Well, if you want to incorporate gray, easy fix, paint it gray! "Modernize"? It's very traditional looking..... would require some structural changes starting with front entry / porch.

I think it all needs to be painted the same color even if the brick comes out more of a wash. To me there is too much contrast between the brick and the "wings" that look like were added.

If you want to change the color of the brick, look into staining the brick instead of painting. The stain will not bubble or peel like paint would.

Good luck!

I would not paint the brick. Yes, remove the shutters from double windows. Leave the shutters on the single windows. Paint the siding a color as deep as the red in the bricks.

The portico looks to me like it was not original to the house.

I agree with Bailey. If you like gray, go gray. There was another thread where a brick company recommended staining instead of paint. I am not familiar with that process, but there is nothing that says you have to have brick that is red.

I recommend looking around at some painted and stained traditional brick houses in the photos area of Houzz and find some you like.

I would not, however, remove the shutters. You could paint them a similar color to the siding to downplay them. But they're costly to replace and suit the style of the home well.

Here are some pics to get you started:

Brick & Limestone Facade · More Info

Morningside Make-Over · More Info

Architecture Walk: Exterior Styles and Palettes · More Info

Silver OBIE Award Winner: Buckhead Custom Home · More Info

Buckhead renovation · More Info

This feels like a classical style of house that will be poorly served by whitewashing the brick for this week's trend. Darken the siding to a gray that matches the brick/grout, and see if that does the trick for you. Not every house has to try to be a modern one -- you might just end up with a Borg hybrid...

Stain it rather than paint the brick