I like the pergola idea but I would be concerned about cutting the natural light coming through that window into the interior space beyond.

Oh, that's true. That one window faces the morning sun....
What if: no pergola, replace the door with one with glass to bring in more light, paint the one post the same as the house color, hardscape with a flagstone patio almost the whole front yard, small water fountain on the left wall (but not too close to the front door to avoid splashes), climbing vine on the post, vase planters with simple greenery on the right wall, then curved flagstone sidewalk away from the middle of the patio ending at the driveway (where I stood to take the picture)?

Yes, I have all these ideas in my head all at the same time. I need to eliminate some of them. :)