My first suggestions will apply no matter what color combinations you choose. Put shutters only on the brick. Those are the only windows where shutters will fit appropriately. And, whatever the front door color, paint the storm the same. Gray: you need a green undertone to compliment the dark brick. Siding: Horizon Gray Shutters…do in a semi-gloss finish: Desert Twilight Front door and storm: Spice Gold Lovely and different with your brick color.

I'm also in the don't paint the brick camp. As function pointed out you take a zero maintenance product and turn it into a long term maintenance issue. Doing something to get rid of the huge space between the windows would help (additional windows, horizontal siding, etc.) along with painting the trim (the colors you talked about using for the brick would all work), painting the front door to make it a focal point, replacing the wrought iron columns with something more substantial and redoing the landscaping would all have a huge impact on your home. If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

Neat looking house. Would NOT paint the brick. Would paint the exposed metal chimney pipe a heat resistant black. Would repaint all the white trim white. Look up the "c are" instructions for that bush nearest the porch and, if appropriate to do so this time of year, trim it to below window height and a bit back away from the porch post. Would wrap that skinny front porch post to make it sturdier looking and paint it white. You might outline the sidewalk in pavers (tops level with the sidewalk top) to widen the sidewalk -- after creating a flat place between those pavers and the higher dirt/lawn. Then you could plant an outlining row of a low growing plants (such as liriope, if in Zone 7 or if it will grow where you live) to outline the sidewalk and prevent the dirt from washing over the sidewalk. Spider plants will grow faster and might work for the summer but the plants may not survive the winter and whether or not the roots will survive might require covering them in plastic. Then focus on creating a healthy lawn.

What a cute home! Your initial instincts are correct. Start with the “easy” stuff! I like your ideas of removing the rose Bush, painting the front door, changing the location of the house numbers...perhaps to the right of the front door where there is more room. A larger, more visible light and mailbox, too. Then...reassess!