It's not ugly. I'd paint the utiility boxes to match the siding. You need some front landscaping. Mountain laurel ought to do well for foundation shrubs. If your grass isn't easy to grow, get a groundcover. Low-bush blueberry should do really well for you.

Where are you? What lake are you on? Maine is not limiting in terms of landscaping. Sure, you can't grow a few things, but there's just a huge range. There's a book, Native Plants for your Maine Garden. Check out the Coastal Botanical garden. Further, a good garden center can help you out. That's pretty much anything except a big box store (where I've seen plants that are for one zone warmer than the area the store was in).

I don’t think it’s ugly. I think you just need to soften the edges where the house meets the ground and find a way to cover the utility boxes. Maybe large rocks? A paver walkway?

If you don’t like the paint colors, you could go with a more organic green (more yellow/brown like the trees) and a darker brown on the rails if you want to change those, depending in their condition. You could also go gray or brown on the house. If the siding is natural wood, you may be better off with solid stain as opposed to paint (unless it has been painted before.)

The property is in Downeast, about 30 minutes from MDI

The problem with planting near the house is there is the septic tank there. Maybe I could do planters? I'm leaning toward a sage green and light beigh trim. Grass won't grow there and the house faces north so not much sunshine.

There are some septic safe trees and plants like Japanese Maple.

Think about your long-term plans - will you be there in winter? Where do you want the snow to come off the roof (ideally not over the entry)? Do you want to enclose part of the porch as a mudroom? Will you have someone plow the driveway and where will they deposit the snow? Then work on adding a welcoming entryway with a walkway and entry lighting.

The house just looks unloved - not ugly - to me.

Do you love the current colors? They aren’t beautiful individually or complement each other. The house itself is classic and the location looks sublime. If you are up for painting there are so many classic Maine camp directions you could go- dark brown body warm white trim, grey body forest green trim. Some of the cool kids where I am in Eastport (we put the east in Downeast!) do all black with an orange door.

Can you move the utility boxes so they are centered on the peak, then box it all in from roof to ground (leave an access door) and paint it the same color as the house. If you want to get really fancy, you can use stone veneer to make it look like a fake chimney.

I don't think the house is ugly and actually I think the color is fine. I like Sigrid's suggestions for landscaping. First, I would paint the utility boxes (anything that's paintable there) the same green as the house. Then I would plant some Boston ivy on that side of the house. It will quickly grow up and over just about anything and camouflage it. At the end of the summer you can just cut it down and it will grow back the next spring. (I actually grow it for the same purpose on the north side of my house where the utility boxes and wires are.)

Under no circumstances plant Boston ivy. It's non native, will damage the paint and siding--it's a clinger type of vine--and is not easy to control.

Waterfront property is a dilemma. That's the back in your picture--technically. I often wonder at the ugly side being what greets people in these properties. I see no reason for the porch in back. Does the sun beat that heavy at certain times one would retreat to the gravel view?

Hmm. I did overlook the fact that this house is frame and not brick. Give me 20 lashes with a wet noodle! Maybe you could do something with a tall trellis, positioned in front of the utility boxes but allowing some space for access. Or maybe one on either side of the middle window.

Agree that a lattice panel (maybe with a hinge for access) would help to hide the boxes - I would not worry too much about this side of the cabin, it's the lake that matters!

You could put out 2-3 huge colorful planters for when you are there and then put them away for winter (there are lots of creative ways to auto water planters when you're not there)

So cute!!! I would do one of the above to cover the a/c and utility. For the septic, you need to have the area for the lid to be fully accessible for when you empty it. I just have grass over mine. They dig it once every 3 years - the grass grows back. Simple plants, annuals and some perennials really won't bother it. There is grass that should grow in those really shady areas, otherwise hardscape it with stone or nice mulch and beautiful planters.

For the house - I really like the color, but if you want to paint, go ahead - just stay earthy. I would add a wider trim around the windows - something stained the same as the porch.

Do you park cars there in the front? Some sort of driveway ( even if it is just crushed stone ) and a walkway with pavers would make this more inviting.

Take your time - do one thing at a time then step back. That way you don't over do it.

Good luck! Enjoy that house!

If you're changing the roof as well, then you could go darker on the siding.