The hedge in the front steps gives you a more secluded path leading up to the stairs, which can be good, it needs to be trimmed though. With the doors and windows you have a farmhouse style happening, and mixing that with anything too modern might get confusing.

If you could manage it, and if it's in your budget, an attractive brick pathway and re-doing the stairs in the same brick (that can be the tricky/expensive part) might go a long way. If you did that however, you wouldn't want the hedge to block out the new pathway, so perhaps doing a lower to the ground mulch bed with some flowers or small shrubs.

See the attached photo for a bit of farm style pathway inspiration, and you can see a variety of mulch types on our Houzz photos page for inspiration. http://www.houzz.com/photos/users/majormulch

When it comes to mulch types, which you can read about on our website at http://www.majormulchorlando.com/mulch-types, for your style you would probably do best with something more natural, like bark mulch or hardwood mulch with no added color. If you did want a splash of color perhaps some gold or red mulch might do the trick, but for a more down home farm look I think natural is the way to go.

With some brick accents, some lower flower beds, and of course a fresh application of mulch you could have a well maintained look and feel to the property and you could really bring the farm style of the doors/windows to life.

I hope this helps!

The planting is overgrown, the fit tree is too tall. The mullions give it an English cottage look, which is not bad if that is your taste. The size of the house seems cottage like.

The house is charming. I would suggest keeping the windows and doors, but painting the front door. Your choice of red would work if you use a deep dark red.
I would also suggest clearing away the plants that are up against the house.

If you really want to change the look of the house to a contemporary design I would advice you to hire an architect to help you with the complete transition.