A window box would look nice but you should do faux outdoor plants. It’s high enough not to be able to tell they aren’t real.
They have seven Amazon.

Several

Shutters wouldn’t make “sense” as there are 3 windows. And window boxes are notoriously hard to keep looking nice…please no faux.
If you beef up the front bed underneath, maybe a taller evergreen on the right, and lower, colorful things toward the porch steps, the eye will not even notice the nice and neat, yet “plain” area above. I love the brick detail. Don’t cover that up.
Cute house!

maybe wider white trim - and the flower box.

The details on this Dutch Colonial Gable are just not right

• Should have been brick
• The roof should have had more of an overhang with the wall recessed.
• Trim doesn't match the rest of the house
• Absolutely NO Shutters
• Paint the siding a better color

@BeverlyFLADeziner thanks. completely understand. Unfortunately, i wasnt able to desing this addition. i hesitated when i bought the house, but i love the indoors, they yard, etc even the porch and the brick detail its just that addition. its so flat! what were they thinking?? i dont think they were.

unfortunately any major fix will cost $$. so im trying to think of ways to make it softer. Im hoping when the tree grows it will hide some of the top.

I think your best bet is some great foundation plantings and an ornamental tree like Eastern Redbud, if it is rignt for your zone.

Gorgeouse leaf color and spectacular buds.

Solana Beach Elegance · More Info

Residential Landscape Throughout The Growing Season · More Info

@houssaon Too funny. i was lookijng at the redbud. i jusy dont want to cover the porch too much, so thinking about a hydrangea tree to the right and hoping my planting innthe front of the porch fills in nicely

Like this?

Would it be too pricey to change the window to be more in style with the examples Beverly shared? Even if the overhang weren’t as deep, the restoration of the window - it could be better sized, even if the surround wasn’t as ornate - would help things look more in keeping with the style.

Other have outlined the problems and correct fixes. You didn't design this renovation but the question is how much money are you willing to spend now on fixes? My guess is you are looking for more budget friendly fixes, I just don't think shutters and a planter are going to cut it. I think you live with what it is for now. The bright white of your trim is also really calling attention to the problems like a big highlighter pen. In the future when you need to paint, consider colors that are more muted and all meld together more.

I can appreciate the need for a budget conscious ipso that does not break the bank, such as changing out windows. I would beef up the window trim to create the illusion of a larger window space, and add window boxes for warmth and color. Shutters would not be appropriate due to the “three” situation. I also believe that a change in upper story and trim color would be advisable. A warmer white or cream for the trim and a color that complements the brick for the upper story field, such as a deep blue would give you greatly increased interest. Good luck!

I meant to say you do not want to be changing out windows due to budget- lol!

IMO painting the siding a color thta works better with brick would be my first step/ This is one that is great with brick. BTW no fake flowers ever anywhere. The windows will not look better with shutters and a window box is hard to keep looking nice all year and often stains the siding from leaking water I would paint all the trim the same as the siding like in this pic and then tke your eye to fabulous foundation plantings

I love Maureen’s example with the beefier trim and detail in her first photo….shouldn’t be too costly and will give you the most maintenance-free option in the long run. No shutters, please, and no fake plants☹️.

Love the window trim example from Maureen. Window boxes on upper windows are problematic. Real plants are a must. Shutters on this style of window would definitely be ”shudders.”

IMO, shingles would look better than the horizontal siding. Either real wood ones or the faux vinyl one. Preferably wood. NOT gray because the present color is not good.

Love the green/ brick combo that Patricia posted but, in this case, the upper story siding needs to be a dark/ darker color. I think a darker color would help to make it appear to be more recessed under the overhang.

I am fascinated by the glimpse that you provide of your neighborhood! The facades of your homes have red brick, but the sides appear to all be a yellow brick. And, looking at your neighbors, they have porches, too. Some have filled in the space between the bricks, enclosed their porches, etc. Some have simple gables on their second floors, but yours seems uniquely a Dutch colonial! Can you tell us more about your neighborhood, from which you might want to draw inspiration. Are there any other Gambrel roofed homes in the neighborhood like yours? When was it built? Love how your home looks, by the way. In time, perhaps you can restore some of its earlier character. Welcome home!

Lots of cities like Chicago allowed face brick on the front of the home and common brick on the balance of the home. This was after the Chicago Fire and people wanted brick homes but couldn't afford the face brick on all sides and since there is often only 5 ft of space between homes, you can really take a step back and view it.

Here is some info

https://www.chicagobungalow.org/chicago-bungalow

Thanks for the info AND the inspirational photos BeverlyFLADesiner!