Generally where in zone 6 are you? NM vs. OK vs. MA have fairly different growing conditions though all have areas of zone 6.

Right now the hedge hides whatever is between it and the house. Can you take a photo from relatively close in front of the hedge so there is an idea of what is between it and the house.

Also, to save Yardvaark from having to request them, a set of photos would be nice that show the whole yard from the edge of one neighbor's house to the opposite side, capturing the whole house in a series of 3 or 4 photos with just a bit of overlap between them (not a panorama style single shot). All of this to be taken from a single vantage point approximately opposite the front door, well out from the house.

We are right outside of Chicago. There is just dirt between house and hedge. I'll get more. Pics tomorrow!

Not many people ask for 'lots' of maintenance. Did you mean 'low' ? ;-)

A mid-century Wright-style prairie ranch should have clean, geometric lines and horizontal profiles. Google images of them for inspiration and roam around for best examples of the genre (not just residential houses, but exquisite public buildings and museums). When done right, they seem as modern now as they did then. I would replace the yew hedge with grasses - an equally simple sweep of one kind. Let your famous wind provide the dynamism. Stick to a limited pallet of plants overall. Emphasize texture more than color (like the bricks of your house.) Edit ruthlessly (though don't expect most of us to be much help in this regard as we tend to be plant collectors!) When it's time to paint the trim, consider a different color than bright white. Prairie prairie prairie. Modern modern modern. It is a beautiful house. I hope you enjoy this project as much I do thinking about it!

I always like a bit of structure to my plantings, and add softer items such as grasses and other perennials that compliments the structure of it all. That way you still have a little something there in the winter/spring while you're waiting for your perennials to come up. Don't plant anything too high as you have that beautiful living room window. Maybe a larger shrub or small tree on the left corner of the house, such as a serviceberry, japanese maple, or anything multi-stemmed really to fan out with the width of the long and low house.

Not sure of your style, but I would use lots of shades of greens, some white and blues to compliment the brick colour. Using red's, orange, etc would just make the brick look orange as well.

Good luck!