Post this on the home decorating page. I am sure they will give you some great advice. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor

I feel like the railing on the steps is not the right size and sticks out. Maybe replace with a black wrought iron railing that is more subtle. Trim out some of the overgrown shrubberies. If you can forgo the storm door, remove it. Paint the front door a bright color.

Here's the link: https://www.progressive.com/lifelanes/household/painting-brick/ To be clear and so we're all speaking in proper context, the 3 to 5 year recommendation is about REGULAR HOUSE PAINT. Which I have repeatedly stated that regular house paint is not the best product to use to change the color of brick. 30 years ago there wasn't the range of product to choose from like we have in 2019. Also, from the same article. And, again, to ensure everyone has proper context... "The Brick Industry Association also advises using a porous paint for exterior brick walls, so the brick can breathe." " Zumeta recommends looking into having your brick professionally stained, rather than painted. Although it can be more expensive, a brick stain penetrates the pores of the brick, unlike paint, which simply sits on the surface. It creates new color without some of the long-term risks that come with paint." In addition, the article speaks to the substrate. Which I also mentioned earlier in the thread because it matters. Bottom line is it's not okay to make sweeping, generalizing, fear-mongering comments about the pitfalls of painting brick without specifying product and substrate. The details matter. Lastly, from the article, this is bad advice. Which makes me question the article overall. I wouldn't use Super Paint exterior on normal substrates let alone brick unless the budget was Super tight for painting normal exterior substrates. JMHO: “Choosing a high-quality paint is vital for painting brick successfully,” says Watson. Both Watson and Crocker recommend using specific masonry paint products for painting brick, starting out with a conditioner and a primer, and then using a breathable latex exterior or interior paint, like Sherwin-Williams’ SuperPaint Acrylic Latex."

Now that I finally have the interior of my house the way I like it, the exterior needs some serious help! It just looks so boring and blah. First of all, I do *not* want to paint the brick. With that said, I'm leaning toward a darker accent color (dark grey or black?) but I don't know if I like the panels under the windows or shutters or what. I know it needs some landscaping (I'm loving the idea of a wisteria tree under the window on the right) but I'm more concerned about the actual house right now. Any design/architectural/color suggestions would be much appreciated!! Also, if you suggest a color scheme, please include your thoughts on what to do to the (obnoxious!) garage. I will be putting a new roof on in the next few months so I'm open to ideas on that as well. Note: The two photos in comments are from the past two owners and how they had it... Not a huge fan of either.