Really cute house! The shutters need to go altogether. I kinda like red brick.

Im no design expert so I’m just here to say I highly recommend the romabio limewash. We used it, super easy to DIY and super forgiving. They have great stock colors but you can also tint it same as you would paint so options are endless.

that all being said I don’t hate your brick. it’s not nearly as offensive as our was on our 60s ranch. Removing the shutters is a no brainer.

House is super cute! Siding is easy to paint, so get your rollers out. All the shrubs need to go. I would love to see the brick lime washed, and a soft saggy green painted on the siding. No shutters. But lots of paint combos would work - any colors you particularly like?

One problem with removing the shutters - which need to go - is the window trim seems to only be on three sides of the windows.

awesome house! Congratulations! I like the roofline and stance. Simple but bold. I am also pro red brick but anti shutters.

Painted wood look (board and batten, maybe) in white where the aluminum siding is and painted brick. Keep some shutters, just update them

I would remove the shutters. They are so wrong for the windows. Paint any red the same color as the siding or white. Trim the bushes with hand pruners and shears into a natural shape smaller on the top.

Cute house! It’s okay that the window trim is only on three sides - you should still remove the shutters. They are on the brick so it’s a natural transition. I wouldn’t do board and batten as I think you need to stick with a more mid-century look given the great lines of your house.

@HALLETT & Co. just curious what makes limewash inappropriate here? It can be applied in a way where full coverage is achieved. Is it a matte/chalky finish you dont like for this style of home?

Yes. I’m generally tired of mid century brick being altered because every Reno around me includes painting the brick (grey brick, white trim, turquoise door). It’s a good enough formula but there is so much more that can be done... That rant aside matte paint/ German shmear/ etc reminds me of traditional European architecture so works well on American revival styles. I just don’t see it on a mid century modern home.

I would keep the brick in its original condition. It's not at all offensive. Instead, definitely remove the shutters and consider painting the siding in a dark gray/green or dark gray to bring a more modern look back to the house. Keep the soffits, fascia, and window trim white. Then pull the shrubs in front and replace with snake plants or grasses for a more period appropriate look. Good luck with your project!

Thank you all so much!! This was so so helpful! Def won't do limewash and now I probably won't paint the brick.

I’d be inclined to paint the aluminium siding a dark grey, no shutters. I think the big impact will be landscaping, making the entryway a real feature. Love the house and the brick

@HALLETT & Co. why do you suggest vertical siding instead of horizontal? and what do you think about painting the siding a gray or green as others have suggested? too trendy?

The house is great,,,i wouldn’t change anything except maybe painting the siding a sort of art deco color..maybe a pale lime green?...if you dont like the siding maybe pull a little off to see what is underneath..if there is an original build finish underneath ...i would try to restore or replicate that...to preserve the striking and authentic style of the home...

The horizontal siding looks like a 1980’s update to me, all the mid century houses I have seen like this have vertical siding in this area. They weren’t trying to emulate traditional housing styles, so they would not have used traditional materials.

can't thank you enough for all your help. you are correct - i found the original warranty of the current siding and it is from the 80s. would the original siding have been wood? and the vertical siding you are referring to is not considered board and batten, correct?

have been looking at a lot of my neighboring houses i do see all the vertical siding. what about using a gray or green for the color on the vertical siding? @HALLETT & Co.

@btydrvn thank you for your input and the compliment! i didn't think of my house as "striking"! In fact, I didn't love it much at all for the style. But I have come to appreciate it so much more, esp from comments like yours :) will have to think about the art deco color idea. i do love color and wd love for it to look even more striking but not in a garish way. the house across the street from me is purple with yellowish-green trim. i think i am the only one in the neighborhood that likes it!

Are the windows paintable or are they white vinyl? Most houses I have seen from this period had T 111 or 6” v groove tongue and groove but product availability is regional but both of those were popular choices mid century due to trends coming from California.

One point to note...there is very little siding..so the color can be a little bolder without feeling overdone...a safer green may be a pale sage color...which is often used with brick ...but i think a little more drama is called for due to the style of the home...

Also..unless you are now driven toward authenticity..the horizontal siding does add another subtle effect that accents the different materials and elongates the home a little...

Nice home and yard.

Would live in this home a while before making any major -- especially any expensive -- changes.

Would definitely remove those shutters -- you could save them to reuse them in a patio later.

As you consider what you want to do now, also consider long term expenses and effects. Painting or otherwise altering the brick would not only cost you more in long term maintenance, it would muck up the MCM vibe and decrease the resale value of the house.

A better idea would be to wait until your budget and the seasons permit, and change out the aluminum siding to siding you like better. It could be a different a totally different look, even a stone or natural wood look -- even vertical board&batten.

In the meantime, if you truly hate the color, you could thoroughly clean and then paint the aluminum siding and that narrow window trim that is the same color as the shutters.

Also, you might check out ways to move the water from the downspout away from the house without having a horizontal length of gutter visible. You might build a short curb or fence in front of it or build a planter atop it or go the more traditional routes for burying a downspout gutter.

A watering can for a chuckle: https://slavinhi.com/how-to-hide-gutter-downspouts-2018/

Since you don't have a porch, as warm weather is about to return, you might consider a modern stainless steel ceiling fan to replace the overhead light in the carport if you think you might want the sheltered area to be usable as a seating area. With that in mind and turning around your vehicle in mind, and guest parking in mind, at some point you might consider adding a concrete parking space across from the front door in front of the utility room.

The shrubs that are nearly as large as the gutter might need to be trimmed. Do some research and identify the shrubs and find out what is recommended to maintain them.

You have a really nice home and don't NEED to make major changes now. Enjoy your new digs.

As others have pointed out the shutters are probably not authentic...but to me they dont register as shutters (as they are so tiny) but seem more like a subtle trim feature...but they do present a potential pitfall if the areas beneath them are a different shade...if you remove them take care to be able to re-install if that is a problem you don’t want to deal with now

The original wood was very likely vertical, not board and batten, and a dark brown. I do love that look on the MCM houses. My parents' house had it and in the 80's they replaced it with horizontal beige siding just like yours. It was so trendy at the time but now I just feel sadness that it wasn't left original.

Your would look great in a dark dull brown.

This kind of wood siding would look great as a replacement for your yellow aluminum siding:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21019105/build-a-new-home-with-a-mid-century-modern-vibe

Found this article that seems relevant:

\https://midmod-midwest.com/mid-century-brick/

Here are a few directions you could go; just be sure you use Romabio if you change the brick color.

PBH Keith Heights · More Info

Mid-Century Modern in White Rock · More Info

Mid Century Modern Renovation · More Info

Woodway Mid Century Modern Remodel · More Info

@decoenthusiaste thank you!!

thank you for the article !! @suezbell