It’s a very handsome home! Two first impressions: those teeny shutters look foolish and the landscaping (both trees and shrubs) is overgrown.

Fair assessments. I did let the yew bushes get overgrown. I have gradually been trimming down each season but it’s a process but they need to stay high at porch height to allow a little privacy for packages to avoid theft. But they do need to trimming on the front. Same goes for the trees. The hawthorn to the right def needs trimming, and the other shrubs could use some clean up. And yeah shutters are coming down regardless of whether I replace them becuase I agree. I probably won’t replace them.

I think a professional trimming of the yard, bushes and trees, including sidewalk edging, will be a big upgrade. I agree about the shutter assessment. The only other things I might do is paint the door a more interesting color and find some new shades for the bay that look better from the street. It's a charming house, it doesn't need much.

Thank you! Yeah we had quite a lot of depth of insulation blown in a couple years ago. It did help but not a ton. I don’t think we can do more. I thought they could just install foam board behind the siding but maybe that’s not a thing.

If your attic doesn't have adequate insulation, then adding it to the sides of the house won't do much. Blown-in insulation should be adequate. If you have adequate insulation in your attic, get a ceiling fan. You can reverse them in winter, so they are blowing heat down. A ceiling fan will be pretty effective at sucking in cooler air at night. We have no A/C and just ceiling fans. If we manage the curtains (to block light when it is shining in the windows), windows (closed during the heat of day and open in the evening) and fans, we keep the house a really comfortable temperature in the summer. Of course, we live in Maine and usually have a sea breeze.

But, even in a place with hotter summers, you can do a lot of heat management.

You might benefit from an energy review to find out where your problem is coming from.

Can't speak on the insulation.

I think the gray owl would be nice. I prefer a little darker color for a house. A nice blue or sage green would be pretty too.

I do agree with the landscaping - it's swallowing the house. You can get a nice porch box for your deliveries. opening up that front will be much nicer.

I completely agree about the shutter situation. I actually do really like the black trims. Hope you keep those.

Good luck!

Your photos are so tightly cropped it is difficult to be sure what would work best in your situation..but the back area seems the neediest for adding some charm…in your case a a pergola or shade cloth structure ….even attached to the house…creating a comfy outdoor living space ..in back…seems like it would be a more private outdoor space for family and entertaining..and a huge beautification of the area and architecture

Thanks for the feedback. We have a nice setup back there. This pic was old because I was just trying to capture the color and style of the house. But we have a couch and patio dining set, a big dining table and some Adirondack’s as well as an umbrella. It’s shaded nicely with trees too so very inviting(pic was not summer). As far as the front landscaping, yes, it’s not perfect, and I’m working on trimming things back. I was out of the home for a year that covered much of 2 growing seasons and it got away. Also waiting on city to fix the sidewalk where our large hell strip silver maple has upheaved the sidewalk before I get too ocd on edging. It does look a bit wild upfront but it’s not that bad in person, esp after I did some trimming and cleanup the other day. I think it’s the shade from our smaller maple and just time of day it kinda just makes all the green blur together. I also just sort of like trees and shrubs and variety. I have ground covers and such and I like that but I realize it crates a bit of a layered effect that isn’t as desirable to everyone. My neighbors entire yard is vinca and shade perennials and very “natural” so I sort of gave up hope on the manicured look for mine because the vinca creeps over. And the sun cooks everything in Denver so I like trees, even if they could use a trim. The maple in the picture has just been too young to necessitate a professional trim, but it’s probably there as of this year. The one by the porch is just a hawthorn and I missed the winter trim season before I realized how big it had gotten. Anyway, I’m at peace with the landscaping, but working on tidying up.