I can picture a tropical atmosphere in the lower section. something rather private, with a well-defined entryway on the walkway side, tropical plants in large colorful pots on the patio mixed with larger plants planted around the area and nice lighting. You could also have solar lights going up the walkway to the patio with plants apropriate to your area. I can't help you with that since I'm up North. I will look for a photo that may help with ideas. Good Luck. Your house is really coming along.

I did something similar, just had the beds made then did the plant selection and planting myself. I think it's a great way to reduce costs. Ideally, ask to have compost added along with the new topsoil and have them till the entire bed.

When you have a new house the soil around it get very compacted from the equipment used to build the house. If you have new soil and compost added and tilling done, all the soil in the bed will be soft and easy to plant in. Often when you have a landscaper plant they will only amend around each plant, this way you're entire bed will be plant ready and not just where they put plants. That makes it nice when you want to plant small annuals.

You'll probably want the beds in front of the house to be at least 8 feet deep, 12 is better if you want any trees or large bushes. If you just want low plants you can go with less depth(maybe 5 feet). Plants tend to look best when they aren't in a perfect row, unless you are going for a really formal look. It would be best to draw a picture of your lot with the house and hardscape on it to see how the beds look in the diagram, like a floorplan of your yard.

Once you put in your plants, you can add your own drip irrigation system if you are not having irrigation put in for the rest of the yard, it's very easy and only costs about $100. Well worth it when you consider how much you have to water new plants those first couple years. If nothing else, lay out some soaker hoses.

Take your time adding plants, research what grows well in your area and see how much sun and shade different parts of your yard receive. I have no idea what grows well in New Orleans, but I'd guess you'll have lots of options!