A few thoughts.

1. You will hear this from everyone, but I think it is good advice. Don't put shutters on a window unless they are large enough to do what shutters do, which is cover the window when pulled closed. 1a Don't put up shutters that are affixed in place and cannot actually be pulled closed. Since you don't have room for shutters, and they arguably don't "go." I'd ditch them.

2. I really like the new garage door. You can get the "faux" carriage door look you show in an overhead configuration but it is not inexpensive. You haven't mentioned budget?

3. The gooseneck light where you have it looks odd. Maybe over the garage door instead? The light that is there is to show off the stone, but since you don't care for the stone, I say its an odd place for a light. I'd sooner see 2 of those over the garage doors

4. The stone "time stamps" the home and I can understand you may not care for it.Personally I might try a trellis with ivy or something instead. If you don't light the stone, put greenery on or in front of it, and use other elements to draw the eye elsewhere, I think that will work better.

5. I would do tone on tone. Pick a white and then another shade from the same card or chip. eg..

6. Dark colors recede. Your door is already recessed. Consider a light color

7. Congrats on your new home!

I think the stone is pretty, Why would you paint it? If it were me, I would get a soft pale gray on the trim.

No to the shutters; the windows are not right for them.

I'd like to see the bushes on the far left of the house moved to the center under the small high window. Right now they are hiding an interesting detail of the house. If you don't want to move them, prune them so they are much lower.

You have an interesting house and the setting is beautiful.

Your house looks very nice as is. I’m not sure why you want to change it, unless it needs new paint because the old has gotten grubby. I would not put shutters on the house. They are out of keeping with the style of the house and the ones you are contemplating are too small.

The only two things I would change about the house are the overly outline trim around your big front window (but the HOA says you can’t change that?) and I would get a darker door.

But there is nothing really wrong with a house born in the 80s. Yours is nicely designed, and even though the stone veneer is just veneer, it it lends an organic natural touch that keeps the house from being bland and flat.

Good point, Houss, I'd remove the bushes on the left, and put the vegetation you added (white hydrangea?) all the way across. Repeating it will make the house look larger.

I like it mostly the way house is now; it's nice. I believe the stone adds to the house and would leave it. However, here's what might improve house front:

• change garage door to more modern (looks like you already thought of this)
• move downspout that's right in the middle of the house front or replace with rain chain so not so visible
• likewise remove or replace downspout to right of garage
• if desired, change mortar color (paint it) more brown? It seems pretty white
• remove some of the detail on column, which you already thought of.
• maybe add a band of the same stone about 3 feet tall under window in living room (if that's what the room just to the right of the entry is
• I wouldn't paint it super white but like the buff color as it goes with the stone
• plant shrubs at base of column to hide footings of column

The stone is unique and once whitewashed it can never (within reason) be returned to its natural look.

Good luck & have fun!

Have you gotten a few estimates for removing the stone if you don’t like it? Painting exterior stone can be tricky. It sucks up the paint when trying to do a paint wash coat to just slightly lighten. One teaspoon of exterior acrylic latex per cup of water. Stir frequently. There are other methods but a brush on and rag off gives you more control. It may suck the moisture right off your brush. If you add too much paint you get a Bambam painted Fred Flintstones house look. Your other option is to paint the house a lighter shade of the over all tone of the stone. It calms it.

Do a more winding colorful landscaping bed starting at the left of door frontal column wall extending out slightly from left end. It will be so pretty you won’t feel the need for shutters.

I agree with the above that the exterior light isnt right.

An off white gray house tone with Sherwin Williams Heron Plume trim would be pretty.

PS: Before you settle on a landscape scheme (and I agree on removing some bushes and having a new plan), look at pictures of Japanese landscaping. Your house is never really going to have a cottage feel, so stay clear of cottage plants. Look for gracious plants with structure, and don’t be afraid of walkways and beds that are geometric rather than curvy, and that compliment the stone and angles of the house.

Your other option is to paint the house a lighter shade of the over all tone of the stone. It calms it.

I think that is a super idea --- pick your color from the stone (it can still be very light), and it will diminish the contrast and make the stone less prominent. Take that color and paint the body, and knock it down 50%white for the trim. Or vice versa.

I like the current state - interesting with a little character - much better than what you are proposing - bland and whitewashed. I’d change out the garage door as suggested above and get a more interesting light fixture, maybe change both lights to different fixtures that are part of the same collection.

I’m going to dissent. 😂 I don’t like the current look, and totally understand why you want to update it. That dark trim is very bold, I think it looks great where you lightened it on your pic. The placement of the stone is just odd (I understand it is just a late 70’s architectural feature, but if you don’t dig a late 70’s vibe…best to make it stand out less.) Just get a painter who knows what he is doing. You could pick up some sample stone and try out different looks.

I don’t think lightening the house up a bit is trying to make it something it’s not…you’re just making it fresh and more current.

My house was built in 1988 and has the same basic shape as yours, except mine is larger, has larger windows,and is even across the front with no extended section on the left. Our realtor called it a classic ranch. I can't tell what your house has on the exterior except the stone. Mine is Chicago brick, I love the color and wouldn't dream of painting it. I fear if you paint your house you will regret it, especially if you paint it white. Any white shade is you choose is going to look lighter and brighter in the bright afternoon sun. If you're going to keep the stone, I would choose a color from it for the house and a darker shade for the trim. I don't think a carriage garage door fits the style of your house, either. Honestly, I think your house is pretty the way it is, except for the dark trim.

I think your house is very nice as it is. I would not remove or paint the stone because I think it's a lovely feature and goes well with the style of the house. The house has a MCM/contemporary vibe and I would stick with that vibe. Don't try to make it something it's not.

No to shutters

Foundation plantings is where I would start.

If you get a new garage door you could play-up the a-symmetry of the house. The houses below are much more contemporary than yours but the garage doors are interesting. I know some people don't like forward facing garages and like to down-play them but I feel the opposite. If your garage faces forward make it interesting and inviting.

I

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Just eliminating the brownish trim makes a huge difference. My last house was very close to yours but mine was a less attractive cousin. I pretty much ignored all the trim by painting it the house lower body color, the trim along the roof line was a warm off white. The upper body section was a shade darker on the same paint chit. I originally had stone on my chimney but it was crumbling and had to be removed. Anyway, this is what I did. I didn't add the landscape along the front for your mockup as I do not know your zone. i did lots of color. One thing that made a huge difference on mine was adding vertical shadow house numbers on the front column. I also found that simple more modern exterior lighting with a slight nod to craftsmen style worked best.

Note: I would go with slightly more of a warmer tone than is showing in my mockup.

Edited to add plants from my old house. They need some tending in this photo. However, your home would come alive with some colorful plants.

Congratulations on your new home. I agree with much of what has been said. Your home has character, just needs a few changes. You don't say what style you want, inside and out, but it appears to be more farmhouse. If that's what you want to do inside, that's fine. The interior and exterior design style do not have to match.

The shutters and exterior light fixture you're considering are a hard no. Stone work is not inexpensive, and many would love to have this stone on their house. I understand it might not be what you want (now), but it looks great on the house. I would not paint the stone. Painting the trim a less drastic contrast color (HOA rules sometimes need updating) will help immensly.

I don't know where you live, but removing downspouts completely is rarely a good idea. Moving the far right/side downspout might be an option. Yours are good since they take the water underground, away from the house. But consider changing them to round downspouts or round copper downspouts. Then replace exterior lighting with copper lanterns. The copper items will age to a lovely patina. Round downspouts do not require half round gutters (which are more expensive), but if budget allows, copper half round gutters then do.

Agree with new garage door. Add a light switch that has a sensor, so when you walk into the garage from house the lights automatically come on. They also automatically turn off when there is no movement. Find a garage door in your price range with windows across the top that match your house window style. Something like this (Overhead Door)

This one comes in four colors, including these. Your local installer should have samples for you to take home. See what works with your current stone coloring.

Sand

Cream - looks a tad yellow here, but maybe not in real life. Be sure to look at samples in full sunlight.

Match main house color to this and use contrasting trim color from same color strip.

Foundation landscaping can do wonders. Choose evergreen plants that keep their leaves year round. Use flowering annuals and/or perrennials for accents.

Agree with skirting the column base so it doesn't narrow down at the bottom.

Does the front door need replacing? If not, have it painted and decide later. Since it is covered, I would think it's in good shape.

I hope you will share progress and finished photos. We love to see them!

Agree with much of the advice above. The stone is not what I would change either. To my amateur eye, the column, garage door and trim are the elements that need simplifying. Really like @Jeff Smith's mock up but I'd focus on the landscaping rather than add the proposed band of stone next to the entry. All depends on your budget, of course.

Thank you everyone for all of the helpful advice! I'll make a bullet point style list, as it seems that most people have the same thoughts...

- Landscaping- I have always complained about those bushes on the left too! We actually have several areas of old bushes that need refreshing. My husband wasn't up for tearing them out right away, so I planted 2 dwarf gardenia (I can't remember the exact name, but they stay about 2'h to keep the from creating the current bush situation all over again), some salvia, and violas (I switch out our annuals there as needed). The bushes still need to go, but it at least provides some balance. We also have some native plantings around the column with ornamental grasses flowering California natives. We live in zone 9b with full afternoon front on the front, which can be a challenge, but we're figuring it out. I would love to tear out those bushes and continue with the gardenia bushes, etc. or maybe even add in some sun hydrangeas or something else complimentary.

- Stone- I'm amazed at how many people like the stone! I'm open to keeping it, but it definitely isn't something I would have put there in the first place. I can see how at a glance it may make my house look more MCM or contemporary in a way, but our neighborhood and all surrounding areas are ranch style homes. I think woodrose hit the nail on the head this one! I think this is the reason though why the stone really throws me off... our house is a classic ranch, built in 1983, with slanting stone that almost looks like it belongs in the 70s?! It's a little bit confusing! I like mtnrdredux_gw's idea of disguising the stone a bit with a creeping plant or vine. Creeping fig would likely do well here and could be an option.

-The light- Apparently it's terrible lol?! We'll ditch it! Maybe just two clean looking black fixtures flanking with garage would be better? Possibly something like this one?

I noticed the idea of putting the two barn lights over the garage. I have seen so many cute homes with that look and I love it, but I'm worried it could really show off the asymmetry of my house, which is what I'm trying to get away from.

Exterior Color- There's been a lot of question as to why we're repainting... We bought our house 3 years ago. The previous owners unfortunately did not take care of any dry rot and water damage. We have had to redirect many sprinklers that have been hitting the house for years, causing a lot of damage to our wood siding. We have pretty extensive repair that's necessary on our siding and fascias. The paint is chipping an old, and anyway I think it's time for an update! It looks like most people agree that lighter trim could help modernize our home. I love a good white house, but I'm not opposed to a light neutral and think it could look really nice if we do keep the stone. My only concern is that my house is currently a light neutral and I think the stone is pretty forefront in the picture (maybe my vision on that is skewed though because I'm so focused on it right now?!). Some other colors we were considering are edgecomb gray, collingwood, gray owl, or revere pewter. I should put some samples next to the stone and see if any of those pull a lighter hue of the stone. I think a nice white trim will really update the house though if we go with anything but white for the body.

Front Door- I would love to do something fun here, which I saw a few people mention. I also noticed someone mention that dark colors recede and my door is already in an alcove, which is something to consider. I'm going to start the search for a fun door color that isn't too dark. The Boothbay Gray found on this picture is fun!

Garage- Totally agree on the proposed updates! I don't know that it's in the budget to completely replace it right this moment, but for now I think we can at least switch out the windows to modernize them a bit, add some hardware, and paint.

Downspouts- You guys are so right... they're definitely not ideal. Unfortunately, I can't move the one right in the middle of the house That is my only section of gutter there and it's surrounded by windows. Maybe making it pretty with copper like some suggested would be an option though!

The Column- I get it, it's dated... I would love to simply it, or even put a pretty, simple wood column there. You can't really see it from the picture, but on the ceiling above our front door and entry we have wood beams that are currently painted. My husband is considering wrapping them in natural wood after we paint it to help add some character. A natural wood beam could look nice to compliment it?? I also think just going with a cleaner painted beam would be a major upgrade too.

Did I cover all the things?! So much to consider!

Thank you all SO much for helping us on our home update adventure! I'll post more pictures and updates and we look at more options. Happy 4th weekend everyone! :)

The Column- I get it, it's dated...

It's not that it's "dated". It's that it's not coherent style-wise with the house. It almost hints at Craftsman. Imo, terms like "dated" open up a money pit Pandora's box when it comes to houses. Makes more sense to focus on functionality and style cohesion. Why should every house look as if it were built in the current year? :)

My somewhat look-a-like house had raised panel solid wood interior doors and a raised panel garage door. I went with this style. I’m not suggesting this color but whatever you deside, go brighter. I went brighter here than I would have normally. This style lets the light in but doesn’t require pesty blinds or curtains as the windows are high.

It's a very attractive house the way it is, but I like your idea for the new garage door and the Vine.

I like your house and think you've gotten some good advice. I think your stone column is the crown jewel of your house! There are just too many things drawing your eye elsewhere to appreciate it. I would remove the shrubbery in front of stone column and at the corner of garage. Your pillar is fine-it's just the bottom area that needs something- an evergreen planting to hide the bottom part or if the same stone is available, use it to clad the bottom. I like the idea of picking up a lighter color from the stone for the house paint and would not go much darker with the trim. I also like Allison's idea for the continuity of window style in your garage door (as you have in your revised picture) just no carriage style hinges or trim. If you paint your downspouts (that aren't moveable) the same color as the house they may be less noticeable than the glossy downspout color. Some nurseries will draw up a landscape plan at little or no charge, hoping you will patronize them when buying plants.

I think the shutters should be removed, but not because they don't meet the colonial spec of meeting in the middle when closed. Narrow shutters are a style, not a faux pas. The style has been popular since the 1950's. Millions of houses are built in that style (waaaay more than colonials). So, there's nothing at all wrong with the scale of the shutters you have.

However, I think they look kinda goofy! There doesn't seem to be a reason to keep them, and they won't leave too much blank space when they're removed. In fact, the facade may look more balanced and fresh. So, I'd remove them, but not at all because they're the "wrong size".

I don't think white is a good color for your house. Also, I don't think painting the stone, having a climbing vine or removing it would help, It's an integral part of the front exterior. I would paint the house a very light gray and the trim a dark gray. Landscaping and painting the front door will help the most. And the lights of course. Like the one you show. I would also plant a tall wispy grass in front of stone. Keep it calm and elegant. Very pretty house!

Narrow shutters are a style, not a faux pas. The style has been popular since the 1950's

Hmm, that is interesting. This is a claim I've not heard before. I've always thought it became a "style" in the 50s because that was the Levittown era, of cheap, mass produced housing and builders just threw up what was easy and cheap. Moreover, the sources I've checked uniformly agree that shutters should at least appear as though, when closed, they would cover the window (inside the casing BTW) and mimic the shape (ie for arched windows).

Is this a personal opinion or do you have a source. Or is it one of those things that has been done incorrectly for so long it is now "accepted?" I would agree that the average person might not ever think of this.

Mtn, I think shutters in some cases are just window earrings. No function but are meant as an accessory .

The OP doesn't have shutters. She was considering adding them.

The "too narrow to actually fool anyone into thinking they're functional shutters" are nothing more than a decorative add on, a needless space filler really. Because they are not an authentic feature, I believe they are a faux pas most of the time. I remember when they could be purchased through the Sears catalog. Definitely a mass-produced decoration, not an architectural feature, and much better left in the 60s.

I mostly agree with not going the window earring route. However, every once in a while someone does something cute.

Yes i know she doesn’t have them and that in any event they would be decorative. I’m just discussing the issue of sizing and aesthetics. Even if you dont plan to button your jacket it should look like you can.

I have a "garage forward" house, and perhaps what you don't like is the strong statement the stone makes but only halfway. So it's a pretty big contrast between the stone and the other side of the garage which makes a strong out of balance statement. I'd paint the house a color closer to the stone so there's much less contrast. Painted stone is like putting tinfoil on a turd, IMHO. You could also cover the stone with siding that matches the pillar or some other siding on the house. The problem with your house now is that the garage is looking way too prominent considering how pedestrian that part is, with the entrance receding into the background. That can be fixed with paint and landscaping. But if you have your heart set on a white house . . . I dunno, maybe cover the stone with stucco. I just think painted white stone is going to look cheap.

Colorful front door will be a nice update too.

That is cute, @just_terrilynn

Mtn does have a point. Most undersized shutters do not look right. Here is my sister's house, as an example. The website I ordered from makes shutters down to the 1/th inch.

I know you know, Mtn. I was actually referring to tangerine's post, which made it sound like the OP already had shutters in place. 🙂

Now i want shutters on my house.