Removing the shutters will make a huge difference. Maybe one of our Photoshoppers will come on and show you the result.

Shutters need gone, porch needs covered.

I've quickly removed the shutters via Photoshop for you. I'm not sure removing them is the best way to go! Without the shutters, the exterior feels a little bit bland.

Maybe consider painting them a lighter color, that way they still provide some texture without feeling overpowering.

Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions!

Thank you! Would you consider whitewashing or painting the brick??

The single shutters on the door and big window are just wrong. I’m not usually in favor of painting brick unless it’s seriously ugly, but since you can’t paint the siding darker to blend better, I’d say lighten the brick.

And what do you think about the door? Paint the screen door black?

Just saw the previous post, if I’m not mistaken you can’t paint vinyl siding darker than its original color or it will warp.

I was going to suggest a portico, porch or some dormers for curb appeal. It's expensive but would give it some dimension.

Does the brick go all the way around, or does it just appear on the one side (front)? If the latter, I gotta say.... not a fan. Apparently there were people whose style was cheap and cheesy even in the olden days - and often this was just a brick veneer tacked on and not an integral part of the house. Sorta like people now tacking up shiplap all over the place, even though it doesn't make a lot of sense designwise. If so Id be tempted to remove it and have same siding over the whole house.

If it is an integral part of the house - then no, don't paint - work with it (as housegals pics show you can get it to look like it belongs, like it fits in with a cohesive design.

@Current Resident, Unfortunately it's just on the front!

Charming house!

The architectural value of the home is not currently enhanced by the shutters so the recommendation would be to remove them. Curb appeal would be greatly increased, however, by increasing depth around the entry door. Consider adding a roof over the entry steps and/or adding to or replacing the steps with a deck. Including an organic finish such as wood would add warmth to the exterior palette.

A REALLY quick and affordable fix to the lack of depth would be to do some exposed grain wood planter boxes beneath the windows. This would also cut into the 50% brick and give the house a little more visual interest as well as added charm.

Best of luck with your project!

ptreckel nailed it: remove the shutters, remove the storm door, larger address numbers and light (more modern too) and LANDSCAPING! That's all you need. The house is a nice home with two materials used. I think your sister should go for it :)

I would also add a wide walkway coming straight out from the steps rather than coming from the side. Not the same style house below, but this walkway example gives you a good method of entry to the house with a large planting bed(s) in front of the house when you are coming from the driveway. It looks much more welcoming to have the walkway come to the front door IMO.

Norway Rd · More Info

The shutters are just silly so get rid of those first then a new front door with no sidelight but more glass in the door. Some type of cover or potico over the front door some railings on the steps. Is that actually brick or some kind of facing ?

Nice house. Like the uncluttered nature of it as is (though not fond of the shutters -- yet it does make a bit of sense to balance the side light w/a dark shutter on the left in the interest of symmetry.

Would not paint or remove the brick.

If the two different siding materials is the only issue with the house, then the visual effect can be minimized by …

... planting an attractive hedge -- preferably something that keeps its leaves during winter and can be kept trimmed level at top of brick height;

... adding a row of planters in front of the brick on the left side of the house with lattice the height of the brick and a plant that will cling to and climb the lattice in it; or

... adding a white picket fence the height of the brick in front of it.

… adding a porch on the right side of the home.

Edited.

More gray and brick with houses that have gray roofs.

Kitchen & Addition · More Info

LG HOUSE · More Info

Fine without shutters, neat and trim. Curious if walkway in front of house is straight and narrow. A change there, maybe bringing curve for wider walking next to driveway?

Get rid of the single side light door. Replace with a wider door if the current door isn't 36" wide. Center the door in the opening and use some beefier trim or raised panel shutters on either side of the door. (So you can just frame and fill the opening and not have to worry about matching siding & brick.)

Do remove the window shutters.

PhotoShop removal of shutters really improved things. New landscaping is what you need now.

I would remove the shutters, change the window trim to a softer gray, remove the screen door and paint the front door the same color as the trim and sidelite. There looks to be two sets of house numbers. Remove the plaque to the left of the door and add larger numbers under the light. I would also consider adding railings to the steps as suggested.

I like the clean look of the house. But here are two examples of add-ons:

The "Poet's Cottage" · More Info

Custom Projects · More Info

Check out @jm04's before and after transformation in this thread, posted about an hour ago. Really nice.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-would-you-do-sad-beige-exterior-in-minneapolis-dsvw-vd~5344217?n=20[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-would-you-do-sad-beige-exterior-in-minneapolis-dsvw-vd~5344217?n=20)

Wow @partim, very impressive! Thanks for sharing

cute house. the shutters HAVE to go. And the front door looks like a back door. switch that out w/something that fits better, in a new color, add a new light, and house numbers, and it's all but done.

loosing the white and doing a black door, fits much better.

if doing the side lite, then have the door match the style. this is a very bright green, but you could do red, or a blue,,,,just give you an idea on the style

maybe do some natural wood railing for the porch, or do a portico, or build a little deck )ignore the shutters on this after pic)

It seems like the consensus is that the house could be much cuter with a pretty easy upgrade of just removing the shutters and painting the door. Landscaping with a little height could cover up some of the brick. I like the idea of a natural wood railing too. House numbers also seem like a must. Anyone know of some good midcentury modern house numbers? And thank you so very much for the feedback!

We ordered our modern house numbers from Amazon. 4 colors to choose from and well priced. I like the way they stand out from the house and create shadows behind them.