"Eclectic lakeside community ... in Atlanta" sounds Pine Lake-ish.

For "updating" (which I consider to be generally improving, not modernizing; it might even be making it more old fashioned) the house, the first thing I'd do when painting time rolled around is get rid of the cartoonish chartruese color. It does not seem tasteful for a house. (Yes, that's just my opinion ... but after a lot of looking at a lot of houses over a long period of time.)

The next thing I'd do is put back the shutters, which add charm. I abhor the current fad of plain-Jane-ifying houses by removing shutters. (Again, my opinion.)

I can't say that the awning above the door is the greatest, but it is better than nothing. I'd make a long term plan of coming up with some sort of porch or porch roof. Also, you need to expand the stoop size to make it seem welcoming instead of cheap. Of course, there needs to be a nice landing and walk. That's something you'd calculate out on a plan. My illustration of it is merely suggestive. Add some seasonal color around the stoop.

How you'd actually lay out a bed line has a lot to do with the permanent shade patterns. You might have a goal similar to the illustration, if it's possible ... trying to place trees in the bed/islands. The shady parts of the yard should be groundcover, with grass only where there is sunlight enough to grow it well.

One planting combo that always looks pretty terrible is a tree coming up under another tree, jamming into its canopy as a 12' Christmas tree would do to an 8' ceiling. Remove the smaller tree. It will quickly be forgotten and the larger tree can be groomed.

The picture is too far away to show specifics of the foundation planting area. Take it as a general guide. Use can use any kind of plant material you want ... natives ... or natives from other lands.

I don't really have suggestions for a porch. You might find an architectural forum that could help you with that. I didn't see the shutters before, but misfits are probably not going to be flattering. But the right ones would.

Iris, it you take a better picture of your house you can use one of the paint brand visualizers to color your house. The current photo is not good but I made a few images,

I also think your house would be nice in white.

I like the simplicity or Yardvaarks image.

I once trellised in the side of such a carport and planted on it big climbing roses & clematis. Doesn't look like you have enough sun for roses, but Atlanta has plenty of large vine options for shade.

I think your house is adorable. Looks like a low maintenance lawn. I would spend my money redoing the awning over the stoop to something more architectural maybe mimicking the lines of the carport. Or if you want a screened in porch do it now, you will not regret it. In mosquito country it is a necessity for any time outside. I love the chartreuse yellow! It looks fun. Sit on your new screened in porch with a glass of lemonade and envision what you want to be looking at from that view. My point is, spend your money where you can get the most bang/enjoyment for your buck first.

Find a copy of Landscaping with Native Plants of the South, by Sally Wasnowski. It has lots of ideas for layouts and pictures of specific native plants and how to use them. I have been using it for 20 years. There are many shrubs and ferns that would be right at home in your garden. Also checkout Garden Hood Nursery at 353 Boulevard, right near you. They have lots of native plants and can even help with design.

some more ideas (all native plants)

The porch on this house should be a shed roof, not a gable.

New look

I was thinking the same thing, a long porch along the front.