Is that real stone or vinyl siding with a stone look? I think the worst problem is that the red trim does not look good with the siding or stone. I'd pick a softer, lighter peachy brown that goes with the brick and the cream siding for all the trim.

Obviously, replacing the siding is an option, but that might be quite expensive.

I’d take the major tan in the stone mix and paint everything (trim and siding) that color; windows possibly one shade lighter. I think it would visually reduce the choppiness of the front projection and window placements. As an example, maybe Beached Clay? https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-collection/vinylsafe-colors-for-vinyl-siding

To my eye it's the dark brown trim that's the immediate problem. If you don't want to paint the entire house, I'd look for a more subtle trim color that complements both the siding and the stone. Hopefully one of the Houzz color fairies will help with color suggestions. Then . . . landscaping.

Is the siding as yellow as it looks?

I would call it buttery cream… ?

I appreciate all of the insights!!!

Could you take a picture straight on the front?

I think if you just paint all the trim white, and the downspouts and foundation to match the house it will be fine.

​I had a similar thought to N Johnson. To me, the gray roof seems to be out of kilter with everything else. I wonder how old the roof is and whether it could be replaced down the road. And if you do decide to paint the siding, paint the foundation too. You don't want contrast there. Aside from your planned deck, more landscaping will always help.

Is the room at the front a later addition? To my eye, it's the most attractive feature, but the stone on the wall of the main part draws the eye away from it. The stone is probably a veneer (or vinyl) and not integral to the construction.

I agree that painting all the trim white will really go a long way to improving the curb appeal. You also could paint the stone to match the siding. Then focus on landscaping.

I agree...paint ALL the trim an off white, not a bright white. See houssaon's mock up. Perfect! The stone at least needs a white wash....it stands out too much. Landscaping next...

Here is is from the front.

Nancy, I included a picture of the roof in the original post because it’s really browns and a little grey in the shingles. The picture with the full house surprises me at how grey it looks.

Houssaon, is the color of the siding in your mock up colored or is it my actual siding?
And have you experienced painted natural stone that you have liked? I have only seen painted brick - which I like. But I have heard more than once that painting the stone would look bad. (I have no experience here)

It looks like the stone continues inside the front room, is that correct? I’m not a fan of painting the stone which has a lot of interest. Maybe one of the lighter colors in the stone would work, but they make very good vinyl paint right now. I wish celery was on this thread right now — maybe a greige that would blend the lighter stone and the roof would work? If you cover up the left side of the house and look at the right side and roof, your house looks rather classy.

Yes, the stone is the wall inside my enclosed porch. Which I don’t mind as much as I do the outside wall. The inside porch enclosure is a chocolate brown. It just doesn’t fight the stone as much as the siding color. I will include a picture of the inside of the porch for reference.

& classy?!? Thank you that gives me hope!
I’ve been trying to solve this since August and my mind is exhausted.

Also, NJohnson, I held the bleached clay (0n my phone) up to the stone and it feels like a nice match. I wish I could find it in the Sherwin Williams app to “paint” the house but they don’t have it there.

Can you remove the big star? It's, well, large and not very attractive, and it calls out for attention.

To me, also in upstate NY, the star screams TEXAS.

That stone for me is nothing to write home about, I would get rid of it in a minute, or paint, rombio, whitewash it or whatever. Houssan's rendition is so so much better looking with the outside all the same color. Surprisingly I like the stone on the interior, go figure.

Yes. I’ve been meaning to fling the star down the street since I bought it. Lol just haven’t gotten to it yet. It is definitely going. Afraid the siding might be discolored under it.

Fling the star! Another reason to paint!

Ok, so what jumps out to me are the windows on the left side above the triple. Normally I would never close in a window...but look how it balances out the house when you do:. And I gave it a little paint job. : )

Wow! And some flowers too! Thank you! What paint colors did you use? And would you leave the gutter downspouts the current dark brown?

No particular paint colors...I just used a soft white for the trim & picked up a light beige from the stone. Painted the door green because it needed some zap. I would probably paint the downspout as close to the stone color as possible so it disappears...if you want to get really fancy, change the straight concrete entry path to something nicer and curvier.

Thank you, & yes, I am planning to have a curve to the walkway once the front deck is in.

My research on lime washing natural stone brought me to these examples. The first fireplace is very close to what is on my house.

But Jean, I do like the idea of working with it - instead of against it. Your rendition looks great!

Thank you. There are also companies that sell stain for bricks and stones. You could maybe stain pieces that you don't care for. www.dyebrick.com is one. Stain being not so thick as paint.

Thanks, I looked them up - very interesting!

Looks like your mortar may match the roof color.

Look at Cabot stains and paints.

For the stone?

Consider a darker truer brown for the body. The paint now is too pink.

Understand that you think you want to leave the stone (it may be just a veneer). Just for inspiration, in case you reconsider a lime wash:

https://www.sarahnick.com/2020/06/before-after-white-painted-brick-house-exterior.html

for everything - it has a pallet of colors thst are natural and will help you find the tones that will pick up the stone or mortar. The fence is another tone you should consider in the overall scheme.

The windows on the peak, the stone inside the front porch, the window inside the porch says that was a later add on to me. I agree working with the stone is your best bet since it's inside too. #1DD just purchased a home that yours reminds me of. Lots to do to these post war homes. Have fun!!! If you expand your front steps/decking to the right with maybe even a pergola, perhaps the brick won't be so loud and proud as the back drop to a nice front patio.

Pick a color from the stone for the siding. Paint the downspouts to match the walls. The rest of what is currently brown should be an off-white.

If you choose a fun color for the front door, make sure the storm door matches it.

Front door light should be 1/3 the height of the door (yes, that big). Get new snazzy house numbers.

Add landscaping and you've upped the curb appeal significantly. It looks like a fun project. Post updates!

If you could change the outside mortar to a lighter color (stain? paint? repoint?) the stone would look entirely different.