I would remove the shutters ASAP, and put in a modernist-type front door (possible with staggered panes). Then you could use horizontal siding (either wood or some other material) with a cable railing near the front door.

And yes, I agree with Carolyn about removing existing landscaping and replace it with modernist block

It looks like the stairs are off center? Is it possible to get a picture of the how the entry looks?

Removing the shutters and changing out the second story windows to smaller, horizontal ones would help. I'd also swap the porch railings for horizontal ones, change the first floor siding to something smooth and continue the horizontal railing across that wall, or side it in natural wood.

I also agree with removing the shutters and changing the columns. I would also suggest painting the front door dark brown or gray.

Agree with removing shutters. I'd flip the color scheme here. Whatever is dark, take light, and vice versa. Except for the dark gutter downspouts. They should be the house color so they recede. (Just don't go TOO dark.) You need to consider the colors in your brick, and the color of your roof. Something like a taupey/gray with a very light gray trim could work. The lighter color on your posts would make them show up more, and read "larger". In making them actually bigger, you run the risk of the one on the far right obscuring your door sidelights. Horizontal rails or a cable system within the existing frame would definitely be more modern. Within the new color scheme, a colored door could work. Although your photo doesn't show the garage door, how you deal with that could make a big difference. I'd take out the shrubs and begin anew. For starters, take out the edging. Seed grass in the currently bare piece and let it grow over to the driveway, and develop the bed around the stairs. The stairs look interesting, and seem like they could be a more modern element if they showed more. Consider low evergreens, deciduous plants with colored bark and grasses. A sculptural tree like a Japanese maple could be pretty there at the corner of the bed where the stairs turn to go up. Glad you found a house that works for you! :)

Lets just say that any modification to columns will require a professional and that's a huge rabbit hole to jump down. Alternately paint is cheap. Most paint suppliers have tritons color schemes that are sympathetic to a region preselected and that's a cheap place to start. Native vegitations are also a sure fire bet, and with a little legwork you and yours should be able to generate a list of things you like. Plant as you go. Regional Wild flower seed is fun too.
Or hire a pro to tear it down to studs and bare dirt...

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!! I didn't realize how much of an investment the column change would be, so perhaps we'll play with color and landscaping for now, along with removing the shutters. (In the meantime we have a structural engineer coming in to look at some internal work so I can consult with him then.)

We're definitely replacing the door/sidelites and I'm playing with the idea of full frosted glass which I think will help, too. Here are some more pictures for those who asked...

The columns appear in order when you consider door and window placement, pam. I wouldn't be concerned.
There are quite a few stairs to the entry, and the concrete steps are centered to the windows. Maybe the porch could be closed off and the front door moved to the windows? You could add glass doors leading to the porch. Good luck with the remodel. How exciting!

Here are few ideas for deck/porch railing. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4215726/thumbs/Deck-Cable-Railing-by-The-Cable-Connection

Thanks for the recommendation for a cable railing! I love that look, though we have young kids who would just see it as a fancy modern ladder ;) I'll have to revisit that one in 15 years!

Cable railing is beautiful to behold, expensive to buy, and easily damaged by children.

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You've got a smokebush there (the reddish shrub)- you can prune it to the ground in early spring and it will come back with a much nicer form!

thanks, jforrestj! that's really helpful!