"I think a pair of Pinus contorta 'Taylors Sun Burst' would look great next to the front steps." Nice idea, but I fear they will just be more deer fodder. I wonder if putting up a couple of handrails outside where the trees are to go, would be enough to discourage them? They sound to be exceptionally bold deer if they're coming right up to the front door, but some decorative railings that 'enclose' them if they come to the door might just keep them off. Otherwise, do you have any plants that have not been eaten? Local deer populations often have odd preferences and dislikes: sometimes a plant that will be browsed to nothing in one region, will be untouched in another. If yes, then use that. Though there is always the risk that preferences may change with time. Resin

I think the only code issue that applies here is the riser height which yes, RG, is 7 3/4" so even if the other riser is off, it still complies with code because these are not considered stairs which my understanding is any set of steps that are at least 3 in succession are considered stairs and must comply with applicable codes (like a hand rail and riser height conformity). But regardless of code, the riser heights are just too far off for any reputable contractor to think they did a decent job. Codes for steps and stairs are for safety concerns, and everybody knows riser heights with different heights in succession cause the brain to get confused. Especially for the elderly. I suggest you put aesthetics aside and focus on safety, workmanship and the integrity of your contractor to do the right thing.

By my suggestions I'm not purporting to have worked out all the issues. I'm just suggesting some changes -- as an example -- that I think would make it a more organized and easier to "read" landscape. Probably the main thing I'd do is massage the circle drive to being more in front of the house, which would make it look like it is the main entrance point/path for the house. I think its position relative to the house is more important than it being a perfect "D"-shape. Even if planted plainly, which I don't think is the intention, the bed lines going to look distracting. Smoother bed lines would be easier to view and easier to maintain. You could still fill the beds themselves with all kinds of plant excitement ... even busying it up if that's what you like, but it would still look more civilized if the bed lines are clean and simple. The same principle applies for walks. They will seem less distracting to the overall flow if they are simple of curve. Again, I'm just trying to give you an example. You could evolve the plan many times over according to your latest thoughts and parameters. It's an ambitious plan. Good luck on implementing it as it would be an awesome transformation.

I wouldn't call this a real Tudor, more a mish-mosh with some Tudor trim. That is why it doesn't look "right" to you (or me). Half-hearted gables, the door is wrong and lacks importance, it altogther seems not graceful. If you don't want to pull off the faux half-timbers, you could paint them out -- make them fade into the overall siding. You need to decide which direction you want to go -- I think there might be things you could do to "fix" the Tudor look to an extent -- changing the dark paint in the gables would be a start, maybe adding another texure (stone or brick) around the door area. As many have mentioned above, the right color scheme can make a huge difference. My inclination would to go in a direction that might suit the overall shape of the house a bit better though. Your roof's shade of brown is not a bad one and can work with several greens, blues, reds and, of course, neutrals including a few grays. You are lucky that you can paint which gives you infinite color choices. If you don't want the color to pop too much because you are close to the street, choose a muted tone. There are lots of gray- blues, blue-grays, green-grays that would lighten up the house but not be too strong.