It definitely looks more contemporary now.

Here's a more cottage looking ranch that I found.

It looks like if you lighten the paint, maybe go white that would go a long way. I think you could add a nice path to the street from your front door (apologies if there is one, just didn't see it in the picture), and I LOVE the look of that white fence in the photo above. Feels much more ranchy and cottage to me with that.

If you want to check out your house online in a different paint color, I would suggest Valspar.com. You can upload your photo of the exterior and try on some different house colors. I can't see this house looking "cottage" without spending a lot to change the contemporary windows, etc. I think you have to spend quite a bit of money to get that look.

The dark vertical lines give it a contemporary look so you need to eliminate them and add more horizontal lines.

EleVations link is exactly what I was thinking of.

Without replacing the entire facade - including the windows, brickwork and plantings - This house will never look like a cottage.

But why would you want to change it in the first place? You have a great house with beautiful brickwork that is low maintenance. Ripping this out and making it a "Cottage" would entail adding painted clapboards, etc which require a much higher degree of maintenance.

Looks like an old church - lol. I love yellow, reds. lavender and medium brown flowers. You could have colored flowers towards the back by the house and medium brown ones along the driveway - which would give it a balanced look. A picket fence would enhance it.

Also some palm grass planted at the end of the windowed portion on the right between the two hedges and under the windows would tie with your palm trees in the front.

I have to agree with bepsf. A ranch will never be a cottage without a MAJOR overhaul. Paint and plants won't change that. Sticking on a porch in a different style will never look right. I think it is a stunning example of a 70's ranch!

Thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback. I was thinking some of the same ideas that you all had....knee wall, white/grey with colorful plants. I also like the idea of focusing on horizontal lines with siding because there are so many vertical currently. I was also thinking of putting in a circular drive with pavers. I was also thinking of changing the windows to frence doors out to a patio. I love the idea of a white fence and path to the street. What do you all think?