why shouldn't you go dark? I think it would look nice.

what I would do is spruce up your landscaping, make your columns more modern by going w/a square wood post, and think about redoing the portico to something less colonial.

If you redid your portico like they did here (open it up in the middle) and did more modern posts, a new door, paint the brick, you could have this look

not bad. do a white or a soft grayish blue brick color. I like this style door too.

Want to stay w/the colonial look? try redoing the gabled portico w/shake

This one is also more traditional. just tweak the gable on what you have, new door, lights, and give the brick a soft gray/green color.

I photoshopped this after photo onto your house. even w/the white windows it could work. look at something like Kendall Charcoal. love the landscaping on this one

love this landscaping and the creamy brick color. the wood accents really work here.

more modern. do your portico like this

want more mcm style? try this

I love a good black ranch!

this one has the white windows w/the black. paired w/a flowerbed, black mulch, bright flowers, new modern front door, and redo you portico and posts, this would be fine.

more classical style w/a dark brick. Use Romabio Masonry lime 'paint', and tint it to a dark gray.

remove the colonial portico and redo the yard and walkway like this