I'm not a big fan of that dark blue with white windows. You've got a charcoal gray roof, so you could go with a lighter gray for the siding which would work better with the white trim. Then you could paint the front door a dark red or burgundy. Like this:

If you decide to keep the shutters, paint them black like they've done here.

Thank you! Appreciate the input. I'm definitely trying for a more modern look... do you think the light gray and red door are more traditional?

Here are two remodels that had the white windows...

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/mid-century-remodel-midcentury-exterior-denver-phvw-vp~148572659

Unfortunately, my house will never be quite as cool but I love this one!

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/kirkland-mid-century-modern-midcentury-exterior-seattle-phvw-vp~147696089

This one is a bit lighter and still looks good with the wood accents :

https://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior-entry-on-left-master-bathroom-on-right-midcentury-exterior-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1291452

The pictures you're showing are all mid-century ranch houses. Yours is not that. It's a split level Cape style so it feels to me like you're trying to make it something it isn't. The only way you'd really achieve a true modern look would be to hire an architect to totally revamp the exterior and the windows.

Is that really a Cape style, @Sabrina Alfin Interiors? Lots of split levels like this in my neighbourhood (neighbour has one and love its spacious layout) and I never realized they were considered a Cape style. Don't Capes have a vaulted or very high ceilings?

ETA: Do agree it's not an MCM style in any case. It's a traditional mid-century style.

A true Cape looks like this:

The OP's home takes elements from a Cape style home and merged it with a split level layout. And because she's in New England, I'd say the Cape look is more in keeping with her location.

This basic style has been morphed by builders to the larger footprints buyers want these days, so the ones with vaulted ceilings are inspired by Cape homes, just as a lot of modern Craftsman homes aren't at all like the originals.

If you’re going for a more modern look I’d actually go for a blue along the lines of what’s there just update it a bit. Or a color in general. Gray has become pretty traditional over the past few years. If you mean “updated” when you say “modern” that’s different to me. I would suggest dark paint colors are more of a trend than a modern design element. If you like dark colors then go for it, but I wouldn’t do gray, and I don’t think it will necessarily give the house a more modern look, it will give it more of a remodeled look, if that makes sense. This type of house can be hard because it seems to read as modern but it’s really not. If you have a long term plan for the exterior you can push it in that direction with some architectural changes, but it really depends on the scope of your project.

Sorry I started reading this earlier and didn’t follow the rest of the conversation :) I completely agree that it’s a confusing style of house. But it’s a lot closer to the style Sabrina mentioned than to a modern house. The way I think about it, it would take a lot more work to make it “modern” than it would to give it a “refreshed” cape look. You’d have to make architectural changes to push it in the modern direction, such as removing the shutters, changing out windows, etc. If you’re staying in this house and that’s what you want to do I’m sure you can get some great advice on that! If you’re just looking to paint, I think you can refresh the house with a color and it’ll look great, and feel more modern than a dark or gray color would :)

Great posts, @EvaElizabeth! The terms "modern" and "updated" get mixed up often. Totally agree "updates" (I do prefer your term of "refresh") are easier (and usually more harmonious) when in keeping with the house style.

ETA: Found this pic of a more MCM-leaning split level.

Can't get a visual of the video when I reach the link but do get the sound. I think a lot can be achieved with landscaping. Not suggesting OP go full steam ahead in the MCM direction but perhaps some ideas can make sense for the house. Personally, I find the colour in the inspo pic very heavy and not harmonious to the house's style.

The split level house gives you so many opportunities. You can do all one color or so 2! OR paint and stone or wood.

Here are a few pics I stumbled across that seem pretty nice!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

good portion of that house is hidden behind too many green shrubs and trees. Are you planning on pruning anything?

I don't mind the dark colors, but the shutters would have to go, and you might think about redoing the windows. diff shape, and color.

this one is an amazing before and after. used the blue/gray color

complete make-over:

here' are a few similar splits

these were completely redone for a more modern exterior

Your house is a classic split ranch style. Beth gave you some great photos where the paint job gave it a good update. I’ve seen them in the dark charcoal you like, but then you need to give other features a chance to be highlighted (like a cedar front door and matching garage door; white trimmed windows).

I just want to reinforce that if the windows are vinyl keep the trim white otherwise the windows look really skimpy. Red from doors scream ‘traditional’ to me so if are trying to me more modern I would use yellow, lime green, etc.

Concur shutters off, keep trim white. While your house isn’t MCM I think Beth’s examples show you can move toward that look.

Thanks for the input everyone! Very helpful. I will plan on keeping the trim white and removing the shutters and play around with a few color choices. I definitely plan to add some cedar accents so the darker colors may work out with that but maybe not as dark as I originally was planning. I do not like the powder blue theme AT ALL (matches the tub and toilet inside!) so trying to mix it up and make it more modern. I will also try to clear some of the vegetation - the previous owner was a big gardener, which is great but do agree there is a lot going on in the front! I definitely have my work cut out for me... the inside is basically original everything :) Wish me luck!

Keep us posted!

I like your original idea best - dark gray with blue undertones, wood accents.

Someone in our neighbourhood did it and it looks great. In real life it doesn't look as as blue as this picture looks. The yard is edged with a Corten steel that looks wonderful with the wood. These pictures are sort of dark and don't do it justice. The wood and Corten accents are the "orange" that is the complementary colour to the "blue". For your house, a wood garage door and/or front door would look great if your budget allows.

For landscaping, continue the MCM theme with lots of grasses and architectural plants such as yucca.

I agree that light/medium gray with a red door would look too country which is not the look you are going for.