I think what you're mostly lacking is scale. Unfortunately scale takes either time or money. :-) If you want any trees in front, I'd do that first - well, this fall, anyway. Shrubs would be a main consideration, too. Though do check and see how big they get and plant for their mature size! It'll take a few years for your plants to mature, but it's worth the wait. If it were me, I'd put something tall at that corner to soften that edge; maybe a juniper? Though that close to the house, I'd check and make sure their roots won't become a problem. Other than that a twining vine on a trellis might be a good choice.

thanks audric for posting that link, I'm going dive in and try to give some curb appeal to my home's front yard--anything that contributes to less mowing is fabulous in my opinion...bring on the sod remover!

How tall is the house? If the plant can get sun once it gets to a certain height, there would be nothing wrong with getting a plant that won't perform optimally in shade but will survive. It will look good in the long run. If not... well, my ability to process common names is at a low ebb today and I can't even think what a weeping alaskan cedar actually is. But there are indeed weeping conifers of many species that might perform here. I'm thinking the very narrow types of Chamaecyparis nootkatensis might work, such as Green Arrow or Van Den Akker. KarinL

Hi guys, I liked everything you suggested. All of you. You are amazing and I thank you so much. Your comments were very helpful. It made me understand few things. I realized we have to go modern, large scale, simple and bold. Up until now I was stuck in making traditional, detailed designs full of colours and shapes. Bushes is the way to go. They will create foundation and perennials will blend them in. Unfortunately, large driveway have to stay but large planter in front of porch is definitely going to happen. Up until I posted those pictures here, I did not realize how much contrast there is between large driveway and large lawn. My plan was to soften up the contrast by planting linear flower edge between them but that would just highlight the contrast. Design from celerygirl where part of lawn is paved in half circle shape is making transition from asphalt to lawn so gradual and natural. It is very modern design and I cannot find many of that on internet as inspiration. Most of landscape ideas are traditional. They are very nice but modern is my favourit style. My plan was to keep stomp and transform it to fairy house. Plant some whimsical bushes and plants around it like Rose of Sharon, white feather hostas, red dogwood but that would not go well with modern bold design I have in my head now. Maybe I can move it to backyard. Reason I do not like mulch is because it have very unnatural feel but organic mulch that will blend in as compost is good idea. I did not know it existed. All I saw so far was that fake coloured mulch. Edge made of two rows of pavers, One berried and one making border is genius idea. It is practical and decorative and makes landscape design look instantly neat and upscale. Your species recommendation aegis1000 was right on spot. I think yellow and blue hues will compliment yellow colour of house. What species should I chose for evergreen shrub off the left corner of the house to hide utilities? My neighbour has those two triangular evergreens framing house on each side. Can you tell me what are they? Thank you again everyone for ideas and recommendations. It was great help.