I was thinking white but with the dark brown metal wrapped trim it would seem too jarring. Shall I try to see if the brown metal can be replaced with white? Ugh it looks like an old haunted house with the dated colors…

You could do a soft, warm green.

@ Sigrid: on the porch and posts or to replace the brown trim?

Assuming you need to keep the brown roof, tan siding, and ivory windows, then you need to find a color that works with all three. My thought would be either change the trim to the same ivory as the windows (including the flashing along the roof) or maybe a deep blue.

Oh and you might consider painting the porch railings unless you want them stained.