I concur with HERE Design- you could spend a lot of money only to wish you would have left it alone, well except that one gable. I too think it would look better to match the rest of the house.

Yes to:
Changing columns
Removing stonework on gable
Replacing shutters with real, operable ones
Contrasting trim/shutter/body of house color
Updating landscaping (too many little round shapes) just a little shaping and maybe some more shrubs in front of and between the larger ones.

No to changing the siding treatment on other gables.
I think the house is very attractive, it has pleasing proportions

Those are some thoughtful suggestions. Thank you for the input. It always helps to have another set of eyes to take a look and give an opinion. The cement siding on the house needs to be repainted/touched up and chalked better so I think now is a good time to decide whether to change the color. Like y'all said, I think a contrast with the shutter/trim/body would look good. I just didn't know if I should stop there, but I think the consensus is not to do too much and make it too busy.

The basic architectural elements are quite well balanced with the exception of stone / brick veneer on that one gable.. The shutters add a nice touch but I would include the details above the windows in the contrasting colors it will make them look taller and accent the feature to better advantage. I agree with mforr re the landscape. maybe you can group these shrubs in better proportion and open the view of the house. The trim around the gables can also be in the contrasting color and this will sharpen up the appearance of the house like an edge around a collar on a jacket. Re windows frames and shutters. don't be afraid to use more than one color see people like Benjamin Moor who have heritage palettes and the like where you can put 3 colors or contrasting shades to quite a understated but dramatic effect.

Replace the posts,add a fence.redesign the garden.

This is an older thread, hope they'll post an update