Think it's great, Shame to change it substantially. Landscaping suggestions as above are all it needs.

I agree with Twinkleberry..... Align the center pillar with the roof peak, make an opening in the short front porch wall to align with the front door, close up the current opening and take out that small section of cement walkway and turn the porch into an outdoor living area with more seating, or a porch swing etc....

Its beautiful! Leave it as it is! Its ART!

what if you shingle the house but built a fence using your art work and incorporating plants and 3D art pieces as well.

i think it looks original and cozy-i wouldn't change a thing

Depending on the theme you want is what works best. It looks like something from the bajamas. What theme does your wife like?

I think the problem is that it is too busy. I would put some solid light tropical color to give it a calmer vibe. Perhaps something to break up all of the blue like a pink, yellow or coral color. I think the art work is cute but maybe less is more. Definitely needs some landscaping like solid colored bushes with no flowers or perhaps something like an esperanza with bright yellow flowers.

Since my wife is not as a visual person as myself..its hard to tell what she likes......she will tell me what she doesnt like....thanks everybody for some great ideas....i kinda like it as is ...but may need some more fine tuning....such as covering up some old wires running along the lines of the house to the roof area

This is a house I have loved for years on a beach in California, maybe an idea or two would come from it.

What a whimsical and joyful solution to an architectural challenge!
I think unless you are doing a full rehab to the front you can work well with what you have and achieve a more "architectural" and natural feel by layering n elements (as others have mentioned) the create some balance for the eye.
Landscaping around the porch featuring large scale plants (Oleander, mimosa, crepe myrtle?) would bring a unifying color and create a layer that is textured and organic. At he porch openings, framing cable trellises for climbing vines would also lend a more architectural and organized feel. Creating a visual rhythm and repeating the color and texture of the landscaping helps to frame the "art" of the home.
This home ( http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=12176 ) has some nice eclectic container plants with big presence, trellis frames and nice decorative touches brought out into the yard so the house is relating to its exterior a bit more.
Maybe bring some bright Adirondack chairs out from the porch to the side yard and so on. A simple unpainted wood surf board rack along the side opening there would also be a nice way to broadcast the beachy feel of the home while bringing in natural materials and creating a sense of architecture and orderliness that may be desired by your partner. Best of luck-tell us when the guest room is ready!

I love it!

Creative, bright and cheery.

For me, too much color & activity . . . reminds me of a car I have seen with 1000 beanie babies glued to it. Perhaps a sense of structure with one main color that is highlighted rather than every item highlighted.

I love it.

thx everyone for the input...great ideas Lisa....will try and show my wife these comments to let her decide....i'd probably paint everything...but it also depends on if we stay here etc and resale value...

Amazing artwork! I am an artist too and I found that you simply have to give them the evil eye and tell those soul stealers, those who want you to conform to the overculture, that their opinion is unwanted. They are just jealous of your creativity and freedom of spirit. Get into the confident and creative mode and get inspired to channel more of the same! If your wife is one of those people, certainly don't make her the centerpiece of your life, unless she is teachable. If she is, then help her to unleash her inspiration and work together on it with no judgemental attitude allowed. I find that if you are true to yourself, there will always be people who will not like you, but if you cave to their norms there are STILL people who wont like you. SO be true to yourself, because then you will be happy with your choices inside and out!

Ok. Very different. What do your neighbors say? You are using your personality, stay with that when designing.

love the house. Don't change a thing. You could put some plants in front that pick up the pink or yellow. NO more blue tones though-I think you've got enough blue. Maybe some low grasses in the circular area in front of the drive to soften the look.

yes Cindy...there are those who like and those who don't i dont really care that much about most peoples opinions!!

It's great! I particularly love the fish and the whole peak on the porch. As was mentioned above, maybe a solid color door would help. I'd hate for you to paint over the one you have. Save it and use inside somewhere. I could see red or orange for the front door. The bright green spots that are low on the front porch wall distract me. I could see painting the columns and that area a solid color but leave the peak!! Your house is unique, you're an artist. I'm sure that your house is a local landmark of sorts. Some skinny trellis' with plants to grow on them would be quite nice on the columns. As an artist myself, I'd love to see this every day!

I think this house is very cool and doesn't need anything except some landscaping. I would add a lot of different color to the plants, flowers, etc. I love color. You need some purple, orange and yellow out front for sure.

Maybe tone the colors a bit

Turn your house into a fish taco stand and all it perfect.

I WOULD SUGGEST GASOLINE AND A MATCH.

I would not.

I think it is fantastic for a beach house. I wouldn't change it unless you were rebuilding. As others have said maybe pay attention to the plant material. But I wouldn't even tone it down. Its a beach shack not a fake southern plantation.

OK BACK TO THE WILD BEACH HOUSE, SORRY I WAS JUST KIDDING. I WAS WONDERING WHAT WAS ON THE DOOR BEFORE BLANKING IT OUT.

It's great... People saying it should be burned etc... You can appreciate all art. Even if its not your style.

After reviewing all the comments - I agree that unless you are rebuilding, or have done a careful assessment of the house's layout/structure and you plan on staying there at least 10 more years...don't bother with the rehab. The house is what it is - a beach shack in your words. Add trellis to the posts and allow an evergreen vine to scramble up and along the underside of the eaves to help hide the off center posts (I would use an evergreen clematis in my area but you will select something appropriate for your climate). Add some shrubs at the foundation and if there is room, a large deciduous tree between the street and house for shade and screening. And finally - although I have tons of those icicle lights myself, I think they might be too distracting on your home...opt for single stranded white lights and move them to the foundation shrubs in the off - Christmas season. Good luck...its your house - if you love it..ignore the haters and focus on improving your theme!

I have seen other block houses in tropical climates used as pallets for artists and yours looks great. It hides all the nasty mildew, salt, bird droppings that collect on the sides of houses. If you feel like maintaining cedar shingles or siding change it then you can repaint your house every 3 years like the rest of us.

I adore your artwork just the way it is....!! ........"don't go changin' to try to please me..."....!!

It's cool and certainly one of a kind. But, change is good. Get the largest sprayer you can find and paint the house. Maybe a soft, neutral color. I must say the dog is sweet and hate to see him go. Send the beautiful fish my way and I'll treasure them. Thanks in advance.

I love your house.
I would like to buy some of your fish, do you have a website? Or could you please email me at bds29@icloud.com

Found you online, sent you an email

As much as I love this house I have to say not everyone (your neighbors) will appreciate your artistic abilities. Unless you live in an eccentric area like Venice Beach where marijuana is legal, I think you should respect your neighbors. I have a neighbor that painted his block wall with a desert landscape. IMO Tacky! Brings down the property value for the area. Keep the artwork inside. There are tasteful ways to decorate the exterior without offending the neighbors.

A few thoughts....Thought 1: Do shake on the base, columns and peak. Stain the shakes beach gray. Leave colored hanging fish on the gray shakes. Thought 2: Take a photo of your house in black and white. Do shakes as above. Leave colored fish, yellow board, red mailbox, green chairs and decorated door. On the face of the house (stay with me here) repaint your designs as in the black and white photo--that is, shades of gray/white/black. Maybe just stick a piece of color (like dog's nose?) in the redesign. While time consuming (ha, as if the first version wasn't), that would be subtle enough to suit wife/neighbors, be graphic and challenging enough for you, and really a standout feature. Take a great photo of it all in color before you start, and hang that on the porch by the chairs/door. Thought 3: Buy some of those outdoor lights that are the clear bulb type rather than the ones that look like icicles, and you can leave them up all year without seeming like you didn't take your Christmas lights down. (see partylights.com) Cool place!

Also wanted to add that you yourself are concerned with the resale. This tells me that even you think your artistic taste would be a tough sale. So you plan on keeping it that way until you are ready to sell? What about the people who are planning on selling now? There should be a matter of respect for the neighbors. If the home was surrounded by trees or a wall(out of sight) it would be a different story. The "I don't care what they think" attitude is wrong and selfish. Just a thought.
Are there more homes that are artistically painted around you? Or are you the only one?

I have to wonder if all those that say how wonderful the house looks and how much they love it would feel the same if it were right next door to them. I have serious doubts. You said it all, that a lot of people like it, but not the neighbors so much. Choosing to drive by occasionally for a visual jolt and being forced to look at it every day because you live next to or across the street from it is an entirely different thing.

THERE YAH GO SISTER, TELL IT THE WAY IT IS.

No way! It's awesome. Leave the house but Add landscape. Lots of big yukka plants would be great.

How 'bout a little stonewash & some greenery? Personally, I love it just the way it is!

Love your house! How about a couple of Palm trees and some miscanthus grasses?

No idea what miscanthus is but, palms would be a good choice

Instead of realigning the middle column with the roof peak (because it is no doubt a load-bearing column), I wonder if you could add an additional column on the other side of the peak to make a symmetrical front façade?

I would definitely take down the icicle lights.

Please straighten the house number.

I would consider covering the low wall and columns with cedar shingles. This would leave the peaked portion of the house (with the fish) as it is, as well as the interior of the porch.

I think some plants that are green all year long would be nice to soften the yard.

Has your wife had an opportunity to see this post yet?

OK ... First, I like the slightly crooked 331. I like the red mail box, the yellow surfboard, and the green adirondak chairs. The busyness ... Not so much. I would put some solid color on the columns, some plantings, and find SOMETHING to tie it all together.

I love your work. Just buy your wife some dark glasses.

I love it, and think it is awesome! Perhaps a compromise could be reached with your wife… for example every 4 years you all repaint… her turn is now and then in 4 years it’ll be yours. Have fun! Life is waaaayyy to short to stress over certain things.

7 yr old post

Hahaha, what a great , fun , beach house ! Just repaint it if and when you ever tire of it or grow out of the look , I would buy it just to put a smile on my face every time I look at it ! It’s a artist house ! Love it !

Would be interesting if they come back and tell us if they ended up making any changes!

A beach cottage needs a bit of personality, and yours has it still, I hope. If and when you tire of the exuberance, paint it.

It's a "groovy little hippie pad" ZZ Top