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Paint Design Dilemma Exterior

My home exterior needs your advice!

6 years ago

I am would like to spruce up the exterior of our home. I am not a fan of the red brick against the pale yellow, and always feel like the white shutters are too light.

I am leaning towards pulling a tan/taupe from the roof, which is not pictured but veers on reddish, and painting the side that color, then going a darker shade of taupe or black for the shutters and door. A nagging question- what about the wood work on the small patio? And the garage? Thoughts??

Featured Answer

Diane

6 years ago

Hopefully the pros will chime in here and help you take your lovely home to the next level. I would eliminate the shutters they do not fit the windows. Imo you have to much white of the white fencing I would remove the corner pieces by your driveway.

Photos showing the house front would help to see the door and proportions better.

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Comments (7)

Judy Mishkin
6 years ago
the side awnings can be replaced with solar shades inside. they look quite dowdy sticking out. agree with the little fence-let at the corner, too.
annalisota thanked Judy Mishkin
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Denita
6 years ago
Agree with both of the comments above. Please read this short article written by an architect about shutters so you understand why they don't work with your windows:

Shutters vs Shudders
annalisota thanked Denita
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
The shutters need to be removed , Solar shades for sure and no awnings. A nice soft gray green for the siding IMO would be much better than taupe the entry seems odd to me can you take a pic of the house showing the front dead on. The landscaping could use a spruce up those white rocks are not working for me neither is the weird little fence . I like walkways that lead to the front door from the street they always feel more welcoming. I think what bothers me most is the proportion of brick to siding but not much you can do about that.
annalisota thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
6 years ago
Agree that the shutters should be removed entirely - they don't fit the windows. Fencelet on the corner too. Awnings should also go. And what are those white "wings" on either side of your front door - more shutters? Another likely candidate for removal!

All of the white looks very stark against the brick right now, but it might look better once the shutters are removed, since there will be a lot less of it. As for an alternate color for the yellow section, it would help to see your roof, but personally I like grey with red brick. Once you decide on a color for the body of the house you can decide whether to paint the garage door the same color and how to handle other trim pieces, etc.
annalisota thanked biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)
Judy Mishkin
6 years ago
oh, and paint the downspouts to match what they are against.
annalisota thanked Judy Mishkin
annalisota
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your comments. I really hadn't even considered removing my "shudders" but the article posted was interesting. Btw, the awning were purged right after we moved in. Little white fences vestiges of last owner. They are plastic and crummy looking and hitting the bricks this spring! I will upload a straight on shot when the snow stops!! Based on what you all have said: get rid of all shudders, consider a grey for the siding, then the rest of the trim TBD. THANK YOU ALL!! You've given me lots to think about, and some good direction.

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