Yes, white windows will look fine, but I think black with black shutters would be striking. Are the current windows wood frame, if so have you looked into having them repaired/refurbished? although I would want the most energy efficient window, not vinyl if I could afford a better material.

I don't care for the row of ottomans across the front -- for one thing they are a bit too tall (rising above the bottoms of the windows) even though well trimmed. I likely would pull out most of them (maybe leave a couple as anchors for a new landscape) and go with a looser, more varied naturalistic and layered (varying heights) combination of flowering shrubs, evergreen plants, perennials and bulbs. Add a little curviness to the planting bed also.

It's a nice looking house. I would keep your traditional existing windows. Install new shutters, with hinges and hardware, that are appropriately sized and look like they would cover your windows when closed. The existing shutters look too narrow. The color also blends too much with the brick and they aren't very visible. Then, I would hire a local landscape designer to come up with a new landscape plan that I can implement over time. If roof needs to be replaced soon, I would choose a darker charcoal gray and then put on black shutters.

I forgot to mention.... the existing windows are wood and rotten. We are planning to do vinyl for energy efficiency. I love the ideas! Keep them coming...

I like the shutter ideas y’all are purposing. Should I change the color of the door?

Any ideas about the chimney cover?

Also, what style of shutter would go with the house?

The house is charming. The bushes are doing the house no favors, a more varied landscape (small trees, ornamentals, etc) would me more appropriate. If the frames are still good an aluminum clad wood sash kit will be much higher quality than most vinyl windows at a similar cost. Get simulated divided lights versus grids between the glass.

As to color for your door- you can really do anything. I happen to love purple with brick... I would just paint the chimney cap black unless it needs replacing.

I’m loving the landscaping suggestions too. Any inspiration pictures?

Looks as though your shutters have faded in color. More contrast would be better IMO. Be careful if you select vinyl windows because the frames are often thicker than the wood and then do not appear authentic. Don't discount aluminum clad windows. Insulation is quite good.

Here are some examples of shutters and better landscaping ideas.

Green shutters would really look nice on the house.

I agree with Halllett - if you need to replace the windows, please replace with simulated or true divided light. IMO, grids between the glass would cheapen the look of your home.

I would give the front door the dignity and status called for by the style of the house. Upgrade the shutters to look/be functional, and place larger urns at ground level right and left of the steps. Hire a pro to work up a plan for a more airy open landscape plan you can install over time to keep costs down.

Bryn Mawr Stone Colonial · More Info

Colonial Touch · More Info

I like the front door color very much and think black shutters would look great. I'd paint the chimney cover black too. I think color plantings on both sides of the walkway and in the urns would really brighten things up. If you think there is too much of the same brick, you could mortar wash the walkway and front porch to break it up a little. Charming!

paint black shutters door red screen door white...add some color shrubs to front .

Darker shutters, for sure. I'm gonna paint them for you in a moment, but I think a bit more natural look to the landscaping would go a long way here.

I love your charming house ! Along with brightening your shutters, I think lining your sidewalk to the door with about a foot wide border/ edging on both sides with low height plant material would give a more polished look between your lawn and sidewalk. Consider lariope grass , lavender, pachysandra , tiny shrub roses .....- just depending upon your climate.A nursery could help with knowledge about plant material if you take them a picture of your house.at the front right behind the pillars you could carve out a small curved mulch bed ( see pic. below ) in which to plant some colorful, welcoming annuals. — For inspiration -

New shutters in white, white windows, a potent door color (many options) & some varied height in your landscaping :)

Meant to say I love the current color of your front door and I would keep it if it were mine. However any color you like will work here.

Storm/screen door should be same color as front door. Post updates.

I love grover's black shutters which are so classic with brick and white trim.

I have a few ideas. Some I attempted to draw, I am not an artist.

Widen the walk to the width of the step. I show just a widened landing in front of the step.

Change the color of shutters. I love the front door color so used a darker shade for shutters.

Remove the back row of shrubs. Let the brick show more.

Move the urns that are blocking the sidelights. That is part of the entrance so it should show.

Trim or remove the small shrubs that are encroaching on the steps.

Make the bed deeper so you can add low perennials and annuals in front of shrubs. I only did the left side.

The right corner is a good place for a small tree or large specimen shrub. Something like a large weigela or hydrangea. I don't know what grows in your area, ask at a nursery.

White windows are fine.

Another vote for keeping the current door color, it is lovely!

Do you have the name of it? I am looking for a blue for my front door.

I have vinyl windows, and yes they are energy efficient, but they do have those heavy thick frames. I agree with your lovely house, you really should price the wood with exterior cladding or maybe fiberglass (not really familiar with that material) for equally if not more efficient and better looking.

I unfortunately don’t know the name of the color for the door. It was painted before we moved it. I think it’s a Sherwin Williams color because all others used on/in the house were SW.

My husband loved the comments and suggestions. We are going to get to work ASAP on the beds as suggested. I am meeting with my contractor today to talk about the windows and shutters.

This is a weird question but could anyone name the style of my house? Is it a Cape Cod?

I would say your house is more French Provincial than Cape Cod ( they can be very similar ). Most capes have wood siding. Brick is more the provincial style.

Posted too soon. The longer, narrower windows are more provincial - the cape has shorter windows . Provincial has steeper roof lines than the cape . I think your house is a mix of the two styles, but I would categorize it more as French Provincial.

I think the dentil molding, entry arch and porch make it more colonial. FP wouldn't have those elements and would be stucco or stone, while a traditional cape would not have that porch or be brick, but likely shakes or clapboard.

Its definitely Colonial Revival style.

A little update! Finally! We are in the process of removing all of the overgrown shrubbery.... now that it’s gone, I’m thinking about shutters and windows. I know I need to go bigger on the shutters. What style do you suggest? I’m also thinking about windows with less grids....

Would this look good (black windows) urban bronze board & batten shutters?

imho your current paneled shutters are the appropriate style for your house- board and batten is far too casual with the columns and dentil moulding.

Agree with Hallett. If you want an upgrade, go for composite or wood. There are many paneled styles to give you a different look. I like your color ideas.

If only it was that easy! Looks great, I prefer the darker shutters...

I like grover's example with the black shutters. Classic.

Replacing the foundation bushes with different and more intersting landscaping would make a world of difference. Alos plant a tree of two and maybe line your walkway with a low growing plant.

This is so helpful! I like both the light and the dark. One more question... getting new windows. What kind of grid? I currently have 9 on 9. I’m thinking of going bigger... also, wood clad with aluminum or wood clad with vinyl? I’m in a hot, southern climate.

And one more question... what app do you use to do these mock ups?

Mlee, I use Photoshop.

6/6:

6/1:

Any love for 6:9 or 4:4? Maybe 4:4 is too modern? I’m also thinking about painting both the trim and door SW Dover White... thought on this? Should I beef up the porch posts a little bit too?

Looking back at earlier suggestions in this thread, someone suggested green shutters. I think I could love that! These are three SW paint colors that I really like and a light fixture style that I was thinking of... would love some feedback on these too

Loving this inspiration house that I found that has a similar door and Rookwood Green shutters.

This one too