adding photo here...

As Yardvaark said, stand in one spot and post a series of photos. Having photos really helps us visualize what the space looks like, including borrowed view from surrounding properties. For instance, I don't know what your fence looks like or whether your retaining wall is visible or not and what material it is made of. Same with the deck. Think about how you want to use the yard - do you like to sit in sun or shade? Do you want a spot for the kids to play soccer or kickball as they get older? Is the deck the only place you want to sit in the yard? Are there other wishes not addressed in the plan such as a pool or veggie garden? Do you want privacy from overlooking homes or want to block out certain sights from where you most frequently view the yard (deck or certain windows)? Do you want the deck to be private or overlook the yard? Does the posted plan answer your needs other than the particular plant selections? "It was more than I didn't like the laurels." It seems like you are hinting that there may be more problem than just the specific plants. Is this the case? Do you like the overall arrangement of beds? Do you like puttering in the garden or want low maintenance? Kousa dogwoods, white-flowering redbuds and any of the Hydrangea paniculata cultivars like Limelight would suit your color scheme well, but so also would many other plants and if just the plant selection is an issue, ask for suggestions on the shrub forum, tree forum, and perennial forum. Consider what evergreens would be appealing instead of the ones you dislike: white-flowered rhododendrons, conifers of some type, one of the evergreen Viburnums? What ground covers appeal to you or do you want suggestions for smaller plants such as perennials and groundcovers?

I know it's hard for you to believe now, but the yard is very crowded since most of those trees are going to get huge. I would not want either blue spruce that close in the foreground because you're not going to like removing their bottom branches when they get large, but you'll be forced to because they will totally dominate the space, leaving you no yard in which to walk. Then, there is the oak tree right near that's going to grow up and shade the spruce out, making them ugly. I'd move those two spruce back in line with the one nearest the fence just to get them farther away, and they would serve as decent screening for a good while. Fill in the remainder of the fence line with two or three other tall shrubs that can be made into trees ... like lilac or something along those lines. Move the trees from the center of the yard more toward the yard sides. Keep the center of the yard open, just grass. It's all going to be shady someday, but needs more organization now.

When it comes to layout of proposed elements you wish to add to the yard, you should be working in plan view, not in perspective view with photos. They're fine for general ideas and inspiration, but placement needs to be in a plan that is drawn to scale. Based on the photos, though, I suspect you are placing the fireplace much to far away to be useful. A parterre garden is fine if that is what one wants and is willing to maintain. It is a high maintenance feature, however, so no mystery as to why its rarely seen in typical yards. Is someone in your family sufficiently into gardening that they would be willing to maintain a parterre? If not, it would be far more advantageous for you to put your efforts into general landscaping. Another consideration would be the exact plants you hope to grow in a parterre and if you have enough light for them. I didn't see that you said where you're located so I don't think you can expect much in the way of plant recommendations. If you're where they grow, many people grow bromeliads below live oaks, especially the 'flaming torch.'