I'd remove the shutters entirely and paint not just teh garage doors but also the porch posts a dark color. Absolutely remove the boxwoods on BOTH sides of the house and tame the top of your flowering tree when next it is the right time of year to prune it. Once you do all that you'll have a clearer idea about flower beds and walk ways.

Would suggest a much brighter color door (a spring green?)

Thanks. Yes, everything is overgrown right now. I was thinking about the post and the garage door being the same color. I can't remove the shutters, the brick is not fully to the window. Would you keep the door and shutters the same color?

I love this color with brick and no shutters for sre . I would do the trim the garage door the pillars and the front doot the same green . The boxwoods need to go for sure . The tree also needs to go somehwere else. Then some nice foudation plants there . Waht exactly is that space that has the shutters on the right. You need landscaping for sure I love a walkway from the street to a front door too

The area underneath the shutters does not have full brick, there is a lot of filled in grout next to the bricks and the window. It's probably a couple of inches wide, and the shutters cover it. I found that out when we were looking at how to remove the shutters. Underneath the shutters is just a mulch flower bed.

When asking about the space that is on the shutters, are you referring to what room in the house that is? It's the dinning room. Behind the boxwoods and crape myrtle is our office. It's hard to see those windows behind all the 'stuff' in the corner.

If you can't remove the shutters, I like the idea of painting them Urbane Bronze as well as the garage door and the post. Agree that your front door needs something a bit brighter. I would paint the sidelight/trim the same color you choose for the door. I would probably paint the trim above the garage door UB also, so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb once you've painted everything else.

Re: landscaping … I’d trim up the Crape Myrtle (not top it, trim up so more space is underneath) … remove boxwoods and the border … set a bench on some pavestones or real flagstones in front of the CM … plant low things around it, or have potted plants. (I don’t know your location, or how large the area is, to suggest specific plantings.)

On the other side, I’d enlarge the bed and have a sweeping, slightly curved border. Again, I can’t see it close enough for more advice.

I’d also get larger garage door lights. I’d love to see a mock-up of the shutters, front door, and post painted a dark chocolate color or black. Not sure about the garage.

I just think seating areas are so welcoming by entries. :)

Thanks. I'm out in Oklahoma and this area gets a good amount sun. I've thought about ripping out the boxwood and crape myrtle for a seating area but have been unsure since it's not covered. That's why I've been unsure if I should keep with plants or pave the area and do something else.

Is there room for both? A bench in front of the CM? I love seeing CMs outside my windows (plus, helps shade the room).

I’m in N Texas, so similar climate. I don’t know about you, but this summer nearly did me in!

If I did paint the garage door and trim above the garage door Urban Bronze, does anyone think leaving the pitch above the 'shutter window' the cream color would be ok? The sides of the house have some narrow hardy siding and those are cream as well.

This is a side view of the house with the cream siding and chimney. It's from winter, but gives an idea of the rest of the siding.

Is it real brick under the shutters? Have you ever spoken to a pro about whether what's there could be repaired to allow you to remove the shutters?

It's too bad the previous owners didn't leave behind -- if they ever had them, a complete set of bifolds that would actually been usuable in protecting that window, unfolding across the whole arch space when shut.

But if this is all you have to work with and no chance of repairing what's underneath, I'd consider painting the shutters the same shade as the brick or possible something close to black to match the window. Before I did any of this I would use paper or cardboard or painted foam board and tape it up onto the shutters to see what color looked good. Maybe it should be the same color as the garage doors and posts. Just decide after other works is finished.

Urbane Bronze is a favorite of mine … all of my trim & large gates are painted that. i would remove the boxwoods & keep the Crepe Myrtle, just trim it up some ( from the bottom, don’t top it.

No, i never talked to a professional about adding in brick. i know that will be out of my budget.

Yes the summer did us in, especually after a few years of really hard freezes. There used to be other plants in front of the crape mytryle and on the other side, but they didnt make it. im ready to make the front look nice again and the windows are giving me an excuse to re do it all.