sage greens work well, the shutters could go, or be replaced a bit larger. the front door needs to be a pop since its set back, maybe a blue tone. soft yellow trim is nice with this combo

What if you painted the mantle to match the walls? I have a 70s brick fireplace, brick to ceiling by not full width of wall. I've been researching and found instructions on cleaning the brick then putting something on it to help keep it clean and add a bit of sheen. We're not going to paint the brick, but will change the wall color around it and make a new mantle. 2016 version 2017 version Still looking for the right color for the walls. It has recirculating vents with fans to distribute heat. I keep having visions of painting them in hippie colors. So far, I've restrained my self.

I'm usually not one to criticize here on Houzz so let me get this over with now...your house is both a color and architectural disaster. I'm not a fan of the current color...it is not a very pleasant color and is dated, as well. As it is the primary color, I'd start with changing it, then selecting a color for the brick. I'm wondering if you might be OK with the brick in its current state if the other siding is a different color. I am with your husband when it comes to whitewashing brick...it has its place - usually on much older structures - but I don't see it working well with your house. Would the same paint color on the brick and garage door work? The white garage door claims too much attention and shouldn't (it is nearly the home's focal point)...it is just another garage door and nothing special to look at. The white windows are doing a bit of the same thing...calling attention to themselves even though the bay window is a totally different style than the upper-floor windows. You have endless new subdivisions being constructed in Southern California...pay a visit to some of those to check out the current trends in color.

We are thinking about having the beams and post painted to look like wood. it will all be wrapped in hardy which we chose for the easy maintenace. My husband has been researching techniques how to get the wood look. We’ll go ahead n paint all the trim white similar to what we already have with white gutters and keep the white trim on the windows. He’s also researching stsining the brick instead of painting. Do you think a gray color would look good? SW light french gray or go darker? Thank you!