It's a lovely house and all of the random shrubs and trees detract from it and partially hide it's beauty.. I'd remove them and plant something more formal and symmetrical in keeping with the architecture.

Dark trim would look great!!

I agree with what others have said about the landscape. You could start by trimming the bushes next to the house even with the bottom of the windows.

You are so right about that dark front door with white sidelights, it has to go.
Any ideas on what kind of door you do want?

Please hire a well rated Landscape company, or person, not just some guy who does landscaping. You have a wonderful, and at one point thoughtful garden there and it just needs a few tweaks to highlight the foot paths. Possibly some landscape lighting new ground cover and florals. I like the idea of dark trim as well just make sure it works with the siding portion well.

Thank you all so much for your comments!!

@Shasta
For the front door, I don’t think I can fit a double door so I was thinking something along these lines in a dark color. Thoughts?

@Em, love all your door choices. Single door with sidelights will look awesome. I’m a fan of the obscured glass that lets light in but provides some privacy. I have German New Antique and love it. What a difference it will make!

@RLRelocationLLC
Thank you for that. I’m going to look into the footpath lighting and planting florals next season. I know this place could look so beautiful with some TLC.
I didn’t realize until you mentioned it but maybe should also paint the siding portion darker like the trim.. a darker taupe color closer to the color of the roof maybe?

Beautiful house on a beautiful wooded lot. Agree with cleaning up the landscaping. You have very busy brick, especially the vertical herringbone pattern in a couple spots. Are those plantation shutters inside all those windows, or horizontal blinds? I would remove them if you get sufficient shade from the trees.

If you do a new front door, keep it simple.

So you have a carport with the garage behind the carport? Can you move the basketball hoop around back? And a more attractive garage door.

Agree with RL ReLocation’s comments. I would trim back landscape elements in spring. Weed beds. Trim up trees. Consider a copper roof over bay window. The shingles look worn out. Yes to darker trim including the siding. Depending on your budget, might explore remote controlled black gate for just before car port. It would help expand the visual of your home.

How wide is total area of front door and sidelight area. I think a wider door would enhance your entry quite a bit. Might eliminate side lights. Just need to know total width and height of that opening.

Love the idea of darker trim, new darker door with side lights. I like the last door you posted (the black one) but I would do all the trim, door, siding, garage in a bronze not a black.

The landscaping advice is spot on.

Next time the roof is ready to be done, go darker. A nice rich charcoal shingle would be beautiful on that house. I think your house is lovely already. Like a pretty woman in a black dress, it needs some jewelry. Some contrast to the interesting brick will work well.

I think your door choices are lovely and your house is beautiful. I don’t think you need more than that and some cleaning up of the landscaping.

The possibilities are endless for your beautiful home. Here is rough mock up to show sone concepts to help you visualize ideas. The front door system using French door to fill whole space would elevate the entry look. You could do curved top doors. I chose this style to move to a bit more transitional entry look. These “systems” are available through local lumber/door supply sources. You could do a fountain in the center of grass area. With sitting area for welcoming look. Use pavers to create area and find antique or used fountain to save money. You don’t need water if you want simple look. I put a copper roof on that bay/style window. I put a dark brown trim and I would do something slightly lighter on siding. Couldn’t do on the photo had but this might give you further inspiration.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions!!

@ShadyWillowFarm I agree with you. They are plantation shutters you see in the windows, so I feel like I can’t bring myself to take them down (at least not yet). Yes, there is a carport before the garage- I hadn’t considered updating the garage door until you mentioned it and I so agree! The basketball hoop was the previous owners and has since been moved :)

@FloMangan I love your idea of a metal roof above the bay windows and the fountain!! The fountain itself I think would make a huge difference as you walk up towards the house and driving by. I’m not sure of the door dimensions but I will check tonight. Thank you!

@RedRyder Unfortunately the roof was just redone by the previous owner in Feb 2022, so I’ll have to live with it. But you’re so right about bronze versus black as the dark color! And I love your analogy.. she’s a pretty woman in a black dress who just needs some jewelry! (and don’t we all! haha)

You can temporarily take down some of the plantation shutters and see how it goes. If you hate it, put them back up.