I would stay with casements or sliders (I prefer casements) as your windows are wider than they are tall. Because of newer and better materials, what was a three wide unit (last picture) when the home was built can now be done with only two panels so that will give you more of an "open" feeling. Some of the two wide units may also be done in one wide depending on the overall width (e.g. a window 36" would have been two - 18" panels. Now you can have a single window 36" wide). I also agree with eliminating the grids or divided lites unless you feel strongly about them.

Could you please add photos that show the whole property side to side from the street or sidewalk? Go stand opposite the front door by the curb and take one straight on photo towards the house. Then still standing in the same spot, take one or two photos to each side so that we can see the entire front property from the left boundary to the right in a series of 3-5 photos. That will give us an overview that includes the entire space. Then walk up to a distance of 15’ or so from the house and again take a series of photos so we can see a bit of lawn, but mostly closer views of the walkway, drive, and potential planting areas closer to the house. A few goals for the space would be nice as well. Do you want the front yard or porch as a play area for kids or a seating area for relaxing? Are you just looking for ”curb appeal”? Do you enjoy gardening, or are you looking for easy maintenance? Do you live on a busy road and want some visual separation, or do you want to be able to sit on the front porch and greet neighbors? Etc.

I think that's a great setup and something I'd love to have in my own yard. Of course it could be spruced up and used! If you aren't comfortable DIY you can hire a mason work or fireplace specialist to come take a look.

Since it sounds like redoing the entire kitchen is off the table, I think I would just choose a brighter hardware and lean into the look a little bit instead of doing things to "correct" it. A brighter solid color laminate counter would probably look better than the current one. Note that with a typical electric free-standing range such as yours the side clearances are typically 1"-0" to vertical combustible surfaces. And if you do not notice any evidence of scorching in the 40 or more years this range has been in place, it's probably not an issue. Check the specs on your new range. This can sometimes be compensated for by 1/4" millboard and a metal panel mounted to the cabinet as shown in these specs from a currently offered electric range as noted in the lower left hand corner. If you were going to redo the entire kitchen and spend upwards of $50,000, you would probably change a number of things about this kitchen, of course. Since it sounds like this is off the table, I would recommend making a few cosmetic changes to brighten it up a bit and work with it instead of against it. Don't try to make it look like it is 2023, that is not going to happen with a limited budget and that's fine. Don't let people try to shame you into a project you do not want to do or have the budget for just because it does not meet their needs of what a kitchen is supposed to be. There is nothing wrong with spending a couple thousand dollars on this kitchen instead of $50,000 if that's what you want to do. It's not an all or nothing proposition.