I think some structure and focus is needed to simplify the details. The basic structure looks very traditional to me, with cottage details added to the facade. I think I'd stick with more traditional elements; traditional shutters, for instance, rather than board & batten. I'm not understanding all the different window styles, either. Even the porch area has yet another style (transom) going on back there in the shadows; and the paned door sort of adds another to the mix. The shutters are also much too narrow and inappropriate for the style of some of the windows. The ledger stone is not very visible where placed, but also is too busy with the shake siding. I think I'd eliminate the detail on the peak mouldings, and just do them plain, though the porch header will need some detailing. The dark roof areas in the peaks are distracting. If they're functional, and with a gray house, I think I'd do those to match the siding and blend in; though you said you were thinking of another color, like green. If they're just decorative, I'd eliminate them. I'd also do white railings on the porch and not introduce wrought iron. Having only two posts on the porch also looks odd to me. I think I'd add another or reconfigure in some way. Sorry, but it looks like someone was trying to do too many different things on this one house. I'd be worried if this was my builder. I would look for someone, whose work you like, that can help you to pull the exterior together in a cohesive way. Otherwise, some very expensive and permanent mistakes are apt to occur. Good luck working it all out. It's a tremendous undertaking!

I don't know what your zone is, but having large evergreen shrubs against the house around my way (zone 5, 4 seasons), creates problems by holding moisture and debris against the house which harbors insects and causes dust and mold to collect, which some people (like me) are sensitive to. If you want to replace those with a flowery, cottage garden, go for it! But only if you love to fiddle and fuss with the garden. I have a flowering border against a rock wall just like you describe. There are many beautiful dwarf flowering shrubs to choose from, but make sure they are dwarf. A flowery cottage garden doesn't lend itself to big shrubs and evergreens. We have large, hardy clumping perennials as our backdrop, and also trellises, which have a conical shape. Remember, repetition is your friend. You can have a few surprise single elements but too many and it just looks like a hodge podge. Also, perennial gardens looks kinda stark until late summer so plant for some spring interest. If you like to sit on the front porch, you have a great spot for a fountain there too, if you really want to go all out. They are a pain though, particularly in the sun due to algae growth, but if some of that area gets shaded by the house, it could work. Here's a photo, the blue stuff is Russian sage. There are coneflowers in there and rudbeckias and blanket flower and yarrow, and some small knock out roses in other places. No lilies but they would look great there, but where this garden is the deer would have them as their nightly salad. The trees in the background are redbuds but we have crab apples in the front yard in front of this garden. There is a big decorative bird bath off to the right which you can't see in this photo.

Yes those V shaped things at the top of your post should be removed. It shouldn't be difficult. Your hanging baskets need to hang lower. Go to your big box store and have them cut you some heavy chain in about 1 to 1 1/2 ft length to lower the baskets. Most baskets need to be watered at least every 2 days, some times every day depending on the weather. Also once a week submerge the whole basket in a bucket of water and let it sit for a half an hour to an hour to re-dehydrate the soil. I like the idea of a yellow front door and yellow flowers. It is only paint. Tell the hubby if he doesn't like it, it can be repainted. Take him with you when you go pick out the paint and have him pick out 3 yellows he likes and then you choose between them. That way he has a stake in the color. If you don't like any that he picked out just buy the color you like and wait a few week to paint. Then when he says it doesn't look the same just tell him it is hard to visualize a color from a little paint chip. Lucky me my husband lets all the decorating up to me. If it was up to him he would buy a 5 gallon bucket of white paint and paint everything in and out the same.

I like the sweet potato color for the door. (but maybe toned down a bit) Any Autumn color or soft sage greens will work. here's a muted brick color. I also gave you an address plaque. think about doing some numbers on the front there. I'd concentrate more on the surrounding landscaping (the flower bed next to the stone on the right side) since that will make more of a first impression. personally I'd remove those hedges on the left. they do nothing for the space. spend a few thousand and find a landscaper to spruce up the front. post this pic over in landscape design w/your regional area, and they should have some pointers for you. if you want maximum price for the house, you have to make them want to come inside.