You have a very unusual house, and I’ve been staring at the photos trying to figure out just what needs to change to update it. On the one hand, you have a traditional brick, but it looks like you’ve added a new garage door (Mediterranean Vineyard Classic Collection from Access perhaps??). I do like the color of the door with the brick and it looks like you’ve copied the box pattern of the door over onto the iron gate. Nice tie-in (or is that the gate you said you replaced?).

Anyway, I see two problems. One is the window color. It’s screaming out to me to be dark bronze (I see the house next door has black windows). The white windows look new and do not add any character to the house. The second problem is the cedar siding on the “roof.” Did you say there’s brick under there?? The current rustic siding looks a little too rustic for the traditional brick style of your house and has just a bit of a grass skirt quality to it. I would love to see that removed and replaced either with brick (if there isn’t any underneath) or actual roofing shingles like you have elsewhere. That will make a HUGE step forward toward updating your house.

I know the biggest issue right now is the gutters. I don’t mind the dark brown if you decide to paint the window casings brown. The downspouts will simply look like more trim on the house. However, if you keep the white windows, I suggest painting the downspouts (at least) to match the brick, something like either Georgian Brick (Ben Moore HC-50) or Mayflower Red (HC-49). The problem with painting downspouts is that eventually, the paint peels, just like you’re experiencing now with your current downspouts. If painting them again is out of the question, then go with a warm brown everywhere. It will look fine. Very traditional and expected and they won’t peel. Even though you have some concrete trim and could theoretically go with a warm gray for your gutters and downspouts, I still like the historic quality of the dark brown and I think that’s the way to go for your house.

One additional idea: When you get a chance, upgrade the two front lights next to your garage to the “mansion” version of the wrought iron. The current lights are way too small for that big garage door and tall facade. That’s a relatively easy project and will make a big difference.

Long-winded answer to your gutter question. Hope I touched on everything. Let me know if I need to clarify. And good luck!

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

Well, how about plum? Although it may be less imaginitive than yet another color, it’s definitely better than leaving the door white. You can add a white wreath on top of the plum. That would look terrific!

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

Black shutters will look smashing against the light pink brink. Go for it!

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

Sounds perfect.

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach

My house is a light beige colonial with stone work in the middle. I recently added plum shutters which pick up the stone work. The door right now is white but trying to decide on a color or if I should just leave it white and just go with a wreath with some color to brighten up the entrance.

thanks for the advice!

We used Ben Moore’s Raisin (1237) as a base coat and then went over it with a metallic paint called Statuary Bronze (ME190) from the Modern Masters Metallic Paint Collection. The walls have a wonderful lustrous quality, terrific for an elegant master bedroom. The homeowners love it! Thanks for asking!

-Barbara
Your Home & Color Coach