Dear Homework,
I recently purchased this 1950s ranch and really need some help. I am updating the interior, and I want to freshen the exterior. I am putting new windows in so my budget is dwindling. I still have funds for a new front door and garage door but am struggling with finding a color that will tie into the blond brick, black gutters and brown roof. Help me move this house forward!

Sincerely,
—Color My World

Dear Color My World,
I find that slate green is a nice complement to most warm brick colors. It is also a color that helps connect the house to the landscape’s shades. Here I show painting the gutters, new garage door, windows and siding this color. I also show a terra cotta tone on the entry door and flower urns to give some punch. I would leave the columns the same color as the brick.

The landscape is kept very simple. A low burning bush hedge and dogwood tree finish off the bedroom wing with red fall color. Liriope grass softens the porch area and is finished off by a larger clump of ornamental grass.

The whole effect is simple, elegant and should be easy to maintain … leaving you plenty of time to rake all those leaves.

Hope that helps,
Homework

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Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, founding partner of The Lawrence Group. If you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com