I think maybe what you were doing with the roof should have been part of the original plan, since you'd likely want any supports built into your base. A full overhang could look nice in porch terms, but will mean a lot less light in those windows -- but you have such thick curtains, maybe you don't get much anyway? Not clear how to give advice here...

You seem not to like your house brick, and are adding more of a non-matching red brick now in new landscaping. So maybe you should just paint all of the house one color?

Agreed - paint it! We pulled brick off above the foundation line and then painted the rest...Before After After2

I don't recommend painting brick as you exchange a no maintenance product for a long term maintenance issue. I agree that the dark trim, windows and door need to be changed. I would propose the following:

1) Paint the siding a darker tone (maybe a taupe, or gray that tones down the brick.

2) Paint the trim a soft creamy tan/white (depending on what color you painted the brick).

3) Paint the door a color that draws the eye.

4) Install landscaping.

5. Put some planters, rocking chairs, furniture etc. on the front porch.

6) If budget allows maybe do a pergola over the concrete porch.

If you would like to see some of these ideas virtually, check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts. I do mock ups to show you how your home might look after changes are made.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/design