apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Call me crazy - but I like it the way it is.

The issue w/ painting the shutters, windows, doors, etc is that you have white gutters and downspouts as well as white gable trim and eaves - so changing those other elements may make the place look uncohesive.

I'd stick with updating the landscaping - perhaps a nice flower garden around that great Oak in the front yard and replacing the concrete patio in the back w/ pavers or brick - maybe even removing the awning from above the sliding doors and replacing it with a larger pergola.

If you ditch the shutters you could beef up the windows with some wider flat wood trim, but I agree with bepsf that you might have an issue with the gutters and downspouts. Maybe keep all the trim white and paint the brick (I know you don't want to) and then update the landscaping. Be careful with the contemporary yard art - could look cheesy

Don't try to make it into something it's not. It's a good mid century house in good shape, that just needs a little updating.

If you ditch the shutters you'll end up with a front elevation that's a huge expanse of wall with little square holes cut in it for windows. I don't think you're looking to create a bunker ;-). The shutters create proportion.

What I see is that the color palette is a little pale and bland, like an old person wearing a beige sweater ;-P. It could use some contrast. By all means keep the sandstone brick as is, but bring it forward with a complementary color like charcoal gray or a blue-gray (not too saturated, or else you'll make the brick look dull).

Then with the landscaping bring that bed up front out farther away from the wall, and add a curve or variation to its line. That straight, narrow band of shrubs tucked against the house is too stiff and formal. Bring it out to make a more graceful and casual transition to the wall.

Slate gray would give it some oomph. Without freaking out the neighbors.

Please, ditch the fake shutters.

I like the shutters... I'm not crazy about the concrete. But maybe you could just change that out with pretty pea gravel. And just update the lanscaping. The paint colors are nice as is.

You should probably keep the shutters. I live in an Austin neighborhood full of these houses (mine is pretty similar) and the ones that don't have shutters tend to be the ones that weren't maintained. That's what people will assume about your house if you take down the shutters -- trust me, it doesn't look good (unless you paint the brick to give it a more contemporary look). And that's a lot of work you don't even have to do since the house is already in great shape. The slate gray shutter suggestion is an excellent one -- or look around the neighborhood and see if there are any other color combinations that appeal to you.

And congratulations on your house -- New Braunfels is great.

I don't think the colors are awful...but considering you're in Texas where brownish tones are generally the dominant colors in the environment...you might want to slightly pull the tan/brownish tones into a more descriptive color. Maybe a tinge of salmon or pull the tan into a lighter, yellowish tone. Its kind of just bland dirt color right now. But definitely keep the white.

I think I would focus on the landscape and your accents. I would xeriscape it and install native low water plants. Texas sage has alot of nice greys and purples.

I'd also definitely switch out the front porch lights. The brass ones are very dated. Love the structure of the house though. Very solid mid-century. I like the back of the house and what looks to be an elevated patio! Bonus!!

Maybe replacing the chain link fence with a decorative white one will unify the property. And when it comes time for a new roof...I'd research textured ones. The roof is such a dominant presence in the facade of the house...it should be given some attention.

Congrats! Looks like a wonderful house.

Raspberry. Keep the white shutters/trim, etc.

Great house! I totally agree with the owner, the shutters have to go -- they are completely the wrong size for the windows and look 'cheesy' for lack of a better word. Get rid of 'em. Leave the brick as-is, it's good. Since this is a vacation house, the first think I would do is hang a swing from that beautiful arching branch in the front yard. Bright colors say vacation to me -- I'd paint the front door. You could name the house and get a plague to hang over the door. I also picture brightly colored adirondack chairs for relaxin' on that lovely green lawn.

I would paint them red. I also live in Texas, and the constant dusty nuetrals are starting to look ugly and boring to me.