Hi there, We haven't done it yet, but I still want to. I actually found a neighborhood near here (tipped off by my neighbor who's been thinking of doing this for ten years but has yet to pull the trigger) where there are tons and tons of houses like ours, most painted a single color. They look great. And it's in a very fancy area, which I think explains the greater prevalence of doing this than my specific neighborhood, which is nice but not ritzy (since painting the brick adds a lot of $$). I took pictures of some of these houses, which I'm happy to post. I think it's important though to hire a really really good painter, and to shell out the extra $ for good paint. I've seen some crappy jobs and it's not worth it.

Every time I've moved into a new house, I've had to watch my pennies, so I am assuming that you need to work with what you have as much as possible. I can definitely see the red siding. I love red houses. I think shutters would also help the look. Maybe in yellow or green? I know they are not "accurate" but it would break up the expanses and give it a little flair I think. You can also buy window inserts that give the windows the look of window panes. The white or cream trim you're thinking of would be nice. Can you have the trim around the windows enlarged when they side it? Also, in your inspiration photo, the corners of the house have the white trim boards going down vertically in the corners, and I think that would add a little something. It's the right side of the house that is really out of balance to me. Maybe you could have a different style siding on that side going up about 3/4 of the way to break that expanse up. Or use the different style above the 3/4 mark......just something to break the big blankness on that side. I can also see some big fan-shaped trellises on that side painted in your trim color. Tall as possible, and then some vines or roses growing up on them. How about some big Annabelle Hydrangeas below to fill in the landscape on that side? Then you could do a large country garden on the left side in a big swooping shape, not lined up in a straight line, maybe even coming out as far as those trees and incorporating them in the big garden. You could mulch with the red or medium tan color to make it a big feature and get some curved lines going. I've used exterior stains to change the color of bricks and it works. I used several colors to get the variations from brick to brick and it was not a hard project. Maybe some darker colors, or maybe yellows and golds and light browns? That window above the door does say 70s, but I think if you put a lace curtain in the window and go big and fabulous on the gardens, it won't take the focus and will look ok. Good luck. I think you can get the look you're going for without breaking the bank.

@gracie01 brick veneer (not structural), if old and moisture gets in, can falter and fall. It's not the brick that fails, it's the wall ties holding the brick to the backing material, either wood or metal framing or another brick or stone wythe that fails.Failed wire brick tie. In some cases, through negligence or ignorance there may not even be ties! Edinburgh Oxgangs Primary School veneer wall collapse. No ties used at all, according to a BBC investigation. Brick veneer is largely a 20th C. phenomena, with the first documented use occurring in 1899. As the metal ties rust away, support is lost and the veneer moves. In only one municipality I've built in, were longer-lived stainless ties required. Otherwise there were no requirements re ties. If the mason were supplying ties, count on the cheapest and flimsiest available. In the house we're currently living in, the masons used nails to tie the brick to the structural block. Where the back of the block is visible in the garage, around the end of each nail a quarter sized section of block has fallen off as the nail rusted. The house will be demolished by the next buyer, so there's no concern.

I can't imagine how hectic and difficult it must be trying to move under the current circumstances. You have plenty of space to seat probably up to 8 people. What furniture are you bringing into the space? The built-ins seem to be in a bit of an odd spot. The most logical place for the t.v. seems to be to the left of the fireplace. You could wall mount it with a console underneath. Then add two chairs, facing the wall the built-ins are on, and a sofa facing the fireplace and t.v. You'll want an area rug for comfort and to ground the seating area. You could add another chair to the right of the fireplace with a floor lamp to make a cozy reading spot by the built-ins. Add books and decor but don't forget to leave some empty space on the shelves. Add a great piece of art over the mantle. I would add a long rod with curtains across the wall with the windows and double door for privacy at night, along with some woven wood shades for the windows. That back corner could be a good place for a game table with a couple of chairs. Is there room for an entry table before you pass through the columns?