You have great ideas and a very charming house!
The landscaping and portico are going to make a big impact!

I would change out the windows on the right and add an overhang over the windows and door.

You could extend the gable to form a canopy over the home entrance.

Here are some examples for inspiration.

Congratulations!

I agree, removing the shutters would help.

I wouldn't do window boxes, just nice plantings.

Window boxes leak muddy water down the siding.

the lower window will be hidden by the stair rail as your inspo pix shows, and the driveway bow window is too close to a walk from vehicle for a window box.

the far left would look odd man out. Plant a tall slim tree on the corner end of the home.

Landscaping, landscaping, landscaping. That's all the house really needs.

If you are determined to add a portico over the door, make sure it fits the house, and doesn't look like a bad stick on. What PPF drew looks good, but he also played with windows.

I actually like your 2nd picture/rendering. Looks great.

Cute house!! Good idea to keep the full glass storm door; I would replace the front door with something that has a square glass inset. Landscaping will really help.

Such a charming house - for landscaping I would lean towards fewer and larger plantings for a nice base, adding a fewsmall ornamental trees could break up all the lawn - for the front door, what about a simple metal awning?

I agree with La la. While all the examples shared look nice in the photos, they aren’tbthe same as the actual OP’s home.

I would research awnings.

I also like the idea of a red door.

Then just concentrate on a landscape plan.

I would remove all the shutters since they can't go on all of the windows.

Here's a visual of my suggestions...

I like the listed example, also your inspo picture. In both, carrying lighting to facing left side of the house will add balance. In your inspo phot there is a bizarrely placed black down light.