I would grow Virginia creeper all over it ..It turns red in the fall, if you don't want a perennial vine, maybe morning glories or Black eyed susan vines, you could have the kids you watch help you plant, Scarlet runner beans grow super fast .thats an option too, the only thing is you would have to look at the fence again in the winter

Great ideas and suggestions here. You all are inspiring me, making my list for hubby now...ha, ha! Thanks for the feedback!

I watch kids too so I know how that is. The law says you have to have a fence, but does it say you have to have chain-link? I doubt it. If you must have a fence, how about replacing the chain-link with a cute picket fence? I don't think painting it black would help at all and I don't think it's the fence, per se, that's the big no-no; it's specifically the chain link.

I would take the shutters off the windows. When shutters are used they should look like if they were closed they would cover the whole window. So these don't fit here. Also they make your door look so lost. Put open white railing on the porch. Take down the fence. Later replace with white pickets. Paint the house including the lattice a cream yellow. I think if you paint the lattice different from the house it will keep this chopped up look.. Columns windows and trim white. Paint all of the concrete to match the roof , Or paint it white. Clean up the yard by removing bushes and replant shrubbs and flowers to hide the lattice. New mailbox and house numbers and then some hanging lantern lights to replace the old ones. If you have a side window that you could move the air conditioner to that would make it look much better. If you want to tie in the roof color you can do it with pillows and such on your seating.

The chain link fence is necessary for me because I watch kids, the law says I have to have it. The chain link to the right is actually my neighbors. Would it help if I painted mine black to make it less noticeable and removed the gate at the driveway?

The chain link really needs to go for your home to have inviting curb appeal. I would also pull out the push that is in front of the stairs to open it up and make the walkway easy to see. It would also be a good idea to paint the lattice a color that will make it "disappear"...charcoal gray to match the concrete or even a sage green to blend with plantings. If using a green, it could be used on the shutters. Shutters on the other window on the front of the house would be nice. Lastly, some foundation plantings and flowers to add color and softness. Either that...or call Curb Appeal and get John's help!! (:

Thank you!! Great advice! The roof is actually Sherwin Williams charcoal gray, I never thought about painting the white lattice another color but you guys are right it would blend in better.

Thank you! Great suggestions. The roof is actually a very dark charcoal gray by Sherwin Williams and it was just painted last month and I do have the color swatch which shows complimentary colors. However, one of those colors was burgundy and it doesn't quite go with the brick. I've found that to be the case in a lot of the complimentary colors is that it don't take into consideration brick houses. I'd love to paint over the brick just won't have the money to do all of that for a while. I never thought about painting that lattice but you're right, maybe another color would look good. I posted some extra pics for a closer view.

Totally agree with painting the white portions of the house, the concrete foundation the colonial blue of your roof. That would look amazing. Also, add some shrubery and flowers and put gravel in the driveway. Just Google "Landscaping a bungalow," for ideas. Make sure you put "Landscaping a bungalow" in quotes when you Google it. That way you filter the results to what you actually want. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=landscaping+a+bungalow&FORM=HDRSC2

First would be to remove all chain link - realtors say it is #1 for ruining the value of a property. Pull out all the shrubery & mow the lawn. Take a drive through the neighborhood to see if others have tackled similar homes. Take pics & notes on what they've done. Look around this site under "more spaces" and "home exteriors" to see similar ones to take ideas from. If the blue?? metal roof must stay, there is the guide for what you can do colorwise. Do you have a sample of the roofing to take with you when you paint shop? Paint all the brick & concrete, including retaining wall where you'll need a bed & trailing plants to fall over it. Replace shutters & add 2nd set on the front more in line with the home's historical style. Paint them another color to complement the blue roof. The railing & underpining for the porch will need to match the historical style too. Bust out some of the retaining wall & put in wider steps & a new walk up to the front. Sending a link for inspiration.