I like your home without the shutters! IMO the tree on the right corner of your home, as you face the house, needs to go. From here it is too close the house. If you changed the landscaping to remove that tree and make larger planting beds, it would change your home's appearance. Get a good landscaping design co to put together a plan. Also widen your walkway and bring it out straight from the doorway so that people are welcomed into your home. This one is brick, but use a material that works for you. The landscape designer would be able to help you with the hardscape too.

The dilemma you have is how to stay somewhat true to the style of the exterior of the home, while finding your happy place with Nordic look. With your brick, I think some form of blue with white trim would achieve that sweet spot. This is a blue/gray with close to your brick. this is a good combination. They used black on the windows which I think looks very classic. By keeping the exterior to two paint colors you will minimize the "Gingerbread" look. That is the trick here. What a great home and I am so happy you are taking care of a great old home! Love that.

We've bought a fixer upper and want to repaint the exterior. What color scheme would you recommend? We can't go too light as we have red soil which stains, as well as dogs and a kid. The roof tiles are pretty old but we're keeping them, and their color is a grey brown color as they are aged terracotta.

We dislike the yellowish, two-tone color scheme that our house had when we bought it and are considering painting it all one color, including the brick. The shingles will also be replaced soon. We want an earthy neutral tone in keeping with our wooded lot and are leaning toward greiges and sages. Any advice would be appreciated!