I saw something in another thread (quite a while back) that mentioned using something to bring out the grain in the wood after it had been sanded. Then you can paint, sand, paint, sand, etc. The sanding helps bring the paint to an even level, effectively filling in the grain. I have a third bathroom that I'll update some day. (Not any time soon.) One of my plans was to just sand and paint it repeatedly to get a nice smooth surface. Then I can replace the top parts (sink, counter, faucet), tear out the lame wallpaper, etc. From 1982 to 200x! Presto!

Knew it was Lake Michigan immediately - anyone who has ever lived on/near it would know. One of the few things I miss. Sounds as if you have moved away from painting the house - good call. It really is beautiful as is but I understand feeling it needs *something*. All the suggestions for changes with color, shutters and maybe alterations to the portico (although I'm not sure that's needed) will make a big impact. I'd be inclined to loosen up the landscaping a little and replace some of the tight clipped shrubs - are they old yews perhaps? I'd love to see some grasses worked in. The movement and looser structure will do a lot to make the house feel more relaxed in place. And you have the perfect location to have the sunrise catch the grasses and their seed heads in the fall to make magic with color. Can't tell from the photos but if your setting sun isn't fully obscured, it will make the grasses glow.

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!

I agree, new landscaping. Leave the stucco, but paint it. I would also color match some paint to the brick, and paint those pieces in the peak that you dont like. They most likely are not removable without doing damage to the brick. Pretty house. I know you are excited to make it your own, but, do not make the mistake of so many others, and jump in and change things right away, and then 6 months or so after you have lived in it, you find what you thought you wanted when you moved in, was not what you should have done. Costly mistakes happen when you are just really excited to move in and make it your own right away. Give it a bit of time, and think about things carefully, once you are settled in. Congratulations on your new home.