I'm not sure what your question is. You are comparing the outside of the front with the inside of the back, which is confusing to me.

I think the curb appeal of the front exterior is very charming, so I wouldn't change much. Can you paint the siding or is it staying the same color? The front door style would be more appropriate for a back door, perhaps change it out to a six-panel door? Or a door with small windows at the top? I'm not wild about the trim colors on the door and sidelights. I prefer the look of a door and storm door to be an accent color, with the sidelights in a color to match the window trim. Here are some ideas:

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If you're keeping the yellow siding, you could do the trim in black, blue or green for a nice effect.

Thanks for your help Diana! I don’t love the cottage style, so the question is how to tone it down a bit. Siding is staying the same, and I like your idea about the door change. Your ideas are great—thanks!

Pictures of the back of the house also:

You could remove the shutters as long as the siding isn't discolored under them. I like the idea of a black front door.

If you paint the front door paint the storm door the same color.

Black garage, black front door, black shutters (or no shutters if the siding isn't discolored). Your request is hard to fulfill since you don't want to change siding, garage, etc. Heres a no-shutters yellow house with black garage doors, black front door, gray roof.

Landscaping is a good fix. Here's landscaping that is more geometric:

Modern cottage with low water frontyard planting · More Info

Here's modern farmhouse lighting that would be a transition between house you bought and house you wish you bought. The mailbox, lights, and house numbers are from Pottery Barn.

I don't see cottage ... it is just a traditional colonial style.

On the inside it looks like they went with a modern-craftsman style.

Thanks all! Obviously I'm not a pro at this and your suggestions are so helpful! The front door has the heart-shaped door handle like this and a big mail slot which is what screams cottage to me. I appreciate the sensibility of embracing what we've got--and I agree with that.

We love the house and backyard but everything outside/inside is so all over the place with style and design (90's kitchen with busy backsplash and granite, 2000's bathroom with mosaic tile and black/white, red brick patio, homemade tiled bar in the back room) that we're trying to have a more cohesive overall style, which is probably why I sound so scattered. I appreciate everyone who's commented!

I actually like the front, however here are some suggestions. The windows in the front and back are actually the same style, however I would definitely remove the shutters if you can. I would paint all the trim white including the side lights and paint front door and garage door black. If you are not a flag fan I would get rid of the flag as this gives it a very colonial feeling.

As already said about shutters / also the sidelights could be painted. The front door's X - how about a door without it.

Even decrease the amount of brick, but I think only of the accent plant's semi-circle.... could it have a less 'country garden' look that way?

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Not a pro. Possibly some plantings lean less toward cottage

Keeping red-dish, try anything red-dish: coppery COR-TEN steel planter / Japanese Maple

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Rockfellow · More Info

I love flowers too! but less, no forsythia / and try grasses, and even the buff-gold ones [siding blend?]

Rockfellow · More Info

Transition over --"This utilizes board-formed concrete retaining walls to form flagstone patios and a sand finished concrete entry staircase. Rusted COR-TEN steel planters with lively, modern plantings accent the outdoor spaces. Red powder coated steel railings bring a contemporary edge...."

Maybe unusual plants for your area, idk which:

Aeonium Starburst nestles against the Asparargus Fern. A lacy Japanese Maple stands behind

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Do you like the colors used [brick, etc.] - if you remove/change, you can still have that palette.

Landscaping can use anything red-dish: coppery COR-TEN steel planter / Japanese Maple

COR-TEN Steel Entry Planter · More Info

Nice Corten Tapered Square Planter, Corten, 16" · More Info

Metallic Series Corten Steel Pedestal Planter, Short · More Info

Nearly same color as on your house - says This metal planter has a "rusted patina" with a clear finish applied, giving it a smooth and shiny finish. The deep rust color helps add a *pop* to your plants you choose to add to it. Use it inside or out, as a wall planter, and as a modernized address sign for you house."

Vertical Metal Planter Box · More Info

I think you don't want a farmhouse look....

is your mailbox typical metal like this? tie it in.

vidaXL Garden Raised Bed Galvanized Steel 39.4"x15.7"x31.3" Gray · More Info

Thanks so much everdebz!! Great ideas

Just wanted to say THANKS to all of you for the ideas. Here’s a pic of what we’ve done so far (still to get a new vertical mailbox, and saving up for a new door). I like it so much better just with a bit of paint. Thanks!

The new paint on door and shutters looks great

Another update :) new blue door is in and I love it! Thanks again to all of you!

Love the door, I would paint the shutters the same.

I think the shutters and door are the same blue….nice with the yellow.

Oh, I thought the shutters were black...Very nice!