful curve alongside the walkway to make it welcoming. Plant a variety of leaf shapes and colours. Perennial flowers do not last long, so focus on leaf and just let the flowers be a bonus. Think of big round leaves, mouse ear sized leaves, ivies, a few globe shaped bushes, the red leaves of coral bells or a small weeping japanese maple, spiky leaves like iris or hakone grass. I would also add a graceful tree in the corner of the walkway on the right hand side. This will create a triangle from tree to door to tree and make the front door a focal point. If gardening is not something you enjoy, consult a landscape designer who can create something that is easy to maintain.

We removed the fake shutters and don't regret for an instance. Some of my neighbors have done so as well. House was similar to yours. Depending on the elevation picked the builder had them with and without on the plans. Our house was whitish brick as well. Lots of colorful landscape. Good luck.

Agree that raw wood features do not belong on this house. I, too, would either replace the shutters with ones that are size appropriate or leave them off.

You have a beautiful house as it is.

Shutters off. Shrubs under window trimmed way down or replaced with dwarf varieties of something that has interesting foliage and perhaps some color. I live in NC and dwarf nandina and dwarf gardenia would probably be the most popular option.

First thing I did when I moved into my house was taken down the fake black metal shutters. I have not looked back, best idea. I actually sold them online pretty quick!

Your home style is evocative of an eclectic Tudor revival/French Country, somewhat similar to mine. Perhaps looking at Tudor revival home photos will give you some ideas for curb appeal and foundation planting.

Add a curved walkway in the grass, from the street. Add a few signature trees like a Japanese maple and some Pistach trees for fall color. Paint the front door red!

@Amber Hartley

Eight days ago she posted wanting help. She has received much help. So, where is she now; why no comments from the author of this post.

lazidazi I thought that all your recommendations were great, except I happen to love shutters and would leave them.

Thanks, @L.

You have every right to love shutters. ; )

I just think that feedback from an author of a help-asking post is important. Whether she likes suggestions or not, is feedback to getting better suggestions/help.

Lovely house and "Ital mover" has great ideas. Yes, move those front door pots out from the porch. Also love the idea of the person who suggested adding a window box to the window between the garage and front porch. My only other observation is that the house seems unbalanced with the tall roof over the garage and shorter on the right. Maybe a good sized specimen tree over there on the right would help balance it out!? Also, I wouldn't add lots of colorful landscape, but more variations on foliage and maybe pick one color for flowers (white? or whatever color you paint the front door). Your house is elegant now, don't ruin that making it busy.