I think having both the garage and 2nd story white makes the eye travel back and forth between the two and in doing so focus more on the space above the garage in a way that it wouldn't as much if those two sections were not the lightest sections of the house.

How about a line of trees on that slope, to visually disconnect the house from the garage? (Don't build an addition just to increase curb appeal!)

If you love being outside (and it's convenient to put a door in the kitchen, and maybe the DR or LR) how about a deck? You could grow herbs (right off the kitchen), bbq, entertain, even consider doing a screened in porch. Just remember to screen under the floor too cuz those mosquitos can crush a cocktail party.

This would probably cost as much as an addition but its the steep slope of the yard that makes it look crazy, I wonder if leveling off the yard with a retaining wall along the driveway would look better. Then remove all the too small shutters and beef up the porch posts and railings. Tone down all the white to a taupe color.

It's the color of the garages that make that section seem disconnected!

Good point about the garage color. The other thing is that the front yard needs a specimen tree, or three that add interest to the yard. All you see is an uphill view that focuses on the house. A nice central patch of tree(s) would add interest and soften the look of the house. A deck would NOT cost the same as an addition. Serious? I've done many of these. If you want to add outdoor space and light into your house (the doors leading to the deck) then it would be money well spent. Hardly the cost of an addition.