Planning to remove the top metal above the door but what color paint for outside trim and door would you recommend? Wish I could paint the brick but not happening.

I can't believe we are doing it.....but.....we are selling our 2600 sf craftsman and moving around the corner to a 1500 sf 1980's ranch. Hello downsizing! Majority of the budget is consumed by the interior update and back porch addition. Painting the brick is not a option...at least, not now. I have a few ideas for a facelift and would appreciate advise/opinions. Remove tiny porch columns and railing. Replace with three cedar (stained) columns. Replace storm door with a cedar (stained) storm door. Definitely remove shutters from window under porch (wrong size) I'm not sure about removing all shutters. I don't think the existing shutters are the correct size. But I am concerned that removing them would make the home too plain. I would like to add cedar window boxes...I think. :) Shingles are dark grey. I really need help with paint colors for trim. I am considering removing the window muntins and painting the window sills black (inside and out) and trimming with a creamy white. Yikes! Make me nervous!! The windows are all wood and in excellent condition. If I keep the shutters, what color? Charcoal, Dark Blue/Navy, Olive Green? Of course, the landscaping will be redone. I really need some advise on exterior color choices and some of my ideas. I love this little ranch. She is so adorable! My style is mostly transitional - nothing too trendy.

Sorry, but I've never understood why owners would take an item that requires very little maintenance (brick) and paint it, making it something that will require maintenance more often. The original poster commented that they have a fondness for the their brick on the house, and it goes all the way around the first floor. So much more labor intensive to change all the brick than just on the front of the house. My first thought when I looked at the original posting was that I'd change the railing on the second level to a black iron railing that blends with the other accents of the house and is less obtrusive to the second floor sitting area. Someone else also suggested this change of the railing. Personally I like the current paint color of the second floor. But maybe instead of black as an accent color, try charcoal or a deep bronze or even a navy blue. I think someone suggested SW Iron Ore or SW Urbane Bronze.

Thanks so much for all of these ideas! I've already pruned the rhodo significantly and am working on the Japanese laurel (I think it will need to be removed completely as its base is only a foot from the foundation). Planning to add a box wood to the left of the door and do some edging soon. @simplynaturalLove your ideas. Interestingly, there were blue shutters on the house when we bought it (see picture) but I took them down because I didn't like the blue. I agree the black looks much better, especially if we go with a gray roof. @housegal200We actually have 2 Japanese maples in the front! Old picture from the summer added to show the more mature one. Is this what you were thinking?