What's the entire house look like?

I'll suggest a new concrete pad, but if you do use wood, make it look like a porch instead of a deck.

We can't comment on columns because we don't know what the architectural style of the house is. I hope you realize that wood posts can't make contact with soil.

I agree with PPF, an enlarged concrete pad, maybe rimmed in brick, would be more in keeping with the brick house than wooden deck. I'd do the enlarged stoop, paint the columns white, finish the rest of the portico trim in white, put in more substantial carriage lanterns and a planter on each side. If you wanted to go full-out, black shutters and window boxes on the two first-floor windows.