Thanks for the responses! I'm sorry the example pic is so terrible. It's just a pic I found on the web and not my mom's Christmas table, I swear. Sue and Yayagal, those are the two colors I thought of right away! Glad to know I'm thinking in the right direction. Fun, love your suggestions about scrapbook paper. I know that will definitely help my mom with visualizing a color. And I really like the fabric idea too. I'm hoping I can convince my mom that the old red and cream buffalo check cafe curtains have had their day and fabric behind the dishware would bring nice texture back in the room. I will try to get a picture this weekend when I go visit her. She lives two hours away and is not computer savvy. I wanted to get some direction before I went so that we could get started. My youngest brother is moving out this month (he bought the house next door....we joke that one day he will leave the block!), so it will be just she and my dad for the first time in 35 years. She is going to downsize the big table in the middle of the room (she still has a large table in the DR for family gatherings) for a smaller breakfast nook in the corner by the windows and put a moveable island in its place.

Thank you for all the great ideas! We're definitely going to go with a wood door and I can see that removing the shutters completely is a good idea, although I wonder if I could get away with just one pair in the larger window. I do want to get away from the brown though and go with a lighter color (maybe light taupe) for the entire house (including the parts painted brown). My husband would like to put some scallops up there like some other houses in the area have. We plan on replacing the wood fence with a brick wall. I'm also trying to talk him into adding a "porch" by replacing the bushes in front of the house (which are old and woody) with brick and putting a trellis in that area designed to look porch-like. I've seen some in the neighborhood that look really nice. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!

Removal of all the mushroom shrubbery would make the biggest impact, as would the removal of the shutters flanking the door. I don't care for the dated scalloped trim band in the middle and would switch that out. Pressure wash the walks, Plant up some mums in pots at the door for the fall and you have a good start. Plan to update the landscaping with professional guidance next spring. If you have a personal favorite color you can paint the door in that. Maybe try something you always get compliments on when you wear it, due to its color.

If anyone can help I would be grateful! I really need to make a decision this weekend if possible. I know I need to do samples but would appreciate any direction on which SW whites to look at. I want it to be soft and warm/inviting and wouldn't even mind a cream if I can find on that still looks like a creamy white rather than yellow. Thoughts? Would SW Creamy work or go too yellow?