My main issue with what is making the house look off, is the undersized oddly placed, windows. That and the 1970's awnings. Lose the awnings, larger white windows, a nice white railing would where I would start. It that a lake to the right of the house?

Yes, hide a.c. unit, change window sizes, and go from there. I wouldn't try and do everything at once because you might change your mind about the next step when elements start improving.

Extending the porch to the left is a great idea, it will help balance out the elements of that view. The tiny porch combined with that expanse of brick really looks odd to me. Yes, larger windows upstairs would help. The awnings aren't horrible, but ditching them and adding shutters would help make the 1st floor windows look more balanced.

And finally, YES, paint that brick.

Obviously we tend towards what we know, which is why I would love to see some more openings in the facade and some larger openings at that.

Is the back of the house?

Whole house pictures?

Thanks for your comments everyone.

The house is on a beautiful lake - the photo shows the front of the house. Hockeymom, I do not have more photos right now.

I agree with most of your notions, but I wouldn't add shutters -- I think they don't fit the style (well, you know) of the house. Better an improved version of what it is than to make it look like it's hoping to grow up to be a Colonial! :^)

I guess if you're painting, then you can go any direction with the trim -- with brick, I tend to want dark trim, but I see you already have some white siding on the garage (?), so I'd follow that. Be sure to paint your downspouts to match whatever color you end up with. Also, if you widen the porch, you might think about a kind of roof that would give interest to the entrance and a more balanced feel to the facade overall.

What's the room in the upper-left corner where there's so painfully no window?

A couple of thoughts:. I'd go in a modern direction, as opposed to making it a colonial; if the bottom center window could be enlarged to match the left window that would be great. I'd also like to see a longer front porch - with. Modern portico over the front door. Perhaps horizontal cedar plank fencing around the AC units. I'd also want to see the shrub blocking the front entrance removed. Painting the brick should also be considered. You are lucky to have a house on such aperture lake!

I'd spend the money for a consult with an architect.

Is this a new purchase or have you been living there for awhile? The reason I ask is that I wonder whether the small windows are deliberate, because of a need for privacy (e.g. bathroom) or because they are constrained by something like a kitchen counter height. It looks as if the house has lots of windows facing a beautiful view, and maybe there is a busy road on the other side that would be more annoying if there were big windows facing it. Around here, most lakeside homes with a beautiful view are deliberately closed off on the opposite side, for these reasons.

Are the awnings for light control? I would live in the house for a year before removing them. The color is not good with the brick, but I do like a shelter over a door. It gives the house some dimension, protects against rain when standing there, and gives a nice sheltered feeling. If cost is an issue, you could try painting the awning over the door and removing the others if they don't add value.

I would not paint this house. It's a significant expense, one time and ongoing, and I don't think it would look any better painted. There is nothing wrong with the color - it's a classic brick building.

The air conditioners are an eyesore. Planting shrubs would help, but I wouldn't want to wait years for shrubs to mature. Google "hide an air conditioner" and you'll find many options to build, to give you immediate relief.

Your photo is taken at a bit of an odd angle. There is obviously an attached garage to the left, that should be taken into account. We can't see your front door from where you're standing, but it looks like it is easily seen as you walk up the pathway. More pictures would really help. By painting the garage door you may be able to balance the house better.

The large areas of brick can be balanced by landscaping. For example, a small tree between the 2 lower windows would give you instant relief from the expanse of plain brick, and would hide the discrepancy in window size. Choose one that doesn't get too large.

Extending the porch and moving the steps wouldn't add much value here, and would add considerable expense since you'd need to move the walkway as well.

If I were you, first step would be to get a consultation about landscaping. That will be your biggest bang for your buck.

Here's a rough idea of what I mean. I'd reduce the size of the shrub in front of the porch, unless it is there for privacy. Also plant a tall narrow evergreen in front of the left side downspout. I added a wood surround around your air conditioner, and planted a small tree/large shrub between the windows. I'd also put a large pot with tall grasses, against the house on the walkway between the window and the door, again to break up that expanse of brick. Just putting in somewhat larger windows will not accomplish this.

But....lake view. Did they turn the house to face the lake?

OMG, not at all 1st Place ugly.

Would add a large white or grey porch. Would NOT paint the brick.

I usually give people a dog, but since you already have one...

I think groveraxle's moc up looks great!

groveraxle's indeed an improvement! If you are looking out on a beautiful lake, it may indeed be a good idea to have an expansive porch to sit and admire the beautiful lake. What if the porch was a covered porch? Or would that make the home too dark inside? Can the windows be enlarged?

Groveraxle nails it again. (Damn, he/she is scary good at exteriors.)

+1

Love the rendering by Groveraxle.

Without seeing the other views of the exterior and assuming the upstairs windows are bedrooms, since this will require permits, the windows very well may need to be much taller for egress requirements.