I would limewash the brick to provide an overall appearance.

To install some type of canopy over the door you'll have to decide how much to pay. You could have a simply metal one custom made or a more elaborate construction with supports. $$$$.

Understood. We’ve talked about line washing for a while now as the front gable siding and trim under the window look weird to me. It looks like work has been done around the upper left windows, some of the brick has been modified. We’ve talked and budgeted for a portico but I’m stumped as to what would look best style wise. I don’t want to make it look even more hodge podge

IMO doing anything to cover the brick will instantly devalue that home what you n eed is asiding colr to blend with the brick

Regardless of planned work, the brick needs addressed if it hasn't been yet. The efflorescence locations shows that water is/was getting in the window brick sills and the top of brick at the gable transition. Both are common locations, failure of mortar/caulk at window, inadequate flashing at siding to brick.

For a portico, neither of the other houses have them. Check your local jurisdiction whether you can extend a covered footprint or even just a cantilevered roof. Sometimes covered porches/stoops are allowed past a building setback, sometimes only roof overhangs and are dimensionally limited extending into a setback, etc.

Showing similar houses was very helpful in showing variations.

Is the white trim around the door stone or wood?

What geographical area are you in, roughly? Some house styles are concentrated in specific regions.

the first thing would be to address the brick, repoint, repair as necessary, stabilize.

There is a lot of interesting brick work with the keys, etc.

Build a small portico. Paint the 'siding' not the brick. a similar tone to the brick, I would look for a rich maroon, burgundy color to unify the windows, trims and soffit. I wouldn't want it to look like any of the neighboring homes.

It’s stone or concrete. We’re in TX. I’m struggling with the idea of maroon siding with the brick because I feel like the only homes I’ve ever seen with that combo have looked super dated and rundown. I couldn’t find any good pics for inspo. Do you have any? Or thoughts on style?

We removed the shutters and put in new windows. I think some of what you see is runoff from where the old shutters were. Maybe that’s wishful thinking

Remove shutters (unless brick is faded underneath) and add a portico with the same angles and finish as your gable. Clean and repoint damaged bricks. Add a wood door or just keep front door dark red as you have it. A darker taupe for gable and trim would look sharper, but I see the back of the house is the light taupe, so stay with that until you're ready to repaint the entire house.

Note the open portico below has same roof angles as gables. The open frame is airy and light against the brick façade. Add a dropped porch pendant.

Fredricksburg Brick · More Info

Work on landscaping to better showcase your house.

I think it's a great house. I love the white stone around the front door. Because of that, I wouldn't put in a portico. I might put your house numbers in the rectangle below the upper right hand window. I think the slatey blue of the shutters is a good color for the siding. It goes well with your brick. The current beige is fighting with your white windows. Get the brick cleaned.

Your house is not a Tudor or colonial revival. You don't need to push it into any style. It has a few unique features, highlight those.

I’m looking for suggestions on window style for that upper left window, front door and some kind of shelter or rain protection for the front door. Seems to me a portico would clash or require removing the stone around the door. Would a traditional metal overhang look funny like it clashes?

What room is behind the 3 small upper left windows? If they are all in the same room, perhaps they could be removed and work done to insert 2 larger windows that match the existing windows elsewhere??? As for front door and shelter protection, I really like the last picture that Beverly posted above with the white house.....I think that front door and metal overhang would be nice on our house (but I am partial to that look 😀) Finally, as I am sure you are aware, all new landscaping will bring the house to the next level. Good luck!

You did say you wanted protection from the rain, which is why I suggested a portico. An awning might be less complicated. Do a search for "awning" on Wayfair, which isn't letting me post photos.

No comments on the window.

You need something to break up that brick field above the door.

ChatGPT is def not perfect but I’ve made the hamster wheels spin- unable to add a portico and keep original stone surround

Versus a portico

Similar to what @lindseybigelow showed. Note the fascia trim design can be matched to what the house already has.

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Burgundy siding will fade in the hot Texas sun. A beige similar to what you have now could last a lot longer.

The beige gable and the beige siding around the triple window provide a contrast to the brick that is oddly proportioned. Overall the house would look more pleasing if the brick were whitewashed to a similar shade to those sections, so those sections don't stand out in contrast. I like the mock up done by @lindseybigelow, and used it to add some improved landscaping.

Again, the proportion is "off" on your landscaping. The narrow flower bed and the small shrubs in front of the house are too small for the size of your home.

I would add some substantial shrubs to the front of the house, in a foundation bed that is twice the size you have now. It will balance the house much better, and "ground" it to the landscape. I just showed some generic green shrubs but you can add interest with different colour and shape of foliage. But the larger size is what will make a difference.

Partim thank you for the landscaping ideas! We have larger bushes now versus the picture from the spring but I love varying height, particularly on the sides- thank you!