Lyfia-I like the idea of the low stucco walls along the front. We were thinking more Craftsman inspired with the pillars and roof gable,but we love Spanish style too. I have trouble picturing spanish w/o the tile roof, however. I love the idea of a pergola, mostly because I imagine it is less expensive than adding a roof structure. But I am having trouble picturing it in front of the house-I think of them as more casual, in a backyard setting. This picture was on the link you provided, and I do like the front pergola here: [Traditional Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by San Diego Architect Christian Rice Architects, Inc. I do want to turn that odd second door into a window, as that is the kitchen, which is currently windowless. That will then be incorporated into the kitchen reno. What about doing a lower, flatter roofline, similar to the garage, instead of the gable?

I like the shutters. Id get a new door either black or a bright color with matching colored large pots or urns with TOPIARIES flanking the entry. Also, add a small hedge "Minimalist Landscaping. On par with stripped-down details in Colonial homes, landscapes lack conspicuous ornamentation. Many rely on geometric combinations of shrubs and trees as a restrained softscape accent." Source: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/colonial-style-home-ideas/

Upgrade the swing. I too would start from scratch on the landscaping. Rocks are NOT mulch! I took 2 years to dig them out of a bed to make it useful. Add some daylilies when you redo it. You could upgrade the lantern lights. Make them 1/3 of the door's height. Your black urns are a bit too formal/classic for a Cape Cod cottage. The two white dormers are the first things I saw. Painting the door and sidelights white might pull the eye to the entry. If not, consider blending the dormers into the roof color.

Agree with you that landscape needs a lot of attention. Looks like there is nothing now so you have a blank slate. Adding plants & changing the hardscape will make a dramatic difference in the look of your house. How wide is the area with white rock? Do you know what was there before rock went in? It looks like really wasted space now. No clue as to your location & weather but wondering if small scale pavers would work to create additional parking & would also widen the walkway to house. If there’s soil under the rock, maybe the front 1/4 of the length could be converted to planting bed for small evergreens to soften the whole expanse & create a soft barrier between paver parking & house. The pavers lining walkway on both sides look like trip hazard & I’d remove them so there’s level surface across entire expanse of driveway, rocked area & grass. Widen & increase size of planting beds on right side of house - remove the small brick circle planting areas. A wide curved planting bed across the entire front of house would make such a difference. Again, no location clues except the trees with no leaves so you may be in a place that has a ”real” winter. If so, it’s a good time to find a landscape designer & have plans drawn for spring planting. If you’re so inclined, planting can be DIY to control costs but well worth it to get professional design. Check your local nurseries for help. As for the house, I agee with @cat_ky - house & roof looks like needs a good cleaning. Maybe a creamy white - not bright white - for siding parts & trim around windows The storm door should match window trim - looks like it’s black. Love the blue door color. Where are house address numbers? Add them to right of front door - large numbers. Add a new & much larger porch light. Not black for either numbers or light - too harsh - maybe bronze?