Your style of house doesn't really lend itself to a large front porch. I think you might add some more substantial columns and maybe paint the shutters to change the look. I agree with not painting the brick

Must agree that the colonial is not a great candidate for a front porch unless you want to do an entire makeover - concentrate on the trim around the lovely porch gable you have - reworking columns and trim is as far as I think you want to go. Plant new trees or add landscape . .

How about one more like this, not the full width of the house, just covering the windows to the left and right of the door. http://www.city-data.com/forum/attachments/raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-cary/24559d1217607610-so-where-your-dream-house-located-front-porch.jpg
and http://st.houzz.com/simgs/7e1170c00fd6006a_4-5592/traditional-porch.jpg

Here are some porch ideas.......I think that a front porch across the front would look great.
The only question that you may have to ask the local building department if there is a setback from the street that might limit your porch........

You have a pretty colonial! I think adding more of a portico would be a big change to add some interest and dimension. Here are a couple ideas, one simple, the other more of the wow!

Here you go!
Extra trim
http://houzz.com/photos/744868

Front portico
http://houzz.com/photos/11854175

paint white downspouts the color of your brick to make them fade away.

What do you all think of adding something similar to this?

By hanging properly sized shutters on hinges, you will add a lot of interest to the facade, thanks to the subtle shadows the shutters and hinges will cast. The difference between shutters simply screwed to the siding next to the windows and ones installed authentically is quite dramatic, in my opinion.

I like the idea of a front porch too. I'm a bit concerned about how the new porch roof will intersect with the roof of the front-facing gable. Be careful to make the porch tall enough to give it the correct proportions. Too short and the second story will seem much to heavy. For this reason, a smaller portico, such as the one suggested by Laura K Designs may be the better bet.