May we see a photo of the current state of the place?

Yes, of course. We temporarily painted the front door and garage but now that we want to replace them, we need help figuring out the best color schema. The porch posts are treated wood so we will most likely paint them as well.

I would put the railings back on, for two reasons, they look better, and it is a safety issue. Your house had more curb appeal in the before picture, than it does in the now pictures. It also looks like you have removed the front storm door. I dislike this new trend not to have storm doors. I like my main door open all day, and the storm down to have a screen, for fresh air. Its a beautiful house. I do like that the ornamental things on the peaks are gone. They didnt really fit in with the house.

Have you considered replacing the vinyl siding?

We might replace the vinyl at some point but it's too expensive for this year.

You can use a retractable screen if you like the front door open. I too imagine that code may require the railing and it did look nice. When you get around to changing the siding, remove the demi-lune vent cover, re-shape the opening and install a rectangular vent cover to match with the windows. Have you considered a stain for the doors you're changing, and for the posts?

We just painted the posts white. I'll post a picture when we are done. I was hoping for some suggestions in terms of door and garage door colors. We are thinking we could put some stone veneer instead of the white vinyl but only on the facade and keep white vinyl on sides and back of the house.

Adding faux stone to only the front will give your home a "builder's grade" look, and is probably not what you're going for. I suggest wood stain for garage and front door. You get best advice when you post current photos.

I like it much better without the railing.

Landscaping is what you need. Make another post for the Landscape Design Forum. Some of the same people will reply here but not all of them

Wow, this really upgrades the house. Thank you for the photoshop!! it makes a difference to see with the right colors. I really like the idea of matching the garage door to the brick and putting the siding a lighter version. What a great idea! Do you think the door should stay black?

More drama :-))

Is the upper color a dark green or dark gray? I really like this one too! I guess there's no way the white vinyl could look good... That's what I thought. Are you using photoshop to modify the photo? I feel bad that I'm not paying you for all your work. :-)

Color is actually gray/blue. Some kind of Newburg Green by BM. I am happy to help you.

Front door repeats the siding color

Celerygirl- that grey/blue looks fantastic. Simple, clean, dramatic, yet sophisticated.

Celerygirl, as much as I like the blue-grey, I'm not sure I would want that color on my house. It would go well with the neighborhood. If I'm going to change the siding, I would select a earthier, lighter color. I usually gravite towards weathered cedar grays but I guess it wouldn't go with the brick. I wish my husband would let me me paint the brick. Out of the three options I think I prefer the all brown color schema. Maybe I can change the white vinyl for some sort of matching brown vinyl cedar shingles? Thank you all for your help!

I want to show you taupe color with bright door.

They are interesting but my husband and I realize we really like our dramatic black front entrance door. I like the classic look black brings to a home. Thank you so much for these mock-ups, it is quite helpful to see it.