The arches look really heavy on the front of your house. This may be more than you want to tackle, but how would it look if you removed part of the stucco and replaced the arches with cedar posts and corbles? I tried to draw a beam under the upper porch to match the cedar posts. I drew in stone accents under the posts just to see what it would look like. It looks modern, but still keeps with the style of your house. You can stain cedar any color if you want to match the trim. I would make this change before I changed the shape of the windows.

Maybe adding arched top shutters on the lower windows to continue the arches from the porch?

No need to add random arches to the house!

I found this while searching hacienda posts and corbles. The cedar adds an interesting color to the exterior.

The brown paint shown is better than my black proposal for the balcony wood color. The house does bring to mind Monterey Colonial...which relies on wood beams.

Painting the balcony wood and garage door the same wood-tone brown would be a great economical way to add curb appeal instantly.

Other addtional details suggested could be added over time.

Shutters are very Monterey Colonial and would be appropriate for the exposed windows:

Is my updated sketch posting? Re trying...

Thank you! Yes, your updated sketches posted. Appreciate. I also found a summary of Monterey Colonial that was very helpful in understanding the style more.

I'm so pleased. It sounds like you're beginning to love your house!!!

Just a caution about colors (and I'm not posting pics because these are my friends): our neighbors recently built a brand new Spanish-style house, cream stucco and light grey/green/blue trim. I'll see if I can get the color from them – it's GORGEOUS, and it also looks very style-appropriate. I've seen Spanish-style houses repainted white with black trim, and they look fine -- but they also look like a mash-up between Spanish and modern farmhouse. I think the cream+blue or brown looks way better.

This is a stone and stucco column. I think cedar would look better.

This house could go either Monterey or Spanish or use elements of both. It's a blend of the two because of the tile roof. Classic Monterey is wood shake. The version of Spanish with the four very large Carriage Lamps is stunning.

Re: the left windows and that wall, the windows recede visually and are not really an issue. That's why no one addressed them originally. The shutters I propose would work with either style.

That wall does not throw off the balance of the house. The vertical rectangle is a complement to the horizontal rectangle of the garage.

If you take out the arch inserts in the garage doors, they will not compete with the arches, and the rectangles tie in with the left windows.

@Emily R. Is this the trim you’re referring to? It looks fabulous with the red tiled roof.

That green ^wow. The shutters I proposed would be fantastic in that color.

@redryder Yes! It looks so good. :)

Using @RedRyder inspo photo for the green front door and shutters. Brown woods.

I think it works. So fresh.

With white house and plus green post and beam on the balcony:

I love the green you posted, Red, and Emily’s farther up.

I’ve had this house below saved a while just because I like the green trim so much:

OP, I think your house is welcoming and wonderful and has so much charm … congratulations. Everyone has given great suggestions, this was a fun read.

"Climbing vines put out fine roots along the length of the vine that it uses to cling to surfaces"

This is simply not true. Some vines do stick to the wall eg Boston Ivy, but as stated above, Bougainvillea goes not. Nor do grape vines, climbing roses, honeysuckle, clematis, Akebia or wisteria.

Floral is correct-- but the biggest problem is the vine on the front tree that should be removed immediately.

I love the green trim. Please let us know if you’re considering it for your lovely house.

I like the green trim, too. To emphasize the Spanish look, I would replace the balcony railing with black iron and add black iron window boxes on the four windows to the left and maybe a long one on the balcony. Perhaps you can get a garage door with black iron trim.

LOVE the olive green for arched shutters, garage door, front door, rail and window trim. Love the suggestions of large deep colored wall lanterns between arches and each side of garage door. Think wood attic rafters by garage overhang and the upper porch might be cool but not sure it’s appropriate with your style home. A large cedar beam running over the arches/under the porch would break up the stucco very nicely. Love the idea of trailing flowers from the upper porch over the rail posted above. Maybe two Italian cypress in front halfway between house and street starting between first arch right of the front door and one between the house and garage. Exciting improvements! Good luck.

I love the ^ cypress idea. Olive trees in big pots would look fantastic, too!

I'm not a fan of the green, yellow and red combination for your house. I see the need for bronze, carmel and espresso trim and accents with a creamy white main color. Adding shutters will help, so would covering the brick chimney with stucco.

The front entry needs to stand out more. Bronze carriage lights and tall potted plants flanking that arch would help.

Your house has good bones it just needs a little updating.

I would go full on white with black and dark wood trim! An easy update would be to replace the railing to black/dark wood and frame the windows in black. more expensive would be to replace the windows with black ones, but that’s the expensive option! Do you live in the right climate for a bougainvillea?? I wish we did, I would have one in a heartbeat. Beautiful house!! I just think updating the color scheme is a good direction

Here's the house with green windows, white trim, wood accent railing and doors.

Note: I find a dark Olive Green is a richer colour than the paler green,

Please no black anything (except wrought iron railing, if there is any) for these Spanish style houses. The color needs to be "bronze" or dark brown.

Iron gray for the garage door and put retangular window inserts.This would be a updated element along with the black railing and black lanterns. Trim out the white window frames with black.

It seems like some people want to turn this house into a "modern Spanish farmhouse"!

For any updates use design ideas found in the classic Spanish Revival and Monterey Revival styles.

You can search on Houzz for examples or even real estate listings in the LA area.

And here is the house with all windows and doors painted green with white posts on upper veranda and a simple black iron railing (not as heavy looking as wood).

@chispa the OP did that and posted images of Monterey Revival.

There seems to be leeway in what color is used for the trim. These two are pretty stunning.

I love the blue tinged greens you've posted, Red Ryder... they echo the agave plants in the bottom photo, and call to mind Caribbean or Mediterranean waters in the darker color of the top photo. Either direction seems fitting for the Monterrey style architecture on this home. I also note that there is a more pale wood color on the shutters in the 2nd photo which I think would be preferable for any wood trim, such as the garage doors... to the visual heaviness of darker wood tones. It just looks "fresher" and doesn't fight with the color of the roof tile. Emily showed a similar wood tone in her first comment and photo. Also, for what it's worth, I like the idea of keeping the balcony in some lighter color as well...whether a wood tone or another pale color such as a blue green or cream/white shade, so that it doesn't appear so visually heavy that it seems to want to leap off the front of the house. Unfortunately, I don't have the software to be able to illustrate these ideas, so I hope I've been able to communicate them to some adequate degree. This home has good bones and potential. I hope you'll share the final result with us, Krista!

Here's the house in a softer green colour:

@lisedv - I think the shutters being a light, natural wood but the inside window trim being the green might look better. It almost feels like it’s too much green. The garage being wood is also a way to give it some interest.

Luckily, you know how to do the AI images.

I didn't put the shutter on because the comments were not positive. As to the garage door of course a nice wood door would also work very well. Lots of options, all depends on budget. I haven't seen any feedback form Krista on any of the colours.

Softer green windows and front door with light wood garage door...

Yes, lisedv, to your last image! That is closer to what I was imagining... it looks more natural, and the garage door doesn't scream for attention, since it is such an expanse of solid color. Thank you!

Glad you like it, it's a lovely house to start with even though the windows were replaced with more contemporary looking ones.

However, it would be nice to know what the owner thinks about all or any of all suggestions made by different people.

Thanks...I was thinking the same thing. In the final analysis, the home owner's opinion is the only one that matters!

The bright stark white? Soften it a bit. What happens to the white if one adds a SLIGHT undertone of green? Does one end up with gray or too much green? This last "rendering" (?), appeals to me the most. The garage door color goes nicely with the roof color. The green & browns "settle" the house into the background without having it vanish. I can now see the front door, the balcony is there rather than darkly overhanding, yet no longer looks like an apartment building. The "lengthening" of the 4 windows is the best visually. I've been watching those windows.

@Tracy Mcdonald... I agree with your assessment. Thanks!

It might look like a stark white on the rendering, it's difficult to get exact colours. But I would suggest a warm white, here are a few:

All: WOW! Pardon the delayed response; I was out of town for a week and just saw the last messages. I truly cannot express how appreciative I am for all of the feedback that was provided. We just purchased this house and this entire converation has made me really excited about our new home and all of the possibilities! I am truly grateful and will be reviewing all of this feedback as we firm up our plans for the next year. I promise to report back with our final result!

@krista I'm so glad you updated -- because we're all invested now!! hahaha

Congrats on your beautiful house. :)

Hi there,

Adding curb appeal to your home is a fantastic idea! For a unique touch, our mosaic art can be incorporated into your window trim design, adding a splash of color and artistry that makes your home stand out. Mosaic accents around the windows or even a mosaic house number can provide a distinctive, eye-catching detail.

Check out our store for mosaic pieces that can help make your home's exterior unique and visually appealing.

Congratulations on your purchase of a lovely house, keep us posted!

@Krista - I’m glad we have given you ideas you like. Let us know what you are choosing. And show us photos!

Big congratulations on your purchase of this great house.

Your home has great potential, and a few updates can definitely boost its curb appeal! Adding window trim can enhance the overall look. For your home’s style, consider clean, simple lines that complement the existing architecture. White or off-white trim can create a nice contrast against a new exterior color.

As for the color scheme, consider a fresh palette that includes a warmer, inviting main color for the walls, such as a soft beige or light taupe, paired with white trim. The roof tiles look good, so you might want to choose colors that complement their tone. Introducing plants and vines can add charm. Bougainvillea is a great choice for climbing over the arches. Also, think about adding flowering shrubs and small trees along the driveway and entrance. Ground cover plants and mulch can enhance the look of the garden beds.

I agree with Jilly, this is such a great thread. I love tile roofed homes, and all versions of Mediterranean/Spanish style homes.

I agree with @phassink. Re-configure the arches with posts. I would also paint the garage doors. Maybe a muted sage green.