I don't understand what needs "updating " ??? Maybe improvements via paint, shutter removal & landscaping is all I see.

I like the brick, for siding color I'd select a darker color from the brick ( hard to tell from the picture).

I would keep everything nearly as you have it. It's a nice looking house.

Perhaps I would choose a shade bit lighter cream/tan color for the siding. Maybe paint the shutters a very dark green. Keep the brick because it helps tie with your roof.

When replacing the windows keep the look traditional with simulated or true divided panes.

When redoing the landscape, widen and enhance your front door stoop. Add two potted plants on either side of the door to reinforce the symmetry of the main home.

Lose the shutters. Maybe take a better picture of the brick if you want color help.

For a farmhouse look, I would suggest lime washing the brick, changing the siding color, switching the shutters to farmhouse style, and extending out the front to create a porch with pillars.

For a farmhouse style you could change the shutters, paint the brick white, and do some nice landscaping. Notice our farmhouse design below?

Farmhouse-Style Exterior · More Info