I reall like the current colors and your red roof. I think you can change the house colors and not change the fence color. Here is one example that is in a tan family: With a white trim and dark brown shutters, I think it would work. Here is another example of a tan shade: I also like this light grey with white trim: Would you consider a green base: Then chose either a brown or red for the shutter.

Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!

My vote is for the wash but not in bright white and after some selective knot primer in the same tone. You are going to want to selectively primer down about 2/3 of the knots (use a dark white tinted primer), and use a dark white / brown toned off white instead of bright white so the beams still give you dark white on bright - that would be my vote. Consider something like bm stingray tinted primer and wash on the beams. You can add glaze for more working time or put down dropcloths and use water to cut it into a wash. Test it on some other raw wood that has had tannins develop for a few years. Then put it against your white wall - your husband will get the contrast and wood grain but you'll get the quiet palette you were hoping for. They both will have architectural depth and interest.