Update: We painted the gutters and soffits Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath and the columns and windows the same color, but desaturated. Changed out the lights, updated furniture, removed shutters and added horizontal fence/gate. We ripped up the hedges in our beds and planted birds of paradise, gingers, a banana tree and vincas. Over time they will fill nicely. Our beautiful oak tree's roots are right below the walkway, and we decided it wasn't wise to mess with it. The week we finished, our dream home down the block went up for sale, and we made an offer. Thankfully since we have invested so much time and love into our home (with a lot of guidance from Houzz) and it sold within 24 hours. So we passed the "finish line" for our current home, and will thankfully we able to admire her beauty when walking the neighborhood. Thanks everyone for your input, and I hope the pictures help others looking to update a side century ranch home!

CC There should be covers for the base of posts. (newel post). the covers hide the screws/fsteners at the base. Maybe call the supplier of the railing or the hardware store, big box store. I will try and find a photo for you. Thompson's will last for a year and is easy to apply will roller. The benefit is it doesn't build up and a quick sand with a drywall pole sander will have it ready to seal. I wouldn't seal the parts that haven't greyed down. It will peel if it is not ready. it appears that whoever built the railing forgot to finish it. They snap on and finish the job. do you know where he purchased railing supplies. below is an example https://www.homedepot.ca/product/railblazers-aluminum-railing-post-base-cover-in-black/1001006802 https://www.homehardware.ca/en/search?query=aluminum+post+base+cover

CUTE home!! I’d probably remove the shutters. Except the ones on the porch. And I’d leave the brick for now. I agree to leave the railing. Your home is super craftsman, traditional, quaint, well kept, and calming. I would not add modern features. I’d probably paint the house the color of the trim now. And maybe paint the shutters a pale light blue. If you want something more basic just repaint em black. Maybe a less ornate glass inside the door. You can also wrap the porch columns in wood. And maybe add wood boxes. Both of which are totally unnecessary. Your house really does not need a lot. It’s very nice as is!!!

I would never paint the brick. Too many folks do that these days...and one day it's gonna be an ugly mess when folks want to remove that (later owners or whatever)...or b/c moisture gets built up behind the bricks (b/c they can't breathe). I'd pop a beautiful vine to grow on a tall trellis so that it surrounds the entire front door for a stately appearance. But of course, you need normal landscaping too. You'd probably be amazed at how some simple landscaping would soften the front of your home's appearance. I'd also want to lighten the front door color....since it seems so shaded. SHUTTERS: I personally don't prefer the current shade of gray on your shutters. I think you could find a color that pleases your eye more. Have you considered removing the bottom-floor shutters on the main part of your house (leave the garage ones and the top-floor ones)....and make the front door more of the focal point? Sometimes that's more of a hassle than it's worth...b/c then the part of your brick that was under the shutters may need a special cleaning. . Like others mentioned above, before doing any major overhaul (including removing shutters), I'd: 1) landscape (for sure) and 2) try to make the colors be more pleasing to your eye (ie. find shutter colors to. And yes, as someone mentioned, I personally would like a darker....if you're ever at the point of replacing the roof. I think this house would be prettiest with browns being it's color point...and no gray involved. But you have it now...and just need to work with it....and not against it. . Use this color tool. Find at Sherwin Williams a beige color chip that matches your brick. That way, you can try to match colors to your brick color. For instance, I just guessed at the color of your brick and chose Kilim Beige as your color & it showed these corresponding colors. -- . https://www.sherwin-williams.com/painting-contractors/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6106-kilim-beige You could play around with it. Of course, you could use any color tool. I just googled and used this SW one. You'd be amazed at how much more you'd like your homes appearance if you have matching colors & landscaping, I think. :)