No shutters there are no windows that should have shutters why are you rplacing those nice black windows which BTW are more expensive than white. A new front door and removale of those big awkward bushes . Good choice for replacing the arched window. IMO these houses look best with great MCM landscaping and a MCM door both of which is where I would spend my money. If you could find matching brick it would look okay but unless you are removing the brick and replacing it all with stone forget it.

Get rid of the shutters. They're improperly sized and add nothing to the home.

Thank you for the suggestions. We are replacing the black windows because most of them are 32+ years old and the seals are failing. Also, the newer windows are so much more energy efficient. I wanted to try white for a change. I prefer a more classic traditional look over the popular modern look, even though our house was built somewhere around 1959. Currently the brick is only under the picture windows and wrapping around to the left side of the porch. We were thinking of removing it and replacing it with ledge stone but don't know if this would make the house look unbalanced since there is only horizontal siding on the next two sections of the house where the bedroom windows are. Thank you again for your suggestions!

Can you change your window order to black, which would suit the style of the house and add the character you're looking for. Absolutely no shutters. Go to a small garden center and have them design a good plan for your landscaping, which will add so much to more to your house than ill-advised shutters and all kinds of chopped up colors and finishes.

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Go to the paint store and try out colors on their colorizing machines to see what goes with

a gray roof since it takes up a lot of visual space. Better yet, hire a color consultant. Once you decide on a color, change the door color to something that stands out--red, cobalt blue,

Thank you for the replies everyone. No we can't change the window order and we actually did consult a designer before I ordered the windows. I asked her opinion on the white windows and she was fine with it knowing I wanted a classic traditional, timeless look. I actually never considered my house to be a MCM. I have an original photo somewhere taken by an appraiser when it was built. I considered it more of a California Rancher with a little Cinderella Rancher thrown in. It has had shutters since it was built, the only difference is that they have been updated over the years getting rid of the chipped edge look. The window with the diamond leaded glass was replaced and the rounded facia boards which extended past the roof by about 4 feet were cut back. I mentioned we are open to getting rid of the shutters we're just wondering how to add more interest or color if we did. It is such a long house, I don't want it to look boring.. A MCM look would not fit in in this old country-like neighborhood. It would stand out. We do have an Eichler neighborhood nearby where that would fit right in. Thanks again.

Black adds drama. If you want more transitional style, then go with lighter colors. Keep in mind that whatever you put on the house may be magnified in the light for color somewhat. If you don't have the shutters, window boxes as pictured above will help give more visual interest to the home. Be sure to see what other similar houses have had similar changes, and why they look good.

calgal, we also live in an older CA neighborhood with mostly CA ranch homes. Several homes have shutters, though most are not sized right...and/or the house and windows are the wrong style. It's good to know you're open to removing the shutters. Along with the wrong style, your windows are really too wide for them. Whether functional or decorative, each shutter should be half the window's width. That would be problematic in your case. A wide trim around the windows might be a better choice.

Your house is very nice. I like that your roof has the peaked section vs just one long, low roof line across the front. Our CA ranch house has some peaks, too. Just a preference for us.