I think it's a good-looking house, with good proportions. I wouldn't call it "chopped up" looking at all. The mushroom-colored siding and white trim don't do anything for each other. I'd paint the siding (first and second floors both) something like the brick color you're testing in the photo of the front door, but with a bit more orange, and a few shades lighter than the brickwork. Paint the garage door the same color. That should give the house more unity than it currently has, de-emphasize the garage, and solve the "chopped up" issue. Consider painting the lower part of the downspout the brick color as well. I wouldn't use that color for the front doors, though, since you think the doors aren't noticeable enough. White or black would work, as you're already using them for accent colors (and both colors appear in the used brick). Or keep the doors blue. Wait to decide about shutters for the large window until after you've painted the siding. If it bothers you, install shutters; if not, save your money. [Another factor in this decision is the landscaping on either side of the window; will there be shrubs to cover the shutter area? and do you know what the hollies are? Since you're removed most of the shrubs, an updated photo would help.] While shutters are optional, I think a window box under the large window is a definite 'No.' The window is too low. Plant 2-3 evergreens in front of the window instead, and grow flowers in front of them in the warm season. I don't think changing the columns would draw more attention to the front doors, since the columns are in four different locations across more than half of the building. What will help is keeping shrubbery from concealing the area around the entrance. If whatever climbs the trellis will hide the front doors, then move the trellis elsewhere. I wouldn't put anything taller than a foot or a foot and a half in the area in front of the doors. If you want more color in that area, consider adding a narrow bed on the other side of the walkway for some flowering annuals or perennials. How narrow is the narrow bed? Does the porch run the whole distance to the driveway? Am I seeing a walkway in front of the narrow bed, or is that snow? Can you tell us what zone you're in? It will help with the shrub and tree recommendations. If you don't know your zone, you can use your zip code to find out: http://www.garden.org/zipzone/index.php

well..neutrals can be deeper too. neutral doesn't mean "light"..it just means a color that will most likely be a background that most people would find natural to be a background color. Even though a lot of colors can be easily considered neutrals, since they're so prevalent in nature...say some blues or greens..If it's something you see a lot outside, and I mean a lot-don't worry you'll perceive it as neutral. If beige is neutral-then brown is a neutral too..technically it's a much darker beige, as far as i understand..or should I say-beige is much much lighter brown lol they all are colors. and some neutrals are very capricious actually. take white for example-it is a perfect background but it needs light to become perfect background..and it will accentuate a lot of things. which you sometimes want to accentuate, if you have great architecture for example..and sometimes you don't. if you have a dark bland small room-white won't do it any favors. of course one should remember there are many whites..) in short, no, deeper colors won't necessarily make a place small. they won't make it big either lol. they can make it livelier though..cozier. you usually don't want to go really dark in a big space, not because it will make it smaller, but because it might change your feel..too much dark might feel oppressing. but just a tad deeper color and real dark color are two different things. you know what you're ready to commit to..took me some years to go more colorful, and I do prefer muted colors so it still reads pretty soft. neutrals can be as deep and amazing as anything else..when you'll start getting samples, trying them in your unique space and light- you'll see what you are comfortable with. and what makes the given room lovelier to you. just don't believe the names paint companies give-these are very deceiving..:) if you're looking for a color, especially a neutral one-just look everywhere. looking for gray? great. check the whites too:) etcetera blue sectional sounds very cool. colorful furniture usually works well with neutrals allover the range. and colors too lol. put it in a gray room-it will work. or in a beige room-and it will work. or in a white room-still will work. or take a "real" color-still will work, in most of cases. i don't find your paneling that horrible btw-but maybe it's because i don't see it up close. quality of wood matters a lot of course. sorry for the ramblings..i get like that sometimes lol

A couple of notes: - You don’t actually want to plant as densely or as close to the walk as in Doug’s sketch or in three years you will need to do a lot of pruning and in 5 or 8 you will be ripping out plants and starting all over again with many of them. Add large pots or a birdbath or art or annuals while you wait for some of your woody plants to put on size. - Whatever you plant needs to be sized appropriately for it ultimate growth. Plant tags often give plant sizes at an unrealistic 5 years, so be sure to look up on a reputable website such as the Missouri Botanic Garden’s Plantfinder to find the actual expected size. - You have a big overhang that creates a rain shadow that will always be dry without irrigation. Be sure to plan on irrigation for anything within that rain shadow. Regardless, don’t plant anything so close that it will grow to within a foot or so of the house. - Wider steps are great to make a welcoming entry. - Notice in both sketches that the plants in front of the windows are lower with taller plants framing it or placed further down the slope to not block the windows. - Plan to have some of your plants evergreen for a winter presence and some with either colored foliage or flowers for interest. - Sod or hydro seed the lawn at the appropriate time of year for your area which may be now.

Hi thank you all for the wonder replies. I’ll make sure to leave great reviews! I’m located on the east coast. New Jersey right near Philadelphia. My home was built in the 60s. First time home owner I’m cash flowing everything and finding out cost as I go. So far windows were priority because of drafts and also found out the windowsills have lead paint. But yes loving the look of the Classico lime wash. I decided to keep the capping white since I can only afford fixing windows on the right side of my home at the moment( since that’s where bedrooms are and living area). I know it’s a work in progress and want to strive for a look that is updated and won’t look dated to quickly ❣️