Often times you see Mediterranean homes with wrought iron bars , done in a pretty design, in the entry way. It looks like you could put a set of bars between each column, with a set of wrought iron doors in the center. I think that could look really cool and add to the style of your home as well as keep you safe. You could have flowering vines running up the bars. You would have to find someone who does that sort of work, it will be pricey. Another option is to put a doorway from garage to the office, it looks like you have a built in desk on that wall, but it could still be done. I never understand why people put a garage on a house without an inside entrance...does not make sense.

Yes...very nice house! I would NOT paint the brick but maybe a German smear. Paint the rest of the house a soft white or something light. I would keep the house color light due to the amount of roof exposure. To me, a lighter color will give the house more focus and not let the roof take over. Lots of color options for the door and shutters. I would not add shutters to the double windows. They're too large for properly sized shutters. I don't have a photo, but my sister has a Dutch colonial. The siding is painted a soft white and the trim and front door are Benjamin Moore's Tarrytown Green. Though not a Dutch colonial, I do have a photo of my brother's brick colonial. Tarrytown Green was also used on it. Love it with the brick and white trim.

Everybody has an opinion, which you asked for, but you have to do what is best for you in your neighborhood. If you are replacing the siding and thinking about doing all the work of painting brick, maybe you should just remove some of that brick altogether. If you leave some of it, have it be lower and even across...maybe 1/3 of the height of the walls instead of half. Keep the excess brick for edging or patio like someone else suggested. I liked the trim-work you added. Definitely do not paint the garage door the same as the front. Keep it in the lighter tone of your siding color choice. This way the front door is a focal point. Do not replace the garage door if it is not needed. There's no reason to add the expense ($1700 or more). I would use the existing shrubs as background to a much larger planted area. Allow budget for mulching that planting bed and, for what it's worth, consider using rubber bark mulch. It definitely is more expensive, but it is worth it in the long run if you're planning on living there. Rubber bark does not attract termites or roaches, it doesn't fade, it doesn't disintegrate, and it doesn't blow away so it doesn't need to be replaced every 2 years like bark mulch. It keeps tires out of the landfill! Anyway, updating is a great idea, but keep in mind why you are choosing to do so. If you are going to live there, spend what you want. If you are updating to sell, keep your budget as low as possible because you won't recoup much of it and expenses can only be subtracted from profits on the house. If you're losing money on the house then not even the realtor fees are deductible. Best of luck with your project!

First thing I would do because I really dislike asymmetrical front doors with a single sidelight: Replace the front door with only a door & no sidelight. If that door is less than 36" then absolutely a wider door. Center the door in the opening and then trim it out with wider/ beefier trim to hide any needed infill. I would leave brick as is and replace the wood and horizontal siding to match. A sagey green would work nicely with the brick. Or pick an earthy, darker color from the brick for the siding. Can't see enough detail on the chimneys. Either paint them or, if made of brick that matches the front brick, get them blasted/ restored to original. Remove the shutters on the first floor and replace the louvered 2nd floor shutters with raised panel ones.