Exact flower colors are now probably the least of your concerns. If you want to landscape the property, Create the scale plan (using graph paper) and show all the things that are permanent features of the property ... house, drive, walk, trees, shrubs. etc. As suggested, make several copies (or alternatively use tracing paper over the top and then begin to work out planting bed areas vs. what will be lawn. For the time being, you could even forget that plants have colors as the only thing you'll be doing at this phase is working out FORM. Instead of thinking of things as plants, think of them as shapes and sizes. Place "plant-like" objects where you want them, and think of them in their mature, finished size. Consider things such as do you want a large object blocking windows? Or, would it be better to have a display of trunks and branches in front of a plain portion of wall? Do you like 100% of the roof or siding to show? When ever you wish, you could submit a copy of your progress to this thread and get feedback on your direction. There are exceptions to every rule, but I disagree that you can run off to the local garden center and expect to get DESIGN help. (Since there are exceptions, you might!) But more than likely the people waiting on you will have no training in design whatsoever. They may be gardeners and you may get suggestions for plants that people have some liking for. Collecting nice plants as such is more akin to gardening, not landscaping. Where they can be helpful is if you know the size, shape and overall character of the plant you want, they can tell you what plants can achieve those goals. It would be better to study the issues and do the design yourself, or hire a professional.

How high are the windows? If you like ninebark/Physocarpus, there are a few smaller selections like Tiny Wine which shouldn't exceed 5' and the ones I've seen have been more upright and less arching. I wouldn't suggest regular pruning of physocarpus for height, so they may be too large and better placed elsewhere. You could check to see if there are any Mahonia that are the right size for your requirements. I've been blown away by the color and scent of a Mahonia in full bloom in zone 7 (though I don't know the variety), and I know I've seen some varieties in zone 6, so it might be worth investigating. Where they aren't happy they can look ratty, but when in a spot they like, I find them quite handsome. I was thinking of rhodies along the sides of the walkway, but they would need to be quite small or slow-growing selections. Alternatively, slightly larger but still small selections might work under the windows if you have acid soil. As Laceyvail and MadGal suggested you would need to test soil first. I didn't read carefully and missed the reference to KC. A good reference for you would be the Missouri Botanic Garden's plantfinder (and the garden itself if you are up for a field trip.) You can put in requirements like evergreen and shrub and height and width and see what pops up. I also would want to figure out all the plants for the entire front area before actually planting anything since you want to be sure that everything will work together. You can still plant in stages as time, finances and energy allow, but I wouldn't plan in pieces. You might want to ask Yardvaark if you can put his sketch over here so that others can see the general look you are working towards. Or even just link to that thread on the LD forum.

I really loved the more formal grey drapes in your mock up..so pretty. .I would not hang grommet drapes in your traditional dining room..unless you are going more casual Pottery Barn look..but are you doing antique gold rod with those gold grommets? Lots to think about.

Is that the sunken kitchen on the left ? I assume you do live in NA since the name ramada is not something I at least do not hear every day. I would start by choosing a colorof wood for the ramada. Then use that color for the. frames of the seating area funiture add some color there for the cushions then find some loungers with either a solid color for the loungers or ones with cushions which you can coordinate with the seating area cushions in color .Add huge pots filled with flowers instead of too much landscaping all the perimeter of the pool The planters could be the other wood element if you wanted .