What does he not like about the outside? It's cute!

Most paint companies have an online paint visualizer (not that you'd use regular paint on brick. Masonry stain is a much better choice). I haven't found any of them difficult to use. But YMMV.

Is this house from the ’30’s or ’40’s?

I wouldn’t trend it up … it’s beautiful, no maintenance on the masonry as is, and is a wonderful old architectural style. Once painted or limewashed, it’s permanently altered.

I follow a lot of old home accounts on IG, this whitewashing and painting brick fad is going out, thank goodness.

Maybe there is another house that would be a better fit. Or embrace the original style of this house and focus on landscaping.

I really do hope it’s coming to a close, Jinx. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

It’s a nightmare.

You could add a bracketed canopy over the door, move or camouflage the AC unit, remove the shutters and try a move Tudor-esque color scheme on the trim:

Please don't encourage him to paint it. It's charming as is and even better without those shutters as palimpsest shows. Some lovely flowering shrubs and maybe a small tree would be far less costly and do so much more to improve the exterior than white paint.

I don't know why people immediately think "paint" instead of "landscape". Plants and flowers would do SO much for the curb appeal. The house is pretty as-is (love Palmimp's rendition to update it a bit) - it has charm, and is not cookie-cutter like so many houses today!

With the shutters removed, and they should be, paint may be the best option if there is variation in color behind them. These remind me of the home's style; very pretty cottages with a bit of Tudor feeling sans the half timber trim we typically think of. Check Romabio for masonry paints.

Modern English Cottage · More Info

Fairhope Cottage · More Info

Fairhope Cottage · More Info

Some accent color ideas, so many possibilities:

Now imagine every one of these painted (or limewashed) white, as well as nearby houses. All character, charm, and history of nearly 100 yr old houses erased for faddish whims. Some bad DIY jobs, some after hiring very expensive professional painters. Permanently, and with needing upkeep for peeling paint, damaged bricks, etc.

And exterior limewashing? Not one poster I’ve seen on Houzz can say what it’s like long-term. When it starts peeling, how often it needs to be reapplied, if it gets stained easily after a few years, and so on.

to Pal's list add landscaping and a chimney cap.

No way I would paint the brick.

It's a fairly attractive house but, yes, it could benefit from addition of an entry porch. Would also suggest replacing the garage door with one that has lites (windows) in it. A garage door that is completely solid as with this house presents a very flat and very unappealing fascade. Good luck!

It's a lovely house. I'd change the ftont porch to have wider steps facing forward. If he wants anything more, hire an architect. I've seen so many porches that are not the right style or proportion for the house.

So many great suggestions and photos. Thank you so much! Fortunately the yard is pretty much a blank canvas so creating a new landscape design will be fun and easy. I agree with a new garage door and removing the shutters. It is a very cute house that just needs a little TLC.