I have absolutely no issues with using the proclassic primer and didn't need to practice with it at all. I guess I just don't get that. I also have used many a brush, but like the nylon for this application. I don't have brush strokes...but I don't paint as much as a pro so perhaps it's use and use and use :) I think that people are reading the information in my clipping incorrectly. The COLOR code I put in there is for a color called Woodsey Brown which is an exterior color (you typically get more deep tones in exterior colors) but the PAINT is NOT and exterior paint. Just the color! The proclassic primer adhears to ANY surface, without sanding. I love the stuff because I've used it on some very glossy surfaces and it's held like magic! I do wash surfaces and make sure they're free of dust and dirt, but I rarely sand anymore. My professional painter was very skeptical but is now sold on the quality of these two products together. The primer is a gem, and the quality of the top coat is wonderful as well. I like a high quality finish and a strong finish as well...and together these two will give you that in any combination of colors ;)

No paint brick - that would be putting an inferior finish over a quality item. Its a nice variegated brick, not the heavy orange type that some people complain about. An argument might be made for applying a masonry stain to tone down a color... not that it needs it... but to put an opaque high maintenance plastic coating (eg acyrlic) isnt a good idea for the long term. I wholeheartedly agree w/above suggestions to remove the fake tudor and rethink those spaces under the eaves and around the windows- even just simple paint in a well-chosen brown that bridges the brick and roof colors would be a big improvement. Sometimes less is more, and I would argue that a handsome house in natural brick or stone and muted nature-colors is often the most beautiful house on the block. Then, you could put your $ and effort into some really lovely landscaping & perhaps pillars but I wouldnt get carried away with reinventing the architecutral elements - its very nice & balanced as is. Is that the view from the side? Looks like the street is off to the left?

I second the fence idea. Further south on the eastern seaboard there could be some BLEs that would make sense in such a dark location but I've spent enough time in Boston and environs to say - just go with a fence. Floral - total aside but FWIW, ferns are the least likely plant group to be bothered by temperatures higher than their native environments - AS LONG AS IT'S HUMID AND DOESN'T DRY OUT. A few Dicksonia are even known to grow in Florida, although they need a very good spot and very good soil and watering during droughts. But heat and humidity - in and of themselves - will not kill them. I have grown, for example, Woodwardia fimbriata from the chilly coastal PNW, it seemed to love our summers and one of the only plants from that part of the world for which that can be said to be true. (Seq. sempervirens being another one of them - provided it has well drained soil) It survive the winter before the polar vortex and was getting some size, unfortunately polar vortex 1 wiped it out. (along with the wonderful Lygodium japonicum, which is an invasive weed in Florida but would never be up here) It getting so cold the soil even froze below deep snowcover was devastating for a lot of borderline plants around here. Although that just makes it more remarkable that some did survive, like my hardy clone of Phormium tenax. Killed to the base but vigorously (for one of those!) resprouted in spring.

Thanks! The name “Colonial White” is deceiving. I wouldn’t really call it a white at all IMO. It’s more of a very light beige. So you’re saying I should stick to Pittsburgh for the trim since I used them for the walls too? I think the reason I went with SW for the trim was because I wanted something that would hopefully be easy to get (or color match) years down the road if I needed a touch up. But I didn’t realize that their “Pure White” was so off white. Hopefully the Pittsburgh would continue to be easy to get since it’s untinted, I just feel like they discontinue their paints/change their formulas a lot.