I think it makes the flat part of the roof look intentional ( which is a good thing )
I would maybe paint the window trim black

Congrats on the good looking house! It's got personality. Enjoy!

Yes we do plan on painting windows black. One of our summer projects.

Agree with black window trim, and consider replacing the shutters with cedar ones.

I think when you paint windows black I would remove shutters. They are not right for these windows. The black windows will give you nice connection to your trim color and enough contrast to work great. Add some taller evergreens to front landscape and you will be fine. Nice house.

The cedar looks really good and intentional — great job!

I like the cedar trim a lot. The only other “need” is to do some landscaping: small, low, flowering plants within the narrow edging, and grass, quality faux or real, from walkway/sidewalk to the bed edging. I have realistic-looking faux grass in our small front yard and it looks real, but dogs generally stay off it when doing their business (lazy dog owners!), preferring the real thing. The shutters should match...either cedar or black.

I agree that the shutters won’t be needed once the windows are trimmed in black. Yes to a lot of low, colorful landscaping to complement the neutrality of your house. Great job with the added cedar! (BTW - most of us need time to adjust to new ideas once they’re installed. You made the right choice but your eyes are confused.)

Love it and the roof lines! Landscaping will bring it all together and maybe add a large wood look planter or chair to the front porch.

Looks good.

I like the new look❣️ Well done❣️

Good job. I don’t like the cedar shutters ( not enough contrast with the house). Since you previously did a mock up, can you do one without the shutters? Once the window trim is painted black you may not need any. I agree with previous folks about landscaping which is the ”jewelry“ for the house. I like the idea of plant evergreen shrubs on the sides of the windows instead of the shutters. A garden center can recommend something that will not grow over the windows over the years and is suitable for your local area. Lovely home.

I wonder if the cedar would look better if the siding were not black like the roof color.

Before your sod grows in, pull your block edging much further out from the house, round it around the corners of the house, and add some curves. The shrubs need more room to grow.

Very nice! The cedar addition make your home look elegant, warm and inviting. Don’t change the color behind the cedar, as the cedar becomes lost and the visual becomes cluttered or looks unfinished. . I like the idea of painting the window trim black. Either keep the shutters black or remove all together. But paint window trim first before that decision. Every small change gives off a different look.

I think it looks ok but am not so fond of the black color. It seems a bit lifeless. It's a bit odd to see this sort of timbering on jerkinhead roofs (clipped gables) but you can't easily change the roof configuration. Well, actually you could but would be more expense. Would suggest changing your shutter to operable ones that actually fit the windows.

I think it looks good without the shutters.

Thank you all for your help. We do have shrubs and perennials planted and there is sod already laid in the picture it’s just dormant. Thankfully it is greening up now snd starting to look like a real yard! we have three indian hawthorns in the front bed with some Texas Sage in front and Mexican feather grasses. Then on the sides we have Hollies. They do have room even though it looks cramped in the pic. Going to try to take a pic with the landscaping so you can see what it looks like now. I’m trying to love the cedar accents, but not 100% adoring yet, although it gives character! We might paint the brick white (or lime wash) because the brick I chose (my fault) wasn’t as light as what I wanted once I saw it on the house. I think it will really change up the look once it’s painted and might need the black shutters then, but once we paint the windows i will also add a pic of what it looks like.

@Norwood Architects what color would you have done the trim? This is sherwin williams Tricorn black. The reason i chose is because I wanted the contrast. I actually wanted a way lighter brick, but I chose this one and once the builder had it up there was no going back. Thinking about painting white or lime washing this summer. also where would I find operable shutters for the outside windows? We are in Texas and I haven’t seen them around here. Thank you for your suggestions!

@houssaon thanks for the mock ups! Def prefer the black over the cedar shutters, but from your pic after we paint the windows we may take them off entrirely. I hadnt thought of going with no shutters.

love the black and the cedar.

any way to do the same black trim around the windows?

I'm 50/50 on the shutters. if you had the black window trim, i'd remove the shutters.

similar type of home so you can see cedar shutters.

You might think about doing a light wood door w/glass

and a new black address plaque. i gave you both here:

what the home needs is curb appeal.

flowers, greenery will make a huge diff.

something like this in the flower beds w/the black mulch

Here's another mock up. diff door, address options, some pots/plants, and the white light is for the porch ceiling.

black door w/top windows, and a lantern type of pendant light

I'd rather see brick in the gables, and this is not the best color, but I'd remove the cedar, and consider painting to match the brick.

Removing the clipped part of the roof would also help.

I would consider painting or whitewashing the brick...it is not the prettiest part of the house and will offer more contrast with the added trims...and also protect from discoloration around landscaping areas that may get discolored from watering

If you wanted to keep some of the natural brick..the center peak ..arched doorway and horizontal trim under the wood beams could stay as is

@btydrvn yes I picked this brick and then once it was up decided I didn’t love it unfortunately. We plan on painting white or lime washing this summer. I will post pics when it’s done. I agree with you about the contrast.

I also hadn’t though about keeping some of the natural brick, thanks for that suggestion!

The style of your house is so pristine.. that I would lean more to the “wash”look to soften the sharp edges a little more... definitely a flat finish... all of these changes will add a softer “charm”to the more crisp architectural aspects

The brick on your house is a neutral color that coordinates well with the stone on your chimney. You don't need to touch it.

I agree with Cedar door. Makes it a trio, which is always good.

Love the cedar you’ve added and really like the black shutters and brick color as well. Once the trim is painted, a little landscaping magic is all I would do

It looks like it should've been that way. The roof's 2 small triangles [angled upward] - are matched by what you placed in wood, etc..

If painting or lime washing the brick is in your future, I wouldn’t change the door until that is done. It will change the look of the house a lot. I still think the cedar wood pieces look good. Any bright colored landscaping you choose will work with a lime washed house.

doing the brick might be a good idea (I'd still find a way to do dark trim around or on the inside of the windows)

I really like the cedar and wouldn't change anything.

Avorio White:

or, go for more of the solid cover (the masonry finish from Romabio)

I like cedar but I would remove it