The trim custom color matched (paint) to the gutters is a good plan. The singular factor of the windows being white isn't a good enough reason -- or enough of a reason -- to paint all the trim on the house white. Would be nice if the siding contrasted in the way of value - meaning would be nice if the siding were the *same color* just darker or lighter by several shades than the trim/gutters. It's also okay if the trim/gutters are the same color as the siding and blends together. It's a preference. Taking the opportunity to use contrast at the trim/gutter & siding point can help define your home's architecture and contribute to better curb appeal -- like I said, matter of preference. If you're columns are going to be more than the current post-like shape, I'd paint those the Dover White. If not, they should be the same color as the trim. Actually, if you end up with beefier columns than what I see in the pix, they could be the custom tan color too. I happen to prefer white on columns and that would be a way to repeat the white window trim. Doing so -- arguably -- messes with the standard 'rules' of color hierarchy for exteriors. Treating a classic element like a column in a classic color like a white trumps the hierarchy thing -- from my color point of view any way.

The shutters are the wrong size which makes them look wrong for the house. They are too long and appear to be too wide, leaving no reveal of the house between the windows. There are sites that will explain shutter sizing but I'll try to keep it simple. Imagine the shutters were operational and could open and close. The shutter needs to fit into the window "well" and meet in the center. Yours, if closed would not fit together and would go over the molding on the top and bottom. (hope this makes sense). I think shutters belong on CHC houses but if they're sized wrong, it'll look "off". I think that's where you're at. Color can be determined later. Now here's a thought. If you're thinking about replacing them anyway, I'd take down the ones on the ground floor and trim them down to the correct size, remount in the same holes and see if it doesn't make a huge difference. Then you could play with paint, whatever. Good luck.

I think the shutters is a regional thing. I live in CA, most houses are newer ranch style. The majority have shutters on them and they are ALL decorative! I never knew what functional shutters looked like until I joined this forum. I think for people on the East Coast with the older homes and real shutters they will never look quite right, but for here, in my area, they are typical of the majority of homes you will see. Sort of like crown molding or other trim, purely for decorative purposes only. FWIW, when we remodeled our home we removed the wood siding and shutters and stuccoed the home and used decorative foam stucco trim.

Hi Brittany i’m curious about what you decided on your shutter color i painted my walls with a light gray and used a dark gray trim My rooms are large with high celings so there is plenty of light i am considering having my shutters dipped in a white with a gray understone i’m getting a sample of a shutter in that color next week i’m sticking with white but the color white that I currently have will not work with gray so my shutters will need to change or else I’ll have to go back to white trim Just curious with what you did Thanks!