I don't think the black/white suits the style of your home. I would not outline the stones either, that will just look spider webby not cottagey. Where is the door? I would it all white and leave the stones. Or maybe a pale yellow.

The inspo pic is not going to happen with your house .Think more like this and a color that is in the stone not white .

please not stark white, a very pale pastel color or cream would be nice with the dark window trim of your inspiration picture (but in zone 10 stick with a light-colored roof). Cover or remove the stone if you want, but don't paint it -- that kind of stone looks like the cheapest vinyl underskirting if it is painted -- nothing modern about that!

I can think of a few things I would do, if I were the owner:

Landscaping-

1. Stop any attempt at growing grass.

2. Focus on directing the landscaping TOWARD your front door.

3. Remove the artificial grass.

4. Consult with a landscape designer to develop a plan that can be implemented over time to keep costs down. People are often SHOCKED at the cost of proper landscaping. DIYing over time, using a plan that has been designed with an overall goal in mind, is key. Xeriscaping and probably shade plants look like the way to go for you.

House:

1. Paint it a color from the stone.

2. For the love of God, do not paint that stone white and then paint the grout black.

3. You can't even see your roof color because of the pitch, I wouldn't worry about it coordinating--but pick a color that works for your area if you need to change the roof.

4. Get a new address sign, paint your front door a fun color, any lights flanking the front door should be 1/3 the height of the door (yes, that big).

5. Paint the garage door a complementary color from the stone.

I would work with the stone rather than painting it. Find a nice tan or gray that you like. Remove the green rug and add some plants in containers. Find a good ground cover. Either one of those trees would look good in your yard.

Good luck!

Find a inspiration pic that looks at least somewhat like your house. Then, you'll have some idea of what you can achieve. White painted stone with black grout sounds hideous. Just don't.

More option

Honor the vintage and location of your beautiful house by painting it another rich color in the same tone family as the stone and replace the grass with gorgeous hot-and-dry lovers. Bay laurels! Aleppo pines! Lavender!

This is an L-shape house like yours, which you might add to your inspiration pics. Also, here is a recent thread for checking some ideas: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6215537/what-would-you-do-to-make-the-exterior-not-look-like-such-an-l-shape

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