I agree, new front door, and some planting. The main problem is that everything is unrelieved red-brown! walls, windows, door, drive. Except the garage door, which then looks like a mistake! This is a common problem. You need to break up the brown. Render or cladding is probably overkill, there are more subtle solutions. Please don't put in an oak or stained timber door. It might look great in its own right, but will just be changing one brown for another! A painted timber (or composite) door would be best, with the garage door painted to match. Choose a shade of grey or green, avoid red and purple, as you need a good contrast to the brick. Ideally change the windows to cream, or grey-green, but if not, try the shutters. They are a bit 1960s, but might actually suit the style of this house! Painted to match the doors. Consider taking up some small areas of paving near the house to allow planting to create a break between the brick drive and the brick house!

love this fireplace. A mantel would really distract from its elegance. Yes, absolutely do not let the painting rest on the surround. the width of the one already there is better proportioned than the one on the left. the desk is beautiful but needs to echo the fireplace by placing a taller lamp on its left, where the poinsetta is. Drop the painting above it, lower, & gradually add two more paintings above, (just play!) so you have 3 which will echo the line of the fireplace. The arrangement within the fireplace needs to reference the lovely stone & I would find a simple large glass jar & fill with tall cow parsley, grasses or anything country & natural in season. Tall lilies if you must. Do not forget the power & softness of foliage... Go for a walk & find an interesting piece of bark or stone to put to the left of the tall Glass jar or both to sustain the always decorate in 3's rule! (Find some greenery while you are at it!). Above all do not ruin the simple beauty of your room..I envy you your fireplace, a few easy tweeks & you are there!! you could do it today!

Just for the record I think this is a lovely looking mid century property and i feel it benefits from the shape of the chimney and the dormer window. Without them you'd have a featureless aspect! Even if you retain the white windows, (because that's a huge job), I would definitely change your front door to something that isn't PVC. White PVC doors date properties, but not in a charming way. If you have a hefty budget then horizontal wood cladding (or that faux wood porcelain stuff, that's already greyed) would elongate the walls and make it look wonderful. Might try a mock up on my old laptop.

If you feeling brave, dark stains such as black look stunning and help the building to visually recede against the backdrop of vegetation. It's the tradition finish for agriculture buildings and has a very contemporary look. I'd contrast it with a pale grey deck or beige gravel or stone if you want something warmer. The building needs grounding in its setting, ie. connect it with a path and some planting to prevent it looking like it's been dropped from space! It's going to be a great facility to have in the garden.