Before you bother having the tree trimmed and shaped, have a professional tree person look at the trunk and root system to make sure it is not invading the foundation.

agree. the tree is hiding half the house.

I don't really like the off white shade so I'd prob change that .

And the front doors, especially the color.

does your friend like a modern update?

this went from traditional to a modern look.

Traditional?

Revere Pewter trim color, black windows, wood garage door and nice landscaping

BM Kendall Charcoal for the trim and door color (and shutters for hers)

remove the shutters, limewash and go w/these colors

Brighter white trim, black shutters, a very light limewash (Romabio)

if she did the black shutters and white trim, it would look like this before shot. AFter, Romabio Masonry lime paint for a French country look

I like dark door from Beth H.

On this home, I think I would prefer a purer white rather than the creamy yellow/ivory you have. Then classic black or almost black green shutters and front doors. She may want to select the roof color first; those have limited options whereas paint is limitless.

I agree pure white trim and dark door and shutters
Please don’t touch the brick. It’s nice as is

I think a creamy white on the trim and dark gray on the shutters. I would get a new front door like Beth suggested with sidelights.

The tree was allowed to outgrow its boundaries. There is no pruning that's going to fix that.

Cut the tree down and reaccess the landscape plan.

Paint the brick, off white, thicker columns stained with stained shutters large front door with pop of color.

And.....a front door with side lights. It appears that there are two entries.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Beth, I love that front door! I will pass these on to my friend for discussion.

Although I hate ever suggesting it I would removed it. It is so large that it obstruct the view of your front fascade. Would suggest removing the shutters. Not sure if replacement would be necessary. The columns are rather spindly looking. If possible would suggest replacing them with columns that have a little more heft. Would also suggest replaceing the garage door with one that has lites (windows). Nothing opens up a flat fascade that having windows in a garage door. Would also suggest a crisp white for the existing trim instead of the cream color. Good luck to your friend!

That tree has to go for sure and please do not even mention doing anything to that brick. IMO the fastest way to devalue a house is to paint or otherwise ruin the brick This is a lovely house I like the first door from Beth and honestly you can ignore all the rest she posted not one is appropriate. The landscaping will be what brings this to another level for curb appeal and changing the garage door to one with windows and black

Agree with Beverly - The tree needs to go. And it does need to be assessed to make sure the roots are not invading the foundation underneath. Now you have a clean palette for beautiful landscaping.

The color suggestions go from white to dark gray to black. Hard to say without seeing the whole house but darker trim and doors bring a drama to the house due to the contrast.

I think @Beth H was just offering other ideas since the post asked people for anything they thought of. Lime washing this house will absolutely change the look - something the owner might want.

Garage doors with windows are a definite yes, no matter what else you do.

well gosh patricia, not one is appropriate? why? because of your opinion? gimme a break.

The OP asked for suggestions. I give people options so they know what's available. This constant whining about "it's going to devalue the brick" is a load of nonsense. Not one of those limed options is going to devalue. Why? because they aren't done w/paint. It's a lime application. Liming doesn't ruin the brick. it will patina w/the brick over time. Plus, I showed multiple pics of keeping the brick as is but changing out the door and the trim color.

I happen to think this is stunning looking. so much nicer than the stuffy looking colonial.

this one too. so much better looking on the after shot.

If stuffy, traditional colonials are what she prefers, then so be it.

The others are just options. If op doesn't like them, she can scroll by.

At least I post actual help and not "cut down the tree and ignore what Beth said". I already advised to darken the garage door and/or change it. So thanks for piggybacking on that. Perhaps you can come up w/something original?

If the person in this house loved the exterior and how it looked, then why are they here asking for advice on how to upgrade?

@Beth- the before and after photos are really helpful regardless if it’s not my friend’s style. It gives a homeowner an ability to artistically think of change in a way that I’m sure pros do without hesitation. It’s amazing what a few changes can do. Thanks again for taking the time.

Since a “magic wand” was in the request, I think completely changing the exterior with a limewash fits the bill. Another woman got a carriage with horses!

think the butter yellow is not that flattering.

I am more traditional, and I like glossy black doors, glossy red doors, or glossy green doors, the type you see on homes in England.

The trim would be nicer in white.

I have also seen brick houses painted a very subtle shade of sage, with the shutters painted a darker shade of sage, and that looked just marvelous.

In fact, Beth H might have shown that in another thread?

The tree should be addressed in some way.

A professional arborist and or landscaper would probably be the best person to say should the tree be trimmed or removed.

I don't know what time of year this photo was taken.

It looks like there are a lot of bare spots in the areas in front of the house, especially on the left, and they would be improved by adding more planting with perennials, and periodically punched up with annuals it the homeowner has the inclination or the gardeners to the work, or if she is planning to sell and wants to do the work.

I love plants with a little color, and if she puts in things with some red or pink, that might inform the color of the door.

If the tree stays, that's a lot of shade. Maybe coleus would work (depending on the climate), and it comes in marvelous red and pink colors.

Then red door would look marvelous and would look great with the sage paint too, although you could still have the green door too.

If we are really talking magic wand, I would consider a proper porch, with sides and a front rail so no one falls off.

I can't tell how much the porch extends, but I would like to see it extend out enough to be able to have a table large enough to seat four in one place, and two loungers with a table in between in another place, on both sides of the front door if the tree is removed.

If the tree is not removed, then just do a "porch" on the left of the door with a side to the left, because the garage makes a natural side to the porch there.

Unless there is a great porch in the back of the house, in which case, forget it.

I would make a pathway to the street from the front door, or in someway enlarge and curve the pathway from the driveway and swoop it around to encompass the sidewalk so if you have visitors they can get to the front door without walking on the grass.

If there are more than a few visitors, they won't be parking in the driveway, they will be parking in the street and they have to get to the front door and you don't want them walking on the lawn, and they don't want to muddy their shoes, either.

I don't understand those horizontal trim pieces over the windows on the first floor, can they be removed?

If they are good wood, I would save them and use them for something else, Good wood is so hard to find. Maybe a window box under the first floor windows?

And speaking of shade plants-

Caladium

Fuschia

There's more, too.

I much rather look at a tree than any house, no matter how pretty the house is. If it's not causing issues, I would not remove it. But my guess is the roofers are going to have an issue.

Good point about the roof.

And depending on where the house is, there can be fire concerns, too.

And what is there is a storm? Or lightning?