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GARY FINLEY, ASID great house, I would not paint it off white or tan, it is perfect with the setting as it is, however a greener gray would likely be better.

GARY FINLEY, ASID the exterior stone is nice and typical of the age of the house. the replacing of window is a big undertaking but it seems you are doing an addition on the back side? If the windows are in good shape I would leave them..... many times the budget is stressed before any attention is "paid" to the interior comfort

GARY FINLEY, ASID I would add to the landscaping and shirt the house will plants, but not toooo formal as the wooded area is wonderful and I would do a random palnting. Not like the holly or boxwoods that are there now

Dawn Turner Thanks! That is very helpful.

GARY FINLEY, ASID plan plan plan.......then do it in stages.....dont just headin....as then you will not be working on a total picture

onthefence I agree with Gary that the house needs to be very organic in color. The surroundings are beautiful - lucky you! In my eye, I'd love see a grove of trees and the river THEN notice there's a house. I think a lighter color house would make you see the house first then everything else would be an afterthought.

Enjoy your beautiful surroundings!

Interiors International, Inc. The house is great and the lot is amazing! I do agree with GARY FINLEY, ASID in regards to your exterior.

GARY FINLEY, ASID thanks Jonathan, for your support

Judy M I would consider removing at least one tree in front and limbing up the others, this would allow more light to your home and get less dark shadows, while still keeping the shade they offer.
A consult with a good landscaper for a plan would pay off.

nFORMAL design Out of curiosity...where is this house?

nFORMAL design Also, I agree with Gary as well. The house was meant to be a part of the surroundings. However, a little more green of a grey could work...something that wouldn't make that red door look too "Christmas-y" -- that's a technical term.

GARY FINLEY, ASID from what I can tell the grass is fine and the limb height's are allowing the sun to done its work for the lawn.....removing a tree is not neccessary for the light from what I can tell. and the beauty of a ''wooded lot" is the trees

GARY FINLEY, ASID So where is this house? I'm thinking Arkansas/Oklahoma/Missouri

Dawn Turner It's in Gallatin TN about 20-30 minutes northeast of Nashville. The trees in the back have been trimmed 1/3 of the way up. I haven't paid much attention to the ones in the front yet.

GARY FINLEY, ASID the front are fine................................dont you think?

Dawn Turner Yes, I don't want to cut any trees but agree with what you said about adding landscaping around the house that blends in with the area.

ruthmand Please do not paint your home a light color. Look at your first photo and note how your neighbors white house sticks out whereas yours seems to blend in with its lovely surroundings.

nFORMAL design I know the area well. Good luck getting it "up to snuff". Keep it subtle and blended in...I think it is gorgeous that way.

Dawn Turner I hadn't thought about how painting it would light would make it stick out until reading the comments on this board, but not going to do that. Only half of the back of the house is painted--they added new windows and few feet to the living room and for some reason didn't paint the new part. I will paint it all one color in the back.

GARY FINLEY, ASID you realize hopefully that lighting up the paint will separate the house from its comfortable setting, many do extensive landscapeing to attempt to achieve what you have with the wonderfully matured trees

ommie7 You might try a muted shade of sage green to keep it in with the wonderful setting. Think of changing the trim color to accent rather than blend. If you can make the bath windows larger it would really change the whole look but only you know how that would work. Have fun getting it all together. Watch curb appeal on TV.

rookery Wonderful house & setting! I agree on keeping the paint a natural / earthy color. If you desire to update windows consider a Pella type single casement, as they would look stellar when open. Also Benjamin Moore is my sister's paint of choice. She is a chemical engineer & very savvy on durability. She lives in CT & used a dark Forrest green (seems to change colors depending on light) on her property's siding & it has held up beautifully to the elements.
I believe a change in upgrading the look you are perhaps seeking would be to reroof. Echo Majestic Slate makes a recycled hail resistant rubber roof that looks identical to slate. We had a dark slate on former house & the insurance deduction lowered our premium greatly. You can google for info.
Enjoy!

Urban Oasis I like the ochre color on the back. Maybe you can echo that. As for the landscaping, I would go with natives since you are in such a beautiful setting. That way you will blend in with your surroundings. Keep it organic - no trimmed hedges.

Pamela Bateman Garden Design Yes, I agree with everyone that the dark color looks nice in the surrounding landscape. You have a naturally beautiful spot. The trimmed hedge could be replaced with a natural shaped planting. Maybe some flowering shrubs in front of the stone wall that do not get larger than 4-6 feet. Seasonal color, flowering shrubs, and fragrance is all you need to add.

GARY FINLEY, ASID lol Pamela ...ever consider just not trimming them....lol just thought that was funny sorry

flgrandma You might wait til Sping to see how this looks with leaves on the trees.

cutecupcake27 Think u should paint it white

GARY FINLEY, ASID support the reasons for white paint if you would?

allthingsmodern The setting reminds me of the "camouflage" artist Bev Doolittle--- Seems somewhat sacrilegious attempting to improve upon it--- Who's the architect?

Dawn Turner I don't know the architect. It was built in 1972, then sold in 2005. Think I will leave outside alone for awhile and work on painting the inside.

Christine I would go bright cream or off white. NO BEIGE PLEASE. It looks dour now cuz it's winter but wait til summer comes and you are on the water. You won't want to look at a beige house. Power wash the stone and go light up top and add large wooden planters spaced evenly, that wind down to the waterfront where you can change out plants year round maybe irregular pavers down to the water as well. Have fun.

P.S. I can be invited over for a barbecue or to house sit. Whatever works for your schedule. :)

markwilder63 I too agree that keeping it earth toned is a good call and also that it is too dark now... dull in appearance. I would go with more of a greener grey as others have said, a bit lighter, just a bit.. As mother nature does offer us a bounteous color palette from which to select I see no need to shy away from something a bit more colorful.... after all, how many shades of green are there in a forest? Regarding plantings, while I like to go native for several reasons, I keep thinking that a few nice tall grasses would look great out front along wall where bathrooms are located... would help to offset the awkwardness that now exists... and also serve to lighten up the area. Enjoy!

Pamela Bateman Garden Design Plant drifts of naturalizing bulbs throughout the area. They would add to your beautiful natural landscape. I love the Narcissus - Tazetta hybrids or the Jonquilla hybrids.