some ideas using : Black Dragon Cryptomeria, Crape Myrtle, Softouch Holly, Little Lamb Hydrangea, Copper Crown Cleyera, Moonbay Nandina, Dwarf Blue Cryptomeria, Snowmound Spirea, Autumn Joy Sedum, Neon Flash Spirea & Plum Pudding Coral Bells

Heaven scent gardenia is hardy to -10 degrees F. They are easy to keep at 2' x 2' indefinitely with once a summer pruning. Many camellias grow successfully in zone 6B if protected from winter wind. Some can be kept at 2' x 3' easily with light pruning once a season. Shrubs that drape over the wall help add to a fuller look.

"People can use any door but one door is the "formal" door vs. the mudroom door. ... For hardscape, we have a plan to have walkways to both doors." I understand and wasn't inimating differently. In the sketch I uploaded, one would enter the mudroom door left of the screen, its walk connecting directly to the driveway. The area left of the mudroom door was not included in the picture I used, so cannot be seen. It's merely suggested. I since pasted on a sliver more of house/driveway grabbed from another picture. See if it makes sense now. I tried to make the point that you must differentiate the use of one door from the other, for the uninitiated guests, but don't know if you agreed with that as you did not mention. Also don't know if you agreed with handling the grade change issue. If you already have a plan for hardscape, you should be sharing it here.

Looks so pretty!!! Love the blue door. I like the steps but if you don’t maybe make a larger front porch? I would match the brick for the walkway and then landscaping should be simple. 2 rows of Boxwoods. And maybe two trees. One on each side and some spring flowers.