The porch area will remain as is and already has the board and batten style, we'll just give it a fresh coat of white paint. I hear you on the columns, I suppose I should have been more clear. We trend towards modern but don't mind the craftsman-type style as well since some homes on our block are craftsman. Thus we thought the columns would be a nice touch regardless. Garage doors - seem to be in good condition so really wasn't looking to replace but I'm open to refinishing them in a gel-stain perhaps. I've seen some folks do a wood colored gel-stain the looks decent so I can try that. Our front door is hidden but we replaced that as well and need to decide on a color to match the exterior.

Maybe -- you will need someone local to tale a look.

Congratulations, that’s a pretty cool space! But you are right, there is a lot going on, and losing the diagonal lines would help. What about replacing them with drywall?

youre asking for advice and what has been given you say, "we can't do that". You say you don't "care for the front door", but not sure if you want to change it. the yellowish color 'must stay'. Changing the house to white, with the dark trim really looks more modern. I like it, but not sure if we'll change it. We aren't magicians! You have to be willing to change things if you want an updated look. what about the landscaping? the garage door? Spanish? absolutely. Celerygirl gave you some nice examples. But you're going to have to paint. sorry, but that stucco color is blah. I love this one I put a few elements onto your home. It would look 100X better w/white stucco and charcoal gray trim. copper accents, some landscaping. Paint the brick planters. new or painted garage door. And I love this one too. If you copied either one of these, you'd not only increase your home value, you would be the envy of everyone on the block! Spanish or modern, pick one of these. and please, do the landscaping like either one too. they're stunning. your faded red brick and sad plants are not conducive to an updated style. You don't have to spend a huge amount on the yard if you're willing to put in the work yourselves. go for a xeriscape yard if you're in So.Cal. Can you do a window on the upper left? that plain spot is really distracting. on this photoshop I gave you siding (and this is where you can bring in your composite wood slats) and an extra window. painted the door, and you seriously need some landscaping. that alone is over 50% of the look. so imagine this wood siding on your upper left portion. dark trim, and I'm sorry, but the yellow/beige stucco needs to go. another shot of the wood on the upper left I love this remodel they did. reverse of yours, but you could do a regular siding w/dark window trim, wood accents Modern Farmhouse look? do a board and batten siding on the upper left half. dark trim, wood accents. you could paint your door black, garage too, and get some glass in the garage. you mentioned craftsman. you'd have to change a lot to get a craftsman look like this one or this one Modern upgrades: I'd want to address the left side at the minimum. maybe put an arbor over the middle portion, or make a sitting area w/a pergola attached to the house. you can image search 'front house pergolas' to get ideas. or wood arbors on front of home.