Your house has good strong lines. Are you thinking about painting the dark wood a lighter color? Or new landscaping? Paint and pruning can go a long way. Some new emphasis on the front door would be attractive.

Will the large shrubs flower in spring? How much do you like them?

To stay true to your home's roots and its design, I think you have to stay dark on that vertical siding. I think our company has done a couple of these in dark green on that siding and maybe one in dark blue but always staying within those degrees of change. Because the design of your home ties it to the area surroundings and landscaping, going really different on those few areas that aren't brick would create havoc with the eye.

Thanks for responding. I would love to paint the wood a lighter color, maybe a very light yellow, or cream. I am Not attached to the giant bushes. A couple of them flower, but only a couple weeks a year. I think the old brown screen doors need to be taken away as well.
The whole front just feels very tired.

What could we do if we didnt stay true to the house's design...?

I 2nd the dark gray paint idea. Do lose the bushes starting with the one blocking your bench. If you can handle the extra work of gardening I could see adding a mixture of plants and flower border along the pathway.