I appreciate all the shutter comments, but they are there to stay. I built the shutters and made my best effort to look like they are the traditional operable. I get what all is saying about the larger window not quite matching up, but to make a realistic the shutters would have to be overly wide and would be overpowering. I built slight archs into them to match up with the transom and have seen other homes done this way. Suppose it's personal preferance at some point. I know my architect was not a fan of shutters anywhere on the home. Getting the landscaping right is the key now.

To get suggestions here about landscaping, it ihelpful if you take photos to both the left and right of the photo first posted along with a little bit about goals, time, energy and interest in gardening. ddd’s sketch above is great and I love how it uses a wall or fence and landscaping away from the foundation to create a sitting area. But that isn’t useful if you live on a busy road or have no time for or Interest in gardening. So spend time thinking about how you might use your yard and look at a lot of photos or landscaping books to get some idea of what appeals to you. Maybe consult with a garden coach or landscape designer to get some direction or a design that you can implement as time and funds allow. Start with hardscape and utilities and then slow growing plants like trees.

Pricklypearcactus, apparently our roof is two different colors. The previous owners were not the best with maintenance and literally did the least amount of work they could to this house, and it shows. I think over the garage is tan and over the rest is a reddish brown? We will definitely be needing to replace the roof in a few years but can't afford it quite yet. I'd probably want to go with something in the grey family as well vs brown.

I knew there is a way to update your beautiful home. Consider spending your limited resources on the front entrance and garage door. FIRST SUGGESTION: 1) Paint the front door, garage surround and window framing (the trim everywhere) a spruce green. (or med brownish green) See the first & second pic. 2) Paint the shutters a butter sand. 3) And now the fun stuff: Add a wood arbor over the front door to focus on a welcoming entrance. Add the same color wood garage door and short arbor as shown in the pic. Continue the same at the back. SECOND SUGGESTION: 1) Paint the front door, garage surround and window framing (the trim everywhere) a blue grey. See the last pic. 2) Paint the shutters a pale grey. 3) And now the fun stuff: Add a wood arbor over the front door to focus on a welcoming entrance. Add the same color wood garage door and short arbor as shown in the pic. Continue the same at the back. (see pic) IMHO I like the first suggestion because it's fresh and new and be a showstopper on your street. The second suggestion is more traditional and sophisticated. After that, we can concentrate on the plantings and landscaping. Hope this helps and please comment on what you think! Suggestion #1 Note the colors: Butter sand for the shutters and brownish green for the garage surround and trim Note the colors: Spruce green, butter sand and arbor. This obviously is a back area but can be adapted to a front entrance. Note Garage door and arbor Suggestion #2: Note colors: Blue grey and pale grey and black window frames and garage trim around wood door