" How would you brighten up the space? "

Change the color of the siding, windows and trim to white windows and lighter siding and trim?

I love what you've picked, because it's a lot like ours. :) I would paint the door a bright color (ours will be SW Bora Bora Shore - obvs not yet painted) and use the house as a backdrop for a ton of colorful, native plants & grasses.

your house looks great! thanks for the advice on the door! I will take a look at SW bora Bora. Please feel free to chime in if you see any place for improvement. i am hoping I can put some furniture on the deck that will help brighten the space before we can start landscaping (next year)

House plan looks more like this with 2 garage doors instead of one and on left side windows are combined to one big window. our porch is concrete instead of wood. no stone on the front. front door will have one sidelite. no attic vents on the gables

We tried to do a mock up on Mitten site but that was a disaster lol see above photo

I have seen so many people use gray and then wonder why it’s dull and dark. Obviously some love it, but if you want bright and cheery, don’t use gray!

You are far down the road with your project, so can you add red? Maybe dandelion yellow? Put color on the front door, a big area rug, furniture cushions, flower pots, etc?