Your house is very nice. Have you thought about switching out the front door and the pediment to something less ornate?

In the back, a pergola over the lower deck area would help define that space.

My daughter has a federal style house with brick. She painted the exterior SW light French gray and the trim SW French gray. The original color was blue. Gray is a classic and would update your exterior, IMO.

Lovely home! - I would definitely change/update the ornate front door, I think that would go a long way

These are all helpful and realistic tweaks that seem able to make a difference! Thanks for all suggestions so far! can

I'd also consider painting your garage doors a few shades darker toward the color of the stone, so that they don't try to dominate the approach to the house. Some more natural plantings would enhance the front as well -- at least groundcovers below the shrubs.

Agree that a pergola would help break up the face in the back while offering a little shade to your seating, etc.

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And then maybe some more landscaping to help finish off the surrounding, whether in beds or planters. I'd be nervous about the edge of that brick patio, and tempted to put wooden planters that could double as enclosure and seating... (like this without the wall behind)

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