I like the black. Intead of focusing on white "columns" that are not worthy focal points, the black columnns blend in so you focus on the house, the pretty front door, and the attractive brickwork.

Agree that the bright white is a little too emphatic, but I'm not wild about the black either. Maybe just soften the white a bit to a pale greige that marries siding and brick?

(I also grew the landscaping in a bit, which time will do.)

I like the white. I think dark colums would be dreary. I note AI has lightened the shade on the porch, to make the darker columns look better.

I painted the columns and garage trim bright white to try and match the window trim.

Stay with the white. The black craze is a splash in the pan. LET IT GO

Will suggest that you change out the existing columns for beefier ones. The columns you have now are a bit undersized. You could also consider adding brick bases to the columns to give even more presence.

Definitely white and I may even try and look at your home without shutters as they are not the proper size for the windows and the 2 and 3 wide units make it look obvious that they are for looks only.

Definitely like the idea of ”beefier” columns in white.

I'd repaint all the white trims to the gray of the roof drip edge.

Agree with most advisors!
Remove the useless shudders.
Beef up the columns and paint them a color closer to that of the gray roof drip edge,but YMMV.

Agree with the beefier columns in the darker tone.

Agree with @millworkman about removing the shutters. Also, the black door is dreary especially since the sidelights are painted black also. I would choose a different color for the door. Sometimes white is best.

Ok, thanks for everyones suggestions!

I decided I am going to try and match the column colors with the drip/gutters.

in the future I may ”beef” them up.

im down to 2 colors.

Steely gray

scattered showers

leaning towards the darker one (scattered showers). the lighter one leans blue in the sun as seen in the second photo.

the house gets bright south facing sun so happy to get rid of the blinding white and thankfully you all talked me out of the black.

Also, a photo of when we bought the house! Its been fun to make it my own!

Beefier is a great idea. That would make them stand out. Painting them to match the trim would make them disappear. Are they an architectural feature or a necessary construction item needing to be hidden?

I like the softer white version best.

It's not difficult for a carpenter to simply clad the posts with boards to make them more substantial and your rendering shows it is so much more appealing and I love the gray. Beautiful home.