that's a whole lot of brown. painting the thin window trim won't do a darn thing. you can barely see the trim!

It's a nice house w/beautiful greenery.

I'd bring in some cedar posts to lend some warmth and natural contrast w/all of that green.

you see how they've done it here?

here's yours w/just the posts and darker windows to mimic darker trim.

here I've brought in some shutters w/your window boxes, cedar posts and a newer door/light

You could also do cedar shutters to match the cedar posts.

w/this option, you could go w/a darker color on the shake

I would still paint or stain that shake. depending on what you decide w/the windows/trim.

Or perhaps do the lower siding in a darker tone. mixed w/the cedar posts and the green, it would look very nice.

Thank you!!! Love the cedar posts. Do you think I could paint the window boxes to look like cedar to tie it in? I’m usually not a fan of shutters but I do know what you mean. Hmm I’ll have to chew on it

I like the posts and IMO get the boxes made out of cedar lined not paited to look like cedar and IMO no shutters they clutter up waht looks like a nice house.. A good power wash might be in order . Is this the back or front of the house since I see a slide and some seating. I think more landscaping to have much bigger plantings would be a nice balance to the house .

I don't think I would do a brown roof and tie myself to even more brown once you decide to paint the house.

I like the cedar posts and windowboxes. Keep the window box fillers attractive for the whole year (evergreen clippings look great during winter months). No shutters.

The tree against the left corner of the house could benefit from a light pruning/shaping. The four overgrown bushes to the right of the front door along the porch could be replaced by something smaller that better matches the scale of the landscaping to the left of the door.

Consider a warmer green for the front door and maybe paint the porch’s chairs to match.

Thanks everyone! This is the front of the house. I dig out all overgrown bushes in the front last year except the 4 to the right of the door in order to leave some height backdrop to the new plantings. This picture doesn’t include the landscaping we’ve done since, but yes there are many more plants in the garden now!

You have a beautiful wooded setting so the brown siding fits in very well. Here are some inspiration photos:

Timberframe Lake Escape · More Info

My Own House · More Info

Rustic Exterior · More Info

Country Retreat · More Info

Beaver Dam Residence · More Info

redid it w/o shutters and lighter cedar boxes

I still think the shake color is pretty blah. In the picture it looks like a nude/mauve tone. I don't know if a power wash, or applying a new stain-top coat would alter the tone, but I'd go for a diff shade.

Sorry but I think the window boxes are a distraction, feel cramped, do not fit the architecture so I would remove the two that are there and not have boxes at all.

The house is fine as it is now. New cedar posts will make the everything else look dull in comparison. And no shutters.

I would open up the landscape in front a bit.

Thanks everyone. I agree the shake is blah. Our plan is to paint it sherwin Williams black fox, do cedar posts, window boxes on all windows (sorry tracefloyd, I’m kind of a maximalist when it comes to gardens!) and new roof. Here are two mockups via AI, one with cedar boxes, one with darker painted boxes.

I would do a green architectural shingle roof. I am not a fan of window boxes and the work needed to maintain them. Cedar posts for sure would look good.

You say you are a maximum gardener - have you done window boxes before? I am also an extreme gardener but I find window boxes to be a big PITA. Never again for me.

I agree you need some contrast. Instead of shutters, how about widening your window trim? Paint the new trim dark like in one of Beth’s examples.

As far as landscaping, I agree that too much is simply too much. The deep-colored tree on the left is overgrown; maybe raising its umbrella would help. I don’t think I would have anything right in front of the porch taller than 24”. All those shrubs, combined with the dark color of the house, contribute to a foreboding feel. On the other hand, short bright white or yellow flowers would add life and light.

Please post a photo of your house now that shows the landcaping changes you made last year that aren’t shown in the photos in your OP. The landscaping is as important to your house‘s appearance as thr changes you propose to make.

You said you left the 4 overgrown bushes to the right of the front door for ”height”. Those bushes should come out as they are too tall, unattractive and aren’t bush types that will rejuvenate with hard pruning.

Your property will look great with naturalistic landscaping. But the overgrown landscaping in the posted photos closes the house in. It doesn’t complement your attractive house and the facade changes you plan as well as it can.

Agree the 4 overgrown bushes need to go but I am wondering how do you get to the front door? Do you have to walk across the lawn?

I would widen the path to the door and extend it out to the street or driveway, wherever guests park so they arent walking over wet grass.

Now that you've decided to paint, your first rendering with the whole house in Charcoal and the bulked up Cedar posts and the black front door is magnificent.

I would remove the hedge to show off the posts.