Hi Allie, what a beautiful place! It would help to know what part of the world you located. For my part, a sweep of native grasses on the driveway side in a gentle arc would be pretty. I see you have a swing oriented that direction. Is there a borrowed view? Perhaps some flowering perennials in front of the grasses would give you something to enjoy from the swing. If U.S. natives like Purple cone flower, Rudbeckia, milkweed etc. would bring butterflies. Benjamin Vogt has posted a lot of articles on native prairie gardens that you mind find helpful. Good luck!

some ideas:

I agree with Stacey's recs, especially the grass. I can see that suiting the style of your home very well! (Not familiar with grasses or your zone, otherwise I'd suggest selections)

It is not the zone that is important but the location!! What grows well in zone 8 Texas will not be the same in zone 8 Georgia or zone 8 Washington state!! The hardiness zone system only deals with winter cold tolerance and does not address anything about plant suitability for the year round climate.

FWIW, a native prairie-style garden in WA state would be a joke!!

Sorry I completely forgot to add that I live in southern Oregon.