You have great ideas for changing the look of your house. Everything comes with a price tag. First make a budget and then prioritize first, second and third. The colors are hard for me to imagine. But good luck.

Can we repaint vinyl, or is it cheaper to replace the vinyl with the color I would like?

I don't have to do the whole yard or grass, just enough in front of the house to make it more earthy

What a beautiful home!! I agree with rosecottagehome. After removing the two shrubs by the front door you will be amazed at how open it will feel. Your front door is being smothered by those shrubs. I would leave the middle shrub because it gives balance to that end of the house. See what you think before removing the middle shrub. I wouldn't do any more about the landscaping until you paint the house & then you will be able to determine how much more "earthy "you will need to add. Look at similar homes, take pictures & you will be able to get a better idea of what you are looking for. When painting the front door it could definitely be beefed up with a color different from the shutters. Can't tell if you have a walkway from the front door. If not that would be a must (at least 3 = ft. wide).. good luck from Canada

I'm curious -- if you want to do a complete exterior makeover from roof to landscaping, why don't you purchase a home that really needs a face lift or one that is more suitable for earth colors? This home is gorgeous the way it is.

The white exterior, green shutters and light roof create a beautiful contrast against the surrounding back drop of green trees, expansive green lawn and green hedges. The color scheme you're contemplating may reduce the way it stands out or cause it to melt into the back ground scenery. At the very least, it will diminish its majestic stature.

It sounds like budget isn't a concern, so it might be a good idea to consider your options or look at photos of similar homes before making any changes. Painting the front door a great shade of yellow might be all that's needed!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

the 2 green shrubs by entry are overgrown and need to go. earthy colors are my personal passion - but not for this house. I truly think that your plan should wait for the day you own a different house.

If you paint anything start with the door and shutters. What are the color schemes of homes in your neighborhood? If you are in Hartford, like my daughter, most homes are white with blue or green doors and shutters. I personally love the crisp white against all the beautiful greens. Remove the bushes by the front door and replace with pots of colorful flowers. You have a gorgeous home.

I don't know the color scheme in the area... since we are lost in the countryside. I find these types of houses, white with green shutters to be utterly common, and wanted to personalize it more. I do think it would make the house more substantial and solid. I am not a fan of vinyl it might also be that, and I do not like white. This property has got a lot that we want, but the color. The roof on the photo looks light grey but in real it is closer to black. I agree with the 2 shrubs and leaving the other plants, not sure I understand how the shrub in the middle would bring balance. I think the shutters are much too thin or small... something is missing for me, but I have appreciated all the input so far, it helps me to hear other perspectives, very helpful, thank you.

Love Christi's (on behalf of Thos .Baker) comment , suggesting yellow front door. Would look very nice with theexisting reddish shrubs that near the door.

You're right Leona -- a yellow front door would look nice with those reddish shrubs!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Looks pretty perfect to me. A house front that faces southwest will be in a hotspot. I would think the white would be a good color, but also understand you want to individualize the look. Why not try Black or very dark gray shutters, both colors would look great with white and a yellow ( happy ) door. Congrats.

I would leave everything, but add a lovely traditional entry porch.

I agree with "grobby"!! Valerie, you said that you liked earthy colors (warm colors). If you look at the picture of your home all the colors are warm except the shutters which appear to be a cool (teal) green. Perhaps this color is the main problem. Black or very dark charcoal on the shutters would be an excellent choice as mentioned by "grobby".
As for the reddish shrubs (can't tell by pic what type they are, maybe post a close up) they may require a lot of pruning to control their size!

Above, Valerie said she doesn't like white, so I'm wondering if changing the shutters alone would help. How about dark brown shutters? What do you guys think of that option? It's very earthy and would work with a yellow or hey....how about a red door?

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Christi, like the yellow door choice especially with the reddish shrubs. Red door with those shrubs would blend with them too much. Brown shutters also a good choice.

POSTED APRIL 2014

brown roof - ok - but leave house white; dark yellow door - ok; dark brown shutters - ok - except no shutters on window over door. awnings? maybe later. porch over door - ok. remove tall bushes by door like others mentioned - that is all that i would remove. pebbles instead of grass? no way. i would add some large rocks to the landscaping. bigger front door - only if necessary. beautiful house