Large curving beds that have a slight soil mound with what you bring in would be nice. Why don't you look at www.monrovia.com and put in your zone and sun shade requirements and it will give you a list of plants. I think reds and white flowers would go well with your house. I would stay away from blues and purples as they will contrast a bit with your house.

It's nice that the garage door doesn't face forward. That always cheapens the facade. If you're thinking port couchere, you could do it in gravel of decomposed granite. Plant lots of trees with different colors and sizes around the periphery, especially the front. Give your yard some privacy. Unless you have abundant water in your area, you may want to forgo the sod.