I would not paint this brick!! It’s really pretty!! Is it a must??
If yes I’d maybe maybe do a whitewash.
Yes to beefier posts. You can remove the railing. I like the black metal roof. Wouldn’t bronze it... love the idea of wooden doors. Black or navy shutters and trim. Paint the siding. You don’t need a window box. Unnecessary. I’d add attention to the walkway maybe continue the brick. But you don’t need to. Lighting. And focus on some neat trimmed landscape. Really cute house. Love it!!

very cute home. I would paint trim and siding colors to better compliment the brick. Remove the railing and add straight posts. If possible remove the window mullions.

I agree with the comments posted so far. Do NOT paint the brick. Don’t remove porch railing either - adds function & design. Looks like your porch is high enough that railing required by code - safety issue. Though I like copper roofs, I prefer the existing dark match to your house roof. No planter box - looks skimpy & detracts from bay window. What I would do is expand the planting bed under the bay window to emphasize that feature & make the landscaping look lush & full. Wooden garage doors might be really pretty & front door to match. The current color of your home is ok but it is not the best to show off the pretty brick. I would explore medium green tones - not piney greens - for colors -I’m hopeful those clever Houzzers who do the paint visualizers will post a few options for you with new trim & body paint colors. There are also strong opinions on shutters - I don’t have one so no comment on stay / go.

Add railings on the steps for safety, paint the porch shutters & the front door and spend your money on landscaping. Or even easier, just focus on the landscaping first and you’ll be amazed at the difference it will make with the entire house.

I have to agree; its a perfectly fine house and the brick is very nice! The porch could use a bit of updating with 8x8 posts, but you probably need the railings to stay within local building codes. I think you might want to beef up the top and bottom of the railing so it doesn't look small with the larger posts. You could remove a few of the spindles and do a decorative section for a bit of a change up (see pic below.) If your brick is still available locally, I would widen the steps, adding railings there too. Sad landscaping, walk and siding colors. A deeper flower bed under the bay that wraps the street side of the walk on over to the drive would improve things. I'm not a fan of the corbel trim(or are those decorative lights?) all around the eaves. Not sure how big a project their removal would be. The garage doors are fine; their style really calls for white paint. Actually, the bay siding would look better if it was white too as a balancing element on the right side. I think I would do all the siding in white and let beautiful landscaping, including some ornamental trees out in the lawn, do the trick here. Not sure I would worry with the door and shutters; leave them as they are and make that decision after you tackle the other projects.

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Cottage Exteriors · More Info

Thanks, all, for the feedback. We've been in this house for 20 years, so I'm just ready for something different. The garage doors are new and so is the roof. I've added new landscaping plants along the house - low and different shades of green - and some liriope along the border of the sidewalk since the pic was taken. Interesting that many of you wouldn't paint the brick and would leave the railing. I figured I may have to keep the railing due to code, but maybe I'll replace it. I think I'm more confused than ever! hahaha

Before looks better than after.

When I saw your first picture, I thought that was the "after," as it is such a cute house. I much prefer it to the two possibilities that you posted. I love the brick as is. In both of your "inspiration" photos, the brick steps and porch are replaced with concrete? paint? , both of which make the house looks like it is floating. The brick grounds it and looks much better. Your idea of beefing up the posts is a good one, the railing suits the house. Larger plantings under the bay window. The detailing under the eaves is distracting; I can't tell what it is, but if it can be removed, I'd do that, then concentrate on landscaping. Done!

Landscaping under the bay window not only needs to be larger, it also needs an edging for it to look right. It looks very unfinished. If you beef up the posts, I would try to keep them in a similar design, because the posts you have are not the regular type, that is usually used. The design on your posts does add something. I kind of like the design on the eves, have never seen quite like that before, and it does add a lot to the house.

Here's a closer look at the wood detail on the front of the house. Don't know what it's called, but it is staying.

Hi AJ, I agree with comments above. Yes, it's accents you need. Landscape especially at the bay window.

Also, what about walkway? Later when it's in your budget a nice stone walkway may make a good accent and improvement.

I would darken the trim and paint the siding a similar color. I couldn't get the visualizer to work so the mockup is only partially complete.

Chicago Buff house · More Info

I am another fan of the before.

I also agree that this brick should not be painted. I like painted brick, but only if the original is ugly. what you have here is a classic and timeless red brick. keep it.

I do think this house has way too many little details that remind me of that country style so popular in the 80s. Changes I'd want to make (in this order):

1: square out the garage door frames and get new doors (or at least remove the fake hinges). I don't like the window shape there, but if you have a tight budget, then keeping the door but removing the barn details will help.

2: replace columns with something less curvy. maybe simplify the railing with fewer balusters.

3: simplify the fascia by removing all the little trim pieces.

(I could skip #3 if the first two made enough of an improvement.)