WOW, there is a lot to work with.

What is the material on the upper portion? stucco? siding?

The steps are the least of your worries. I'd start with removing the metal railing and uprights. Replace with wooden posts and railing. Paint the entire house one color. Paint all the trim(s) a complimentary color. Do the doors match? the sconces look quite far apart. Do you need all the Lights on the stair? ... if you like the black accents, I'd paint the house white and paint all the trims Black.

Have you thought of painting the window trim black? How about painting the iron work on the balcony black as well?

I would not paint the brick, but paint the siding a green that compliments the brick.

i looked up Monterey Colonial and interestingly enough found most images show a white house with black shutters. Second place goes to creamy white or creamy yellow.

No to painting the brick but honestly replace that window on the left with a nice simple picture window no shutters or heavy blinds in side. IMO the biggest issue it he entry steps and the fancy metal support posts. I think you need a really good arhitect to get the best advice. IMO that whole front landscape and entry steps need to be remove dand replaced with a nice modern looking set of entry steps sort of like this if you truly want modern I love the front doors and I would strive for a kind of MCM exterior a nice glass and metal railing for the upper deck and new outdoor lighting would be my choice to moderize this house

I would buy your house in a flash as is, and the only things I would want to immediately change are instantly getting rid of the 4 carriage lamps (round globe lights might be fun near the door

Lorient 1L Bronze Outdoor Globe Post Light Clear Glass · More Info

, but I think I would do flowers or art rather than lighting at the street level).

Second thing I’d want to do immediately is something different with the left window.. I’m not sure what.

I wouldn’t paint the brick but I would paint the siding and the concrete (not necessarily the same color). Then after that I’d possibly paint the metalwork railing upstairs as well. I’d have loads of flowers and trailing vines coming from the upper railings, New Orelans style.

I think the window needs to have some Spanish colonial flair to it. This isn’t exactly what I would want but I’d be headed in this direction

Spanish Colonial Remodel · More Info

I removed the railing. Redoing the steps. Would love to hear ideas around color and siding :)

Wow! What a difference.

Do you know what railing you'll use? I think your house has an Art Deco feeling.

I'm not sure yet. Maybe cable railing?

You will need to find out if cable railing is to code where you live but I would do a simple metal and glass railing Sorry I think you ar eleaning toward MCM keep up the good work and honestly I see nothing art deco about this house.

This is where we are so far: