I'd paint the white siding cream, and paint the downspouts to match brick. Replace the screen door with full glass (or remove). Then, LANDSCAPE!

It's a cool house with a lot of character! I agree you should paint the downspouts on the brick area so they disappear more. To make the left side door blend in more with the house, maybe paint the vertical siding a medium tone that would blend or complement the brick, but leave white trim around the door to highlight the entrance. For landscaping I would take out the small bush in front of the window and put a row of something like hosta, with texture and color, along the front.

I'd remove the shutters and door screen, paint the siding a rust/burgundy color to compliment the brick and change out the light fixtures to something larger...

I'm going to vote for a taupish color everywhere there is currently white (something that complements the brick), black shutters and front door.

Something that really stands out to me is that the windows and shutters are white but the pediments above the windows are light beige. I'd paint the pediments white.

Your roof looks like it will need replacement in a few years and at that time I recommend a darker roof. I think I made it a bit too dark.

Paint the shutters a color.

Larger lights near the door. Make sure they look traditional.

I made this at the Sherwin Williams visualizer so it is rather sloppy but it gives some idea.

Light fixtures should be 1/3 of the door's height. Somehow I doubt that those shutters were part of the original look. They are quite awkward looking. Have you checked city records to find some info about this building? Perhaps the city has done a photo inventory of their more historic bldgs.

You could remove the shutters on the two windows and then put some vertical- oriented plantings between the windows. Perhaps slim evergreen shrubs or flowers like tall daisies.

I agree with removing the shutters in this case. They’re just too dominant. Nothing wrong with seeing more of the nice brick.

Thank you all for the excellent feedback!!

I think removing the shutters and painting all the stuff that is white a nice green like in this pic would be my choice then go to work on the landscaping.

How lucky to have an historic home? I agree to remove the shutters (hoping the brick won’t be a different color….) and paint the downspouts to match the brick on the bottom part. The addition might benefit from being a color, rather than stark white. But mostly, your house deserves great landscaping.

(If you do decide you like the shutters, the suggested blue above looks nice. I’d also consider a deeper, but not blackish, navy - or deep green.

Start researching foundation bushes. Tell us your gardening zone and we can send some ideas. Can you post more photos of the walkway to the main door?

And that one puny bush in front can go…. :)

Hi @RedRyder, thanks so much for your comment! I just added three more photos to this post - another angle of the front of the house, a shot of the front walkway, and a *rough* street view image pulled from Google Maps to give a better idea of the driveway. This house was underwent some renovations by the previous owner and the dead tree branches in the driveway are removed. Also, we are in Zone 6 :)

With shutters removed.

As much as I like green and unpainted brick, I think the paint on the second story, no matter what color it is, makes the the house looked chopped up/chopped off. I would go ahead and paint the entire house one color. I like it without shutters, but that is certainly up to you and your preferences! I do agree about removing or chnging (full glass) the storm door and getting larger lights there. Then, come spring, address the landscaping (eta: I recommend a native garden under the windows). Congratulations on your lovely new home!

ETA #2: Ooh, ohh, ooh, considering where you live, any chance of adding a one-car garage next to the small addition? It may be too close to the property line, but oh so nice during snow season.

I would go with a charcoal gray for the shutters. Get a new solid door, replace the lights and paint the downspouts. Update the landscaping. When it is time for a new roof go with a dark gray.

Don't paint the house one color with the idea that it is going to look like it was painted with only one color. Brick and siding have very different textures, and the shadows of the brick are going to make it look darker when the light is at an angle.

Looking at the close-up again, was the siding added on top of brick? It looks as if it was and perhaps it could be removed. Just a thought.

We have Hardiboard on the gables of our brick house that was painted when we bought it. We repainted when we moved in and have just repainted. Both the brick and Hardiboard look just fine.

@cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA) there is actually a two car detached garage behind the house!

I'd test out colors on the garage... will give you an idea how the natural light will affect them.

@Lyn Nielson That is a great point. Relatively low risk. Thank you!

@houssaon I am really liking this! Thank you!

Looks better with the grey shutters @houssaon posted. No shutters looks too plain.

I'm not great at envisioning exterior changes - really appreciate the mockups. One thing I'd mention would be a more prominent, beefy, door to stand up to the large downstairs windows with pediments. The larger lights that were suggested would help too, but there's something about that side entry that needs something else - I'm not sure what.

Here is a case where i think the shutters are wonderful! I would go with acolor other than white for trim and siding. Sage, cream, pale mustard.. Any of these will mute the jarring contrast and highlight the brick. You can make the security gate on the door disappear by painting it black.

The windows appear to be new replacements for what were likely divided glass. Restoring them, even with faux inserts, might be a good idea.

The plantings should not concesl the windows.

Take it slow and research 1930s architecture. Great house and grest project!

Would a wind vane look tacky? I guess I'm looking for some sort of height on that entry.

Could the end downspouts be re-routed to run along the corner of the building? The one on the left upper could pour into the front door section and then down the painted exterior where it could blend better. The middle one maybe could be replaced with a rain chain or something more decorative.

I like the suggestions to paint the shutters.

Remove the security door as it isn't particularly inviting. And then replace the lights next to the door with something bigger.