It looks like a Deck house to me. I would not change the siding or windows unless it's necessary. You if you know the date of your house, you can probably find examples of other Deck houses from the same era. Since they were semi-prefab, made from units, roofed porches that work on other houses will almost certainly work on yours.

A pity your removed your big rhodos, they were probably magnificent in bloom.

Is the siding in bad shape? I would paint the exterior of the house instead.

Didn't sketch the whole house but enough to give an idea. Give a little more detail to the railing, get eye catching sconces on the main part of the house (the other parts can simply be black cylinders), place a small bench and an outdoor wall decor.

@lisedv thanks so much! this looks so sweet. i like the outdoor lighting tips!

@CJ The siding is in medium shape, some rot around the bottom and woodpecker/carpenter bee holes.. our paitner says he can fix with bondo. so, yes, we are going to paint, for now.

The windows are 40 years old and have thermal and leaking issues. We will need to replace them in a few years. when we replace windows we may update siding, or stick with what we have if we still like it.

Get an overall plan for now and the future worked out. Much of it may depend on the roofing options you have. Are you considering a metal roof that will last forever? Certainly worth budgeting for. If snow is a regular event, consider adding a cover at the entry to shelter those arriving at the door. New exterior lights could be installed now; they should be 1/3 of the door's height. Charcoal and cedar could be a good look for you. So would the right green, and both could hide the mildew. If your railings are in good condition you might stain them and add cable in the openings for a new look.

@decoenthusiaste thank you so much! thats a great tip on lights. metal roof is not in the budget (though i agree would be gorgeous) but we were thinking an entryway with metal, or second roofline over first floor windows in metal would be nice.

We have a similar looking house, and it's stained a medium grey that works well with all the trees. The trim is a close color, but a shade darker than the house body. The deck rails are stained the same as the house. The roof is charcoal colored. The exterior doors are a bright color. You could change the outside lights to something that works with the house style. Simple can lights are inexpensive.

@P Banos thanks so much. i would love to see a picture if you would care to share but understand if not!

those light look great. we'd like to remove some deck railings and change others. actually change a lot of the decks out altogether - they are mostly made of sad trex.

In these pics you can't see the whole house, but can see the paint colors.

@P Banos looks great! thanks so much. i like the cohesive colors and the tonal trim. do you want to help me with my garden too? ;D

Another color to consider would be green. I think conteomporary houses can look fabulous in a nice sage green.

I realize this isn't the same style as your house, but wow it is hard to find pictures of contemporary houses in green.

Yes, the plants are a constant work in progress with the shade and the sloped yard and deer that devour everything. Once we got the pachysandra growing densely that helped. Deer don't touch the boxwoods. We have rhododendrons, but they are high since the deer trimmed off all the lower growth.

We had some rot, but the painters brought a carpenter who replaced all the bad boards. We've also had to do control for wasps and ants. Keep ahead of the bugs. Figured out we had insects when the woodpecker started on the siding!

When budget allows a more contemporary front door would be nice, plus change the light fixtures, and stucco the chimney.

Yess @lisedv this is exactly the direction i'm trying to wrap my head around. this is really helpful!! thank you

@pricklypearcactus that is a great color. love it, thank you!

@lisedv what article is that house from, if you can recall? thank you!

Your front door is somewhat obscured by the storm and reflection. But I suggest a modern door (nothing cottage like with little panes) to replace what appears to be a six panel traditional door. Embrace your modern aesthetic! Really like your home!

To: 80's Contemporary, I looked through Houzz but couldn't find that house again, I came across it while looking at discussions, it wasn't in today's magazine articles. So... I updated my previous sketch and gave color samples which of course you would have to look at on site.

@lisedv thank you so much :) :) lots to think on here!