I'm trying to understand what all I see in the photo. What are the rust colored sections? I think that section between the rust sections should match them, but I'm also not a fan of painting brick. Why take something that is minimal maintenance and make it a headache? But you could build more panels like the rust ones (I'm hoping they're wood) and paint them that same rust, and install them so that they could be taken back off if you do major renovations.

Here's a big yes from me to make the lattice go away? Is it serving a function? Is it hiding the AC unit for example? I would take it off and leave it off for a while then see what you think.

I would not spend thousands of dollars on painting the foundation etc when it will (presumably) get totally messed up by a renovation and need redone.

Not sure of your weather, but could you put big pots of shrubs, small trees to obscure your foundation? They could be moved elsewhere for renovation then permanently planted if desired after that is done.

The rust is actually the brick, the grey is stone 😔

I'll attach a picture closer up

For the lattice, it isn't serving any purpose or hiding anything under the stairs, someone suggested maybe horizontal lattice to make it more modern, but I'm wondering then what color or material? I love the wooden look, maybe I could cover the rust brick and under the stairs with some kind of matching wooden panel like you originally though it was. As for the planters, I love that idea. They won't serve much of a purpose here for the next few months (I'm up in Quebec Canada) but it gives me a few months before the spring to find some and plan them out.

Yes, I think there is too much black because it is not clear whether the blackness above the door is a dark empty space under the peak that isn't lit up or if that is triangular solid box over the door. I would be very tempted to paint that portico the same color as the rust brick to give your house some Memphis style. As if it was always meant to be that way and only the unsophisticated don't appreciate it! ;)

I think the biggest single return on your money you could get would be to widen the stairs so they are the full width of the porch. I have no idea how much it costs to do that. If you don't want to do it now, than I suggest you paint the lattice the same color as you paint the rails.

I think I might paint the foundation the same color gray as the interior of your garage wall.

The rust/red is real brick? I’d have to agree that it is very unattractive.

Could you use some brick paint (Romabio is usually recommended here) to make the brick look very, very similar to the stone? I know painting brick is usually frowned on but I think in your case it’s justified.

Paint or panel over the brick, match to the roof or stone. Plant shrubs in front of the foundation, do not paint it. Pick a material other than the lattice to cover the sides of the stairs. Hide it with shrubs. When you do a major renovation consider widening the stairs.

PS: If you really want to do Memphis-style, paint the corrugated portion over your door purple.

Don't despair -- someday someone will fight to get your house (and replace the straight stair rails with squiggles)

The house is cute, the different colors are a mess but that's a relatively easy fix. You can't easily change the roof color so I would use that as base color. Pick a light grey that works with the roof color and paint the stone and the brick that color.

I will also chime in and say that I think painting the foundation black is a bad idea. Some foundation plants would look much better than a black hole under the house.

I would stain the red brick a medium gray -- I like the feel of color-blocking for your house, but the red looks really artificial. The black will seem more clear when the railing is painted.

This still gives you the option to stain all the stone as well, but I like it like this and would just deal with the foundation by stain and/or plantings after.

The two brick colors and styles, plus the different textured “foundation” are really strange. Paint the whole house and all that distraction will disappear. Just use a good masonry primer. Since you have black window trim and door, use a light paint, not black. Paint the foundation the same. Some foundation plantings, would make a huge difference.

We painted our brick over 20 years ago and looks as good as the day it was painted. I would paint the red brick to match the stone. I think adding a garage door is a great idea and will help the appearance.

I think staining or painting the red brick only looks like an improvement based on what people saw before. That is to say, if you came upon this house for the first time after all the suggestions for staining or painting had been done, you'd be thinking: How can I change the look of this house?

The big black portico overhang is the thing I would most want to change, along with the black roof trim. The house has a design (not saying it is one I like) and I think uncovering the design would be a step in the right direction, rather than constantly applying coats of darker paint.

Wondering if any other houses in the neighborhood are like this? Are there photos of the house when it was built? Would love to know what is behind the lattices.

I like the idea of clear cedar panels over the brick, on the gable above the front door, and in lieu of the lattice work. Or painting just the brick something that will blend better than the current red.

Unfortunately, the roof color does not go with the stone body of the house. It is way too dark and adding more black features like the gutters and gable are making the house look squat. The black is oppressive IMO. If your intention is to do some remodeling, I would hold off on painting the brick, adding cedar or painting the foundation. All those items may change in a remodel. Work on some landscaping for now and get the barrel out of the front yard.

Is the brick veneer? If so, you can put something else there.

I love what @acm has proposed! That looks fabulous. I completely agree that the bright red of the brick is jarring against the rest of the house.

I also think landscaping would make a world of difference. Your house has a tall foundation. Filling that area with shrubs and flowers would add a lot of character and color.

The more I look at your pictures it seems to me that the black soffit and fascia is the big problem. It's oppressive and top-heavy. I imagine that it makes the inside of the house appear darker as well.

Changing the brick color is an easy fix, painting the soffit a lighter color will be more complicated but I think it will have a big impact.

I like all the suggestions for faking it with cedar paneling for now, but I think what I would do is one section of paneling between the two windows to match the existing brick -- and then line the back of your drapes black.

I'd still want to do the corrugated upper of the portico is something other than black.

Within 8 weeks you can get away with putting 7 artificial xmas trees in boxes across your foundation and leave them there until Valentine's Day. You don't have to decorate them. ;)

@acm Gave you a great interim idea until you remodel. Your roof is what it is. If you want to change the peak of it at some point, start saving your money. I think it's fine. Cohesion of colors on the front make a huge difference!