A few suggestions (plants not specific as don't know where you are) ... Think I would paint door, door frame & posts just white. Shutters, one of the greyed teals. Explore color on one of the paint mfg. websites where you can upload photo (a better one w/ less shadows) and see changes ... like @ Valspar.com.

Thanks for the responses! I'm sorry the example pic is so terrible. It's just a pic I found on the web and not my mom's Christmas table, I swear. Sue and Yayagal, those are the two colors I thought of right away! Glad to know I'm thinking in the right direction. Fun, love your suggestions about scrapbook paper. I know that will definitely help my mom with visualizing a color. And I really like the fabric idea too. I'm hoping I can convince my mom that the old red and cream buffalo check cafe curtains have had their day and fabric behind the dishware would bring nice texture back in the room. I will try to get a picture this weekend when I go visit her. She lives two hours away and is not computer savvy. I wanted to get some direction before I went so that we could get started. My youngest brother is moving out this month (he bought the house next door....we joke that one day he will leave the block!), so it will be just she and my dad for the first time in 35 years. She is going to downsize the big table in the middle of the room (she still has a large table in the DR for family gatherings) for a smaller breakfast nook in the corner by the windows and put a moveable island in its place.

Add light fixtures to the two front door areas. Repair the concrete retaining wall next to the small unit driveway. Add large house numbers. If you live there and can water plants, add two basketball-size or bigger pots with colorful flowers to each entryway.

Usually, I don’t comment too much in regards to others posts but I have a couple of things that I disagree with from above posts. Your house is traditional not contemporary. Vines are a bad idea and messy for next to the garage area. Keep the entry clean and simple with as suggested earlier....seasonal wreaths and pots that match and attractive. As in the above photo you can see that if you plant shrubs next to the garage keep them small and simple not intruding on the walkway. Seriously check out the roots on the tree to make sure they will not damage plumbing. If not then consider planting things like caladiums or begonias underneath in a simple bed. Your lot is not giant so don’t overcrowd but do add some nice small shrubs and plantings. Look at Home Town redos to see how they complimented the houses or Joanna Gaines makeovers. i seriously planted my last house out front but we lived on a hill of 7 levels almost an acre difficult to mow so we removed grass and planted gardens with a walkway because the house was bland and the front porch was its charm Plus a brick wall 10 feet high And it had to be deerproof. I still love my last yard and what we created but our ages won out so we have a more simple yard now. I will always miss my past two yards which we’re completely different but kept me interested and challenged me. This may be your starter home or forever home but stay true to the character of the house and simply give it a nice dress to put on. Think four seasons so that 6 months out of the yard there won’t be an empty yard with no interest. I still like small compact nandinas for the pop of color in winter and they are noninvasive like the taller variety and are a lovely shade of rich green when fertilized in warm weather. your area is hot and humid. When you are able go to the botanical garden in Dallas and check out the gardens For ideas. Try to enjoy your effort and not an “it will do“ philosophy.....remember, this is your home. Create something to be proud of. Signing off.......