So where would the fence be located and show us a photo of the fence you have in mind.

I don't think a vertical fence will conflict. Do the fence in the color of natural Teak or weathered dark Gray wood. Paint the trim of the house a deeper color inspired by the fence. When I say color, I mean earth tones. In the spring and summer months the flowers do a beautiful job of adding pop. In fall and winter, use deep red wreaths on the doors/windows.

About this style

Barbara, here is the view from the back. The fence is to replace the chain link in the back.

The plan is to eventually build a new patio off the back and add a pergola. The house is very bland as it is so I think the contrast of shape and value of a darker pergola might give it some better appeal. I was thinking about a charcoal pergola.

Jeffrey, you are so right the house needs something different in the trim. I am on the verge of painting the storms on the house black, but I haven't been able to bring myself to make the leap. I have all the original storm windows for the whole house, except for the back square windows because they are an addition that used to be a back porch.

I've stripped the paint off a couple of them that were in need of maintenance and reglazing and the bottom layer of paint was black. I've found evidence that the pebble dash covered up indigo cedar shakes and the house colour temperature is just as cool (the stucco on the foundation is also tinted indigo you can see a bit) , there is a slight blue to the pebble dash, so I have been having a hard time coming up with a neutral earth tone that would work with the coolness other than black. I'm also worried the windows disappear when they are no longer white and since they are my favourite part of the house I am afraid to go wrong :)

I think what might actually look best is a dark stained or painted fence but if it's also neutral and in the charcoal range or cool it might be too matchey. A nice craftsman style fence would look good but all the real craftsman style fences look incompatible with the horizontal privacy fence styles.

All the fences in the pictures are lovely! Especially the white one in the Parkinson Avenue! I have to give that look some thought.

I am in love with fences like this:


or



or


And I really like the minimalist look for the garden and patio but again I'm worried about it looking too modern with this house. One thought is that the pergola might bring together the styles and if I restate some craftsmen style in garden lattice and fence gates it might all work out. Also, I am thinking of adding some trim to the back windows, possibly faux wood muntins in the newer windows int he back to de-70s them like the upper sash of these windows:

http://www.showing247.com/bobridgeport/bungalow/detail_window.jpeg

But I really hate faux munitions when you can tell so I'm not sure I can live them.

Another consideration is the fence on one side is owned by a neighbour and I would have to get him to agree with what I come up with. My husband chatted with him that we should work together on the fence, like share the cost of posts, but I haven't brought any of my plans to him yet.

Jeffrey, your natural teak suggestion might work with this fence:

http://www.kirsch-korff.com/Assets/images/fence24_arcadia_horizontal_redwood_access_gate.jpg

I think I like darker but that doesn't mean it would actually look better darker!

My husband loves this look:

http://www.silvatimber.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/r/pre-finished-19-38-slatted-screen-garden_1_1.jpg

Genevieve, I like the secret garden dance maybe with a square lattice like the entry courtyard pic instead of diamond?

Debra..frankly..I like YOUR choices best. Go with your instincts.