Replace the walkway,the fence.plant hosta,fern,hydrangea...

^^^ Agree with Sophie. Beautiful setting and classic design.

I would consider some additional landscaping

People are now trying to recreate what you have and making bad attempts at it and just can't hide the fact it's a bubble house because of all the corners they cut and faux products they use.

I recommend painting your house a cooler shade of gray with white trim and then adding some bursts of color with the help of a clever and creative landscaper. The contrast of blues, violets, and reds of plant life against a more modern gray would really be stunning. You have so much room to work with too, so you could really make a significant change.

What should we replace the walkway with?

This picture was taken last fall before we moved in. We actually have the landscapers putting in hydrangeas, hostas, azaleas, and other colorful landscaping this week.

Brian - what faux products and corners cut are you referring to and what do you suggest? We have plans to replace the shutters.

One of the most difficult of all skills in design is resisting the urge to make changes just for the sake of making changes. This is a classic arcitectural style that needs no modern ''improvements'' other than perhaps a bit of landscape revival to compliment it's existing character. The brick wall is fantastc! The walkway is fantastic! The classic green shutters, while not historically size appropriate, are color appropriate.

Resist the urge to make major changes to this home. You don't want to destroy it's classic beauty! You don't put the latest cutout dress on your mom! You respect her age and dignity and not teenaged body.

Please do not change the walkway, it's perfect for the house and setting.

The house doesn't need to be heightened, it is well proportioned as is.

I'm sure Brian was referring to builders today building homes that try, and fail, to replicate what you have, by using lesser materials.

Sounds as if you have the landscape in hand.

Just a bit of advice. Don't try to "fix" what isn't broken, and be sensitive about what you do change. Much good architecture has been destroyed by well intentioned homeowners wanting to "update" their new home.

If you really need to put your mark on this place, choose fresh paint colors.

And post some new images when the new plantings are in!

I would get rid of the front pillars and open up you front door also the house color is good but the shutters should be softened out I would suggest tone on tone
Dormers on the roof line would add to the overall feel of a stately estate house
Add lots of hydrangeas and roses to complete the look walkway is great

Thank you for talking us out of any major exterior changes! As far as shutters what is suggested? I've read that the shutters, at the least, should look like they would cover the windows even if they do not actually close. However, we run into the issue of our downspouts from the portico would get in the way of shutters large enough to cover the first floor windows. Suggestions on moving downspouts or how to solve this?notnotactuallyclose

Yeah they make hardware to make them look like they close too. A lot of homes have shutter obstructions sometimes in my opinion it would have been better to leave them off some windows.

Your home is absolutely gorgeous! The only thing I might do is add some nice light fixtures to the brick columns where the pineapples are.

I agree with the majority of folks here that your house is classic and beautiful. I also love the wall and walkway. I think with your new landscaping coming it will look stunning, please post the results. Because of your down spout situation at the portico, I would just leave the shutters you have or you could remove the bottom sets just at the front section and replace the others with the real deal shutters with hardware.

The only thing I'd do would be to remove the shutters from the double windows. The others are faking functionality pretty well. That's an investment you can make further down the road. I don't think the lack of shutters on the ground floor will be an issue because the door and portico should steal the show anyway. Another "down the road" consideration might be wrought iron railings on the balconies. A bit of black never hurts!

Thanks everyone! I will add pics once landscaping is complete.

Suggest you use Travertine pavers, They are not expensive at all but can change the walkway and bring the "aura" missing.

Lovely home...like the idea of lighting on front pillars...maybe include some uplighting in the landscape plan.

Your house is already beautiful! I think you could do a little more detailed landscaping work, adding more flowers for color especially in the front of the entrance area

You have nice home and gorgeous grounds.
If you do consider home renovation this French country manor would look very nice on your property.

Leave the walkway as is. Brick is timeless and gorgeous. Remove shutters completely. Remove the railing on top of your portico. That will "open" things up without taking out character. Keep the pieces in the even you ever want them back.

mehack?

That's a lovely house with great proportions painted in a dreary beige. Needless to say, I recommend paint.

Once landscape team is finished, I will post pics. Also we actually have up lighting around the house. There is a light just below each of the artichokes (some called them pineapples) at the front brick wall.

What a beautiful home! Since there has been talk about shutters, we obviously have to chime in ;)

Authentic shutters with hand-forged hardware would be a great option for your home. Since your home appears to be a cross between a Federal and Colonial, we would recommend replacing your existing shutters with properly fitted (like you had mentioned - they should measure out to half the size of the window) louver and panel styles.

In the olden days, panel style shutters were placed on the first floor for protection and privacy, and louvers were placed on the second floor for ventilation. This is a very common appearance for Federal and Colonial style homes.

Here are some pictures of our shutters with the panel/louver combination. Feel free to take a peek around our website and request a free catalog! http://www.timberlane.com

Agree that you have a beautiful home. It's just hidden behind the trees. I would paint it white, keep the shutters black. Add something substantial to entrance columns, perhaps lighting or beautiful flower pots.