What a cute house! The white windows do kinda stick out. It’s amazing to me how many people cheap out on windows.

As I understand it, the issue is not getting paint to stick to vinyl windows (which could also happen). Rather dark paint absorbs heat and can cause the windows to fail, and may void the warranty.

Now, if these windows are older and out of warranty, you could give it a shot. If they fail, you replace them. Get a good window dealer to come by and discuss your options and price replacements. If they are standard sizes the cost might not be too much. You have time to research appropriate styles.

I would really want a dark trim on those windows. As an interim matter I would paint them, and try to change out the windows in the future when budget permits.

It would also be nice to remove that metal awning and replace it with a stained wood "trellis/awning.".

yes,,,most traditional spanish bungalows from the late 20's and 30's, were painted white, cream or a pale yellow. (that brick work was added sometime after the home was built)

I'd paint the stucco white (if you do cream, the white on the windows will look off). you can choose to paint the brick black or leave it as is, and try and bring in some saltillo tile or the Talavera tile somewhere on the porch or around the arch.

Pretty Home. Looks like my old neighborhood in Coral Gables, Florida.

If you hide the tile roof, the house really doesn't look Spanish. Is that a typical roof for the neighborhood, or is your house surrounded by shingle roof homes?

Paint will make a huge difference, . Also, I would replace the metal awning with a canvas one with “spear” supports,many available online or you can have them custom made by an awning company. Also off the subject, new lighting and house numbers....

Is there a way to stain the tile roof? Its just so big and all one bright color. I would be nice to age it somehow and get a little variation and character. It would be great to get windows with character too, but for now, they look okay, especially if you paint the house white.

There’s nothing wrong with your roof. I would get rid of the red porch color via concrete paint or stain or resurfaced. Depending upon your climate, creative Mediterranean landscaping would make the biggest impact apart from the paint. Agaves, Bird of Paradise, bougainvillea..... things like that.

Where I grew up in Lakewood in the 1950s, southern California houses were painted all pastel tones, yellow, pink, blue, green and there was a lavender one on the way to my aunt's house we loved! White was rare and never medium to dark tones. I wonder if more than just cream and white were used on these homes built 20 years earlier? Since there is pink brick you might look into painting the house a tone that blends that in. That third photo with the dark balcony comes up in a 'pink spanish colonial revival' search.

Love the idea of replacing the metal shade. How about making it similar to the balcony on the third photo you posted with dark wood and then painting the existing overhead posts and beam the same color?

kathy, i grew up in the same area in the 60's as well. when those homes were originally built, they were in the white shades. no purple or green! lol. Original (as in adobe homes in the southwest) Spanish type homes were done in those pale colors to reflect heat. Obviously now it doesn't matter, but if you wanted to stay true to period color, the whites/pale yellows creams, would be the way to go.

this is one of my faves because of the patina green trim and hardscape work. Her white vinyl windows is somewhat limiting with her colors

this bright white would work w/her windows. perhaps she could somehow bring in some of this green trim work via the door, the concrete steps/patio(repaint in the green color) and the posts.

Elizabeth, another option you could try is to do your posts in the wood like they've done here and maybe trim out your windows w/wood or even the spanish tiles. I also like this window awning they've done here. replacing yours w/the fabric type would update yours quite a bit.

and these bougainvillea are always a must next to these white houses! fruitless olive tree would also look nice, as well as bright color ceramic pots

Lovely home! I have nothing to add to all the above great advice, but I'm so glad you are going to restore the home to be period-appropriate. Post photos as you go along!

Paint the windows dark and the stucco white, the pillars dark brown, add some talavera tiles to the steps, and terracotta tile walkway to replace the sidewalk cement and remove the awning, it will be beautiful! Buena suerte!