A covered porch would be the key I think, as you yourself suggested. It would help add interest your house for sure!

I think that the color of your house is fighting with the color of the brick. Is your brick painted? I ask because it looks very uniform in color. If it's already painted, you could consider changing the color a bit (or whitewashing it maybe?) but if it isn't, I wouldn't paint it and just paint the wood something warm like Monroe Bisque (a creamy yellow). See the house pictured in the thread below:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0712244120374.html

Thanks for the suggestions. The brick isn't painted and the siding is vinyl so we can't paint it and it's only a couple years old. I think we're stuck on the color for now.

We're thinking porch as one part to a solution.

Got it - you are thinking structure and we just want to help with the simple inexpensive things. Washing your brick with creamy greige paint (watered down by half - like sw perfect greige) would help tie it to the siding and make it a bit more antiqued without losing its brickness. The front door is the wrong color of red to go next to terracotta too - you need something more red-orange - like sw chinese red, but a warm black would also look better - match the shutters. Where they reworked the garage, not sure you should do more than correct the window header - the tops of all the windows and doors across the front should match - instead of a covered porch, a more inexpensive option is an open white trellis that could run level with the bump out at the second floor - some clerestory windows above that on the right - an odd number of squares, for instance, might help bring balance. . .

Thanks for the suggestions. We're also looking plant ideas that might help? More color perhaps or larger bushes?

I wouldn't put larger bushes as you don't want them to grow in front of windows, blocking light. You could add a nice curved rock bed like this that extends beyond corner of house. Plant a tree on left side, same as in picture. The curved lines of new bed would break up angular lines of house. Ask for plant advise from a local nursery. Plants depend on your area, and how much you want to tend to them, among other things.
I think the siding on your house would look good painted sage green, and I noticed a few of the exteriors on your inspiration board had green exteriors!
Agree to changing window and a porch or portico would be nice also.

Forgot the pic..

A front porch would look very nice on your home but the cost of it can also be very expensive unless you can do most o the work yourselves ,here is an idea



A flower bed and pathway would give the home curb appeal ,