Totally agree Chroma. I might try removing shrubs and adding a boxwood hedge, hang ferns, add a rocker or two and a joggling bench.

Beautiful home! I agree about boxwoods with perhaps azaleas for color. I can't tell from the photo if there is anything growing at either end of the porch, but small ornamental trees like dogwood would help scale the landscape to your home. Have you looked on Houzz for a landscape professional in North Carolina?

Beautiful home! From this photo the exterior materials look to be in excellent shape, nicely maintained. I agree with posts above, landscaping upgrades only. Boxwood hedge, etc. symmetrical design, hire a local landscape design professional and have fun taking this home where it needs to go! Enjoy...

I like the idea of a couple of coloured shrubs for colour, but maybe a couple of tall spiral cedars in over large stone planters (traditional shape) would help with scale. Looking at the photo again, you need to restore the front steps and you might consider extending the brickwork at ground level, further towards the street for a somewhat grander entrance. But I'd try for a reclaimed local brick if it's available. A local landscape architect could steer you right.

Some fresh paint on the front steps would be nice :-)

Beautiful house!

I would prune the azaleas you have to about half the current height. Use a hand pruner so that they do not become little round balls or square boxes.

Paint the porch floor a real light cool gray and the porch ceiling a pale blue. Paint the shutters a real dark green:

When it is time to replace the roof, get architectural shingles: