something like this is what i will be shooting for:

created this quickly but some ideas:

the tree is a river birch in "island"....mulch island features a spill over flower pot design...
i took off the black stripe on the  garage...
full glass storm door...
landscaping mulch along the walk with bushes...
ornamental tree on left side of garage...
lastly---curbing along the street (may be able to see if the city will help u go in on half the cost in some cities