Get rid of the cheap shutters. Do you even need the railing? I doubt it is structural, but code might say you need it. I think the vertical siding over the garage door should be replaced to match the rest of the house. I think a sage green would look great on your exterior as well.

Landscaping big time as wel.

I have always liked stone, so I personally would not get rid of it.

I would install new large porch columns and a wooden railing to give more privacy when sitting on the porch. It needs new landscaping. Those tall shrubs in front of the house are a fire and security hazard.

I think you're house is darling and wish that our mid century ranch had sweet details like the window with shutters on the left and the vertical, scalloped siding on the right.

A wrought iron railing is perfect for your house because it's nearly invisible. In researching our own front railing I learned the design principle that you don't want your porch railing to cover up your front windows. A thick railing would be taller than your window sill height and wouldn't look right.

I'm concerned you have 3-4 trees planted within 8 feet of your house. They're too close and should be removed/moved.

Retro renovation is a good resource for houses like yours. Here's one article about curb appeal. https://retrorenovation.com/2009/04/10/17-ideas-to-add-curb-appeal-to-your-40s-50s-or-60s-house/

I would not do wooden planks unless you intend to remove all mid century character inside and outside. They don't jibe with the original details of your home.

This color scheme is what inspired the color on my own home. I thing it would look good on yours as well:

I'd use diluted beige paint to whitewash over the stone. You'd keep the texture and the stone look, but reduce the color contrast. http://erin-artandgardens.blogspot.com/2013/02/painted-stone-fireplace-before-and-after.html

At second glance, it looks like the tree on the corner of the garage needs to be removed as well.

I'm speaking from experience on the tree removal. We bought this house because it had such nice trees, but over the course of five years we've developed quite the relationship with an arborist and a tree care company, having to spend thousands of dollars to remove about 12 trees from our property because of hazards and disease.

I'd start with tree removal because it can negatively impact your structure and can suck up a chunk of budget.

Great starting point! We may be biased but suggest updating windows and doors. I'd also pay attention to some landscaping and include some outdoor lighting.

Lion windows and doors - What would you suggest for windows and door? I'd be interested in what you'd suggest.

Carol, I like the stone on your house but right now there is so much contrast between the stone and the siding. I would pick a darker color in the stone and paint the house a more earthy taupe color. I don't think the wrought iron works with your house. The posts need more mass. I'm thinking a rough sawn cedar post. It appears that the change in elevation from the porch is less than 30" so it wouldn't require a railing, but you could keep one to provide visual separation. I would also replace the scalloped siding over the garage. If you're going to keep shutters then a rough cedar like the railing would look good. You could also replace the garage door with a wood stained door. And of course freshen up the landscaping.

If you're interested in seeing some virtual makeovers of your house check out my web site, Creative Visual Concepts.

I could show you how your house could look with various changes.