"I have to admit when we choose the double stairs we did not think what the purpose of the stairs or where the stairs lead to. We just liked the look of it. I am sure that violates the rule of landscaping/architecture design." Liking and having does not violate any rules. But not doing something appropriate with it once you have it would be questionable. I'm tossing out a walkway scheme that shows the staircases connected by semi-circular walkway in a classic manner as you might see in many places in the South. The point of the double staircase is not just to be functional, but to look grand. A connecting walkway develops the point. An alternative method would be a rectangular configuration, but since you're showing a semi-circular bed, I'm building on that scheme. (The position of the walk parallel to the house could be adjusted to be closer or farther from the house, but should not connect to the semi-circle in odd, slanting angles as you show. Its geometry should reflect some element that already exists.) A traditional red brick walk would look nice. My negative comment about the rock edging is because it looks rustic--like part of Granny Hinckel's Tennessee farm. Your house is much more refined so the rocks seem out of place. The solution would be a permanent walkway as an edging. That would look clean, refined and uncluttered. "One of the reason we do not want to do any hardscaping now..." There's no concern about when you do it. Your time frame is entirely up to you. We're talking about PLANNING it, which is a "must" before actual money is spent or work is attempted. It's not too early to figure out what to do... before you do any shrub planting. I look at your idea of having adjacent multiple species of shrubs as a bit like creating a conversation grouping of chairs in the living room, but instead of having a matching pair of chairs, using two that are completely different styles. It seems without purpose. People do this outdoors thinking that they're adding interest. But I think it is going to add busy-for-no-good-reason instead. On top of that, I reaffirm that there seems to be no reason to cover up architectural features, so going minimal instead of maximal seems better. A single fat shrub on each side seems plenty to me. I'd keep other plantings low and have flowers, whether perennial or annual, around the entrance ... including window boxes. They would help reaffirm the importance of the entrance. I like the lattice face and details of your porch. I wouldn't cover it with shrubs. If you think it needs more interest than a low bed of "groundcover," consider the possibility of a low placed art ornament like a sundial or some such object. I wouldn't place any type of wall-like screen, hedge or similar in front of the mudroom entrance. Architecturally, it is asking to be displayed, not covered. But a flowering tree would give that area a sense of shelter and help the house to look well-connected to its surroundings. (A matching tree could go on the left side of the house if a mirror image effect is desired.) If multiple-trunk, it would provide a filtered view of the MR entrance so that it would feel a touch more private. But it is the front of the house, so unless you wall it off, there's not going to be running-in-the-yard-naked type of privacy. A fabric awning over the MR steps could look nice.

I used quarry tiles for several floors, including a mudroom floor. The people who supplied the tiles suggest to leave the tiles unfinished and let them acquire an age patina. That will work in some areas. But the mudroom entrance of the house opens onto the garden and although the tiles are very hard, I am concerned about tracking in dirt and leaving a darker path in the middle of the mudroom. So I am considering sealing them. Has anyone used quarry tiles in high traffic areas? Sealed or left to patina?

What if you put a built-in bench to the right as you walk in the back door -- under the window. It could have a top that lifts up to store backpacks, shoes, etc. It could be so cool. You could also use it as seating when you have company over. I'd make it a little deeper than typical. Maybe hang hooks on either side of the window?

We are remodeling our kitchen and turning our sunroom into a family room. The sunroom windows are not very efficient so we are installing hydronic floor heating into the space. We live in the Midwest so it is cold here 8 months out of the year. We have heard that porcelain tile is a better conductor than ceramic tile. Does anyone have any knowledge on this? We would like to do a 3x9 matte black herringbone tile but are only finding it in ceramic and it is rated for low traffic areas. The tile is also going in the mudroom/entry into the house. Any thoughts?