It's so monochromatic. Too matching? Different browns? Red? Blue? Green?

Have you seen our work on houzz? idea page. The stone weights the house to one side and your right it's monochromatic. Go to Sherwin Williams a pick there exterior color combinations you'll get good inspiration from those, they are categorized by style, colonial, modern, historic, and more .Take a few home to find your personal style.

Landscaping can change curb appeal for minimal cost. I'd suggest bright flowers or bushes under the front windows to add a pop of character. If you have the budget, changing the siding and/or trim would make a world of difference, too. Good luck!

I Would suggest to white out the house and add curved shutters to match arch-entry, of course some beautiful round box woods, flower box under the three windows and last but not least plant ivy around walk way curve. The blue spruce seems to have taken over the front yard, what do you think about having it removed? Realize this is very simple and very traditional....keeping cost down, so you can update the inside.

I'm not opposed to taking out the spruce. I do, however, like structure of the cherry tree. And yes, it is begging for bright flowers. Rhododendron?

Are you ant closer to a choice from all theses wonderful suggestions? It's always difficult when it comes to our own houses isn't it.

I would suggest going back to the original modern 70's look as it was intended. New cedar or Ipe siding ...stained...not painted pink. Change roof color as well. Acid wash driveway and add new landscape. Example below.

Good Luck!

I'm no help on colors because I am in the same boat, lol. But I would trim that cherry tree so that none of the branches touch the house (Maybe they are not touching, but they look like they are in the pic). This will help prevent bugs from crawling from the branches in and around your home. Good luck on your color choices!

Look at some of the houses designed by Greene & Greene for for ideas to change the exterior details and for color schemes.

Here's your house in deep grey, which I think helps bring it up to date, and ties the stone portions together well.

I like the deep gray against the stone, but am not sure that it goes with the roof color.

Hey there - I'm thinking more modern is your best bet. The stone provides you with some unique opportunities and then the fabulous late 60's early 70's archways (triple side dose!) can be funky and fun. Anything that isn't a risk just makes the architecture look dated, where if you play with it . . you could be wowsa. The gold / orange tone could translate into a fun front door in a citrine / russet tone. The cool taupe brown in the stone and the warm brown roof present a challenge for using all gray. What I think can work to signal modern is a kind of color blocking - where the botton level of the house all the way around (seriously) is a specific deep gray to set off the brown gray stone element. And then, on top half, I also see a roof jump where we can paint out to make the left smaller side with an asymmetrical window all one cube / tone to the gutter line and then the larger right side another - This will create a blocking /modern look and take just a bit more work on the part of the painter to tape off the change points. Since the upper story has vertical siding it will be possible- the ends only jump at the break between top and bottom and there you have horizontal so that will work. They have terrific paint for vinyl now.

There are some camoflauge neutrals that are actually green underneath that would be warm and amazing with the stone. Here's a great color palette and then you can decide if you are brave enough for cubes of color up top or no. . . why not? See next post for the landscape ideas.

On the base level, garage door and siding around front window and tape off the horizontal siding so that everything below the upper jutting overhang matches - go bm amherst gray. The lightest tone is for the smaller upper left "cube" - where your roofline jumps up top front between the window using a batten to divide just to the right of the gutter and line up with the roof notch above. (i see the gutter isn't vertical - paint it out!) everything around to that end and around back to about the same point - this great lighter tone to echo the lighter stone (but be a bit deeper): bm stingray.

On the larger upper "box" to the right, where the big window will look centered in that rectangle, all the way around the end and back to the change point but only the upper story - bm oil cloth. Trim at the eave and fascia up top is the contrasting - deeper toned amherst gray. Trim around the front door is the lighter bm stingray
Front door - bm citrine

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/stingray
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/oilcloth
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/amherstgray
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/citrine#ce_s=citrine

Now for the site - the pink / coral tone in the stone should never be repeated on the house, but it would be great in flowering bushes . . pull out the split rail "fence" and replace the top of the light post and lights that flank the garage door with a funky industrial modern choice . . we are going to look for more copper finishes (or use rustoleum copper spray on new options) to repeat that citrine / copper / orange tone. Grab some coppery toned concrete stain for your drive and sidewalks / paths -

Look at this cool post light (avail in antique copper) http://www.lightingdirect.com/world-imports-wi9000-transitional-1-light-dark-sky-17-height-post-light-from-the-dark-sky-kingston-collection/p1572983
this for the garage wall http://www.lightingdirect.com/world-imports-wi9097-transitional-1-light-9-75-height-outdoor-wall-sconce-from-the-dark-sky-kingston-collection/p600918
and at the door http://www.lightingdirect.com/world-imports-wi9096-transitional-1-light-8-height-outdoor-wall-sconce-from-the-dark-sky-kingston-collection/p915743

coral toned flowering shrubs around the base of the new light post. architectural / native grasses / kind of spiky / golden / wheat toned all across the base and front of the house . . between the house and garage, a statement plant with significant architecture . . . spiky not too spiky to be dangerous . kangaroo paw type would work . .
hope you can see this fun vision. Use rounded pebble in all the beds for a modern look . . . pale stone tones. ..

That isn't Colonial house/design/architecture. Looks like a cross between modern with Spanish influence. No matter, it needs landscaping at least to the doorway, plus some orher up front, a paint color to diminish the garage doors and look good with the roof, and thicker trim on the upper windows to give it some visual depth and interest. Spend a few bucks and hire a designer. It will be the best dollars you'll ever spend.

I think she means 'colonial' because it is a two-story home. That's how we classify them in Michigan at least. I notice when I watch the shows based in Canada and even California on HGTV, that they have different definitions of what ranches and bungalows are, too, compared with what we consider those things in Michigan.

The house is modern. I think you need to add richer color and maybe a better roof. I would also get some attactive wood garage doors and exterior lighting and landscaping.

I know you just want to clean it up but this may serve as inspiration.

Because of the arched walkway and the different roof lines, I would say your home is a Spanish colonial. I would suggest you paint the taupe siding and trim white or off-white. You might leave the garage door and the entry doors of the house brown to go along with the mission door effect found in Spanish and Mediterranean style homes. When it comes time to replace the roof, I would suggest you get a red-orange Spanish tile metal roof to harmonize with the orange in the stone façade. I would suggest you get some large terra cotta pots and fill them with green, leafy plants to brighten the landscape and emphasize the Spanish look. Some black wrought iron pendant lights and matching sconces textured glass, and perhaps a black rail will add to the Spanish flair of your home. Black wrought iron window boxes also would be nice. If you would want to add shutters, please add some rugged barn-type shutters in the red-orange color I suggested for the roof.