I think you can either remove all the shutters, or put shutters on everything except the bay window. Both looks are fine with the style of your home. If you're keeping the same color trim as the house, I think shutters would be nice for some contrast. Stained wood or blue would look great. Don't put in window boxes on the uppers. They are very difficult to maintain and don't fit the style of your home.

I would remove the shutters, as well as the squat hedges right and left that appear to be hemming in your house. Consider extending your planting beds to meander half way down the walk on either side.

great idea with the landscaping. I think It is too busy. We might rip it all out and start over with simple boxwoods (low) lining the house and walkway.

Lovely house. You did great with the color.

I would leave the house shutterless for a year and see how you like it.. I like how it is right now, but shutters would not be objectionable.... just personal preference.

I like the Japanese maple: good color and interesting shape. But yes, I agree the lower landscape needs to be sharpened up.

But while you're contemplating, get some super splashy hanging baskets for that porch, so there's at least some color against the house going into the summer. Even cheap petunias would work, if there's enough light.

I have a white house and recently changed from dark teal shutters to white shutters. Yes, white on white, after seeing a house like that. I love the change on my own house. It would allow you to keep your shutters without having to add shutters to upper floors.

hanging baskets are on my list! Definitely think they will brighten up the porch.

KMK - would love to see a pic of your house, intrigued by the monochromatic look! at Least it would be an easy project to paint existing shutters while we decide on the upper level?

Tangerinedoor - you must think I’m very patient 😂 but you’re right, we should live with it for a bit before we make any big changes!

IMO almost all the windows should not even have shutters and to put them only on the single widows IMO will just look silly. I also woud think twice about window boxes especailly on a white house . I think hanging baskets all alont the porch would be vewry nice and look at some foundation planting ideas for year round interest .

I love white shutters on white houses. It’s certainly a classic, traditional look.

(Sorry, don’t know the sources of these, they came up on Pinterest.)

Your house is beautiful and would look great either way — shutters or no shutters.

Is the “rule” that the double windows should not have shutters? perhaps why we only have them on the lower level single windows (done by previous owner). What about having some additional trim work done on the windows instead? would that punch it up a bit and give the facade a bit more dimension?

Thank you, Jinx! Those are really beautiful. I’m really liking the look if white shutters or maybe beige/off white just a few shades darker than the house color.

I think it looks better without shutters. What if you painted a very light tan or gray on the trim around the windows?

I would not rip out the yews, but trim the back so that they are lower. They can take hard pruning that will leave then a bit bare, but fill in in time. Look to add some variegate and burgundy plants.

Love that your shutters ARE fully functional with dogs!!! I would keep them on the lower, porch windows. Don’t mess with your upper windows. They look beautiful as they are. No tinkering with trims, etc. I’d keep your shutters and paint them a light color. A pale taupe, a soft green, a faint blue. Or white. Very soft. Just a hint of color. Your home is absolutely beautiful.