Ha ha! Want to know something funny? When I first saw the yellow house, I thought how nice and refreshing those rich colors looked, then I read the post. So, obviously, that look is not for you. Based on what you have told us, you are, er, conservative (doesn't have to be boring), and a bit more traditional. That said, you seem to be dismissing the advice to repaint the front door out of hand, but IMO that will give you The Most Impact, and for the least $$! Please reconsider. A pale blue or gray that plays off the white and the green colors while do much to brighten the entryway. Let's talk about how to hide that hose. You can either a) remove it when not in use (never gonna happen) or b) replace the hose with one that matches the paint color of the house or c) move the spigot to the driveway side, this being the most obvious permanent solution but also the most expensive, possibly necessitating tearing up the front walkway and replacing it with either new concrete or pavers. AND you could landscape. Landscaping is a process that involves a few key steps: defining your needs and setting your prioritites (as with all house-related projects) and, next, choosing a style or theme, based on your personal likes/dislikes. Before we go there, when it comes to specific plant suggestions, do you know what zone you are in? That will determine what plant material is hardy to your area, if you choose to limit yourself to (mostly) hardy plants. How is the drainage, since you will be planting close to the house, how and where the water goes is especially important information. What direction does the house face? That will determine how much sun or shade the area gets. Finally, ask yourself what is the mood you want to create? Do you have any inspiration pics? We need to know what you envision in the Big Picture. Then we can help you reach that goal.

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/

If the windows with the view are a bedroom and bathroom, does that bathroom have another exterior wall in which you might add a window so any escaping sounds and smells from the bathroom do not open onto the deck? Have you considered sliding glass doors in the bedroom and/or (if the floor plan enables it) changing around the purposes of the rooms so the bedroom by the deck becomes a more used room .... such as could a dining room become a bedroom and the bedroom become a dining room? and/or build another bedroom and bath upstairs above the bedroom and bath on the main floor so the deck side bedroom might become a bonus room/den? Adding a downstairs entry facing the "front" (photographer) could be a good idea, depending upon the layout of the home. However, if the current main entry is beneath the deck, you might consider turning the garage into a sun room or screened porch that wraps around to become the entry unless you actually need/want another opening facing "front" (photographer). Do at least first consider what that would do to the interior of the room in which you're adding the entry. Does the room lend itself to that change? What side of the house is north/south/east/west -- will that impact your decision?

@Elaine Doremus Resumes Written Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately we were not able to find any images of the home from the past. I was hoping some folks on Houzz might be able to tell what style it originally was or at least give some good direction on how to we can restore it. For example I think the roof line may have originally gone straight back, instead of the second pitched section of the roof you can see on the left side. I apologize - I know I am not using the correct terminology! The home also has cheap vinyl replacement windows, so I would like to one day replace them. Maybe the anderson craftsman or farmhouse line? I wonder if we would change the scale of the windows at all...