What planting zone are you in? I would re-establish the grass across the drive, and maybe add a nice bench there. What kind of lighting is under the covered porch? I think the lanterns on the facade should be on the columns and the house number should be out by the street. I'm not crazy about the low border walls. Why not eliminate them and use the entire area between the drive and house as your planting bed? Low and dwarf evergreen shrubs that stay compact and don't grow to cover your windows would be the main item to establish your foundation plantings and look nice all year. Then you have the rest of the bed for color and interest with both annuals and perennials.

Thank you. We live in the desert southwest, so Zone 8a. I love the suggestions to take out the stone edging. It looks silly now that the ivy is gone! Any suggestions to the exterior of the actual house? Husband agrees- new lighting!

What do the experts on here (you reading this) feel about adding a pitch thing (obviously not what it is called) to the front such as this one:

Hahaaaa called a gable. And I think that would look very nice if done right. It’ll add detail and interest to the house as a whole. And focus on the entryway which I think is important.
Love the color scheme idea.
And I’d also remove the brick or stone lining the landscaping bed.

I think the gable will add another layer of darkness to the front entry which is already deeply recessed and doing the "black hole" thing. Not sure I'd want to tear into the roof to add one directly above the current porch area, and anything that makes the porch even deeper seems odd, IMO.

Could those columns be removed? That would open the entry a bit , and then you could consider a pretty, bright color for the door/ surround.

If it is in the budget I would seek a professional landscape/ hardscape plan. Some curves and varying surfaces could add interest and warmth to the rectangular house. It will look lovely!

You all really are experts!!!! THANK YOU!!!