A few more ideas: I think if you continue the banding along the top it would do loads to help unify the addition with the brick house. Don't use the same fancy molding, just a plain band to go with the simpler style of the addition. Yes to a pediment/eave over the window. It would "cap" it and give it presence. Use beefier trim on the sides of the window so it looks like the trim is supporting the pediment and to make the window/trim/pediment look like a whole. More substantial trim around the garage and on the corner of the addition. Splurge for a pretty garage door and pretty lamps. I didn't care for the window box. It didn't look like a graceful length to my eye, and the black was distracting. If you still want a window box, paint it white to make it part of the window/trim/pediment element. I also found something odd about the way the siding goes all the way to the concrete (or maybe it just looks that way in the picture). If you had a little foundation showing like over in the brick section, that would also make the addition look connected to the main house. I've drawn in a "foundation." Others had wonderful landscaping ideas, especially about balancing the plants and putting a planter or trellis under the octagonal window.

Oh my god what a ! I think the plants just need time to mature -- I think bigger, established plants will feel better. I also love the idea of adding an undulating flower bed along the (lawn side) walkway, as well as making the bed underneath the window deeper. Those will go a long way to adding the "WOW" you want. I happen to be a fan of beds all around (inc. facing the sidewalk), but that's not for everyone. I find an abundance of plants really welcoming and friendly-looking. I don't know where you are, but a small tree (red leaf Japanese maple is what first pops to mind, but I happen to have a thing for them) could also do a lot. I'm not thinking of a large tree because it appears you have large trees on the hell strip. I think the small tree could go near the left corner of the house (to hide the junction boxes), and / or where that big rock is on the lawn. (well, maybe a bit to the left of it, closer to the corner of your property line) I like the dark brown trim paint color, but maybe when it's time to repaint you might consider a dark sage green or a mid-forest green. Your house is wonderful -- congratulations!

I would push back if the builder is suggesting that none of the window sizes can be changed on this elevation due to code. Codes do vary from place to place, but they generally have a few common features regarding windows: minimum open size for egress i bedrooms, and minimum natural light and ventilation in living spaces. Other than the bedroom, none of the other windows on this elevation should be tied to code in that they cannot be changed. I agree that at minimum the 1st floor bath and kitchen window should be the same height. I also think they should both be the same type of window. I understand the convenience of casement windows over a kitchen sink, so I would do a single casement in the bathroom too. On the second floor I would make the bathroom another casement (for rhythm and consistency) and make it the same size as the top half of the landing window. Beyond that, landscaping, exterior color choice, a nice window box under the first floor bathroom and kitchen windows, a small paver patio to expand the front porch, and some quality details on the porch posts, railing, door and outdoor lights can all improve and add character to a simple form.

Like the house. Someone may have been trying for MCM? If the absence of symmetry bothers you, removing the ?porch? roof right of the garage and then recreating the forward facing gable so the right side of it matches the left side of the roof that is over the garage. Then consider adding a real or faux roofing vent or faux window centered in your new forward facing gable. Budget permitting, consider a new garage door, preferably with a natural wood finish and a row of windows across the top. When you work on the landscaping, be sure you do not put dirt against the trunk of the tree but you could certainly level the area around the tree from tree trunk out creating a planting area around the tree.