I'm not familiar with what grows in Texas, but can you place colorful impatiens uner the tree in the shade? But the shrubs in front of the window to the height of the window sill.

I think I'd take out those pom-pom cedars flanking the window and the hedge in front of it. The palm fern looks dead to me, so that needs to come out too. Does he have a green thumb or will he prefer low-maintenance? It will be difficult to cultivate those two strips of dirt flanking the walkway. When budget allows, I'd rip out the porch and walk and replace with wall to wall flagstone pavers. Then you can set pots of bloomers on it. If hostas thrive in the area, they can work in dappled shade and might do well under the tree. How do azaleas do there? White azaleas would be pretty under the window. Try dwarf sizes so they don't overgrow their welcome.

I would take out everything in front of the window (especially the two anchor shrubs that are too big and don’t look healthy) and do a sweeping, curved bed from the corner of the sidewalk to the corner of the house. I’d do a mixture of shrubs, perennials, grasses, and/or annuals ... with a bench, birdbath, our native Tx stones, or something else decorative for interest. There are lots of plants that would love the dappled Texas shade. Local nurseries (not big box stores) should be good resources to get advice and ideas for his exact area.

I’d get rid of the low palm, it needs more sun and looks like it got winter damaged. Maybe move it?

The front door looks nice, I wouldn’t paint it.

For the front door area, he could do plants for color, or grasses if he likes a more monochromatic look. Extend the plantings around to the garage. I really like the atrium-look plants there give.

Impatiens, Caladiums, Liriope:

Mexican Feather Grass:

This is a lame mock-up, not the surface, color, or design I’d use, but wanted to show an idea if he widened the walkway. My app choices are limited. :) Only my opinion, but I like keeping beds there better, to soften up and add interest to all the hard surfaces. Usually I’m all for widening walks, but in this case, I think it’s too much hardscaping for this particular area. He might prefer it to beds, though.

I thought about grass along the walk to the door and then I thought about snakes in Texas. I'd use black river rock and a few pots of something.

The only snakes I’ve ever found in ornamental grass was in mature Pampas. Most smaller feather grasses aren’t enough cover for them to stick around, especially with foot traffic.