And don't forget to talk to your contractor and/or landscaper. We can't tell from the close-in pic you posted, but it's likely that the contractor is going to do some back-filling near the house. They will probably bring in some dirt and slope it away from the foundation to ensure that water drains away properly. This back-filling will mean that maybe the porch won't be quite so high above ground level as you think it might be. Even so, I personally think not doing railings on a porch makes the porch look "unfinished", like they forgot to come back and install the railings. I like to see railings even on porches that are just several inches above grade. The *steps* may not need a handrail if you have only 1 or 2 steps, but I think the porch needs railings. JMHO

Chiflipper is right. Repairs first, then cosmetics. Easy and inexpensive to fix the railing(s). As for the stairs, I would go in this direction for cosmetic changes or really gray treads and white risers.

I‘m in Cali too. Not sure, but it looks like the LA metro area. The thing that immediately stood out for me is the landscape mix of rocks and brick. I would have chosen one or the other. I could see a pale yellow on the stucco (I think the current color is too close to the roof color; reminds me of the popular colors of the 90s). I could also see removing the wrought iron decorative post (not sure if that is orginal based in the design) and put in a railing along that side, with a design tilting toward the 1950s. I am not the biggest fan of security doors, but understand why some really like the functionality of it. If it were my house, I would remove the security door and put in a stained wooden door. Love the original mail slot. I have a 1950s house too that is in Los Angeles proper that has the white wood siding too (vertical vs horizontal slats), but the stucco parts are a dark green with a dark brown painted front door. We also have wrought iron, but in the house. It acts as a wall near our staircase. I doubt ours is original too as the design does not fit the year the house was built (1958-59).

So much depends on whether you will spend much time on the porch..and if a porch elsewhere would be used more..is it facing or close to the street?..if you want to develop an outdoor living space it should also have an element of privacy..where you can dine..entertain…relax ..without people driving by viewing your activities…