Plant the tree out in the yard to frame the entry or in the yard between the two windows on the right. Have a circle of mulch, not Hostas around it. You can add to the foundation planting and include Hostas there, as long as you don't have deer in the neighborhood. They love Hostas. Don't block the lower level windows. Plant low growing perennials there.

When you get around to painting, I would do a light warm gray.

I love your house! I'm not a great foundation designer, hopefully someone else will chime in on that. Peonies and hostas should work in well somehow, since they don't get too tall. Maybe for this year, go with annuals -- zinnias, marigolds, maybe petunias. Cheap, colorful, easy (I add a generous sprinkle of timed release fertilizer pellets for each plant). Then maybe you can visualize where you want more permanent plantings, of what size, how much color, etc. And if this is a new house for you, you can take this first summer to investigate your soil -- is it good, bad, compacted, proper grade, what pH, etc.

Doesn't Kansas City have hot sunny summers? The Japanese maple would probably not be happy with that much sun in the front yard.

^^^ Precisely!! A Japanese maple in a full sun exposure in Kansas City will be toast in no time! Morning sun and afternoon shade or all day dappled shade.

I do not agree I live in the interior in BC where we often get 40 celsius in the summer and many people have japanses maples in their south facing yards they just make sure they are watered well and often. But please change the horrible dried mustard color for something more in a shade from the stone .

^^^ Just because it is done does not mean it is advised to do so. Virtually every Japanese maple specialty nursery will say the same thing to get the best results and a healthy tree: morning sun and afternoon shade or all day dappled shade.

Mr. Maple: "Location is something that should be considered. Nearly all Japanese maples can handle growing in the shade or getting morning sun and afternoon shade. For planting trees in the sun it is important to make sure you are getting a selection that can handle full sun in your area."

Davidsan's Japanese Maples: "The ideal siting for all JMs is morning sun and afternoon shade or else all day filtered sun. A general rule is that to have the brightest colors, the tree will need at least some direct sunshine on the leaves. Virtually all JMs will sunburn a bit mid-summer if it is really hot, even in part shade."

Metro Maples: "Japanese maples are understory trees – they are happiest growing with some protection from a canopy of branches from larger trees overhead. Sun in the winter and spring is fine, but once temperatures get into the mid-nineties, most varieties will need at least dappled shade from midday until evening. Sun requirements and tolerances vary, depending on the cultivar, but generally speaking the red-leaved varieties will be more sensitive than the green-leaved varieties."

Mendocino Maples: "Keep in mind when you place your tree into the landscape that morning sun and afternoon shade will suit most maples best. Wind and hot sun can wipe a small tree out in no time, regardless of the cultivar. Leaves will show signs of stress with burning on the tips. Sometimes the roots will become sun baked and the stress will show up in the leaves as if there has been too much sun or wind. Maples are thin-barked and can be sun scalded during the first year or two after transplanting. This injury can set the trees growth back considerably. Most maple species are naturally under story plants, but as gardeners we have forced them into the open landscape."

Pacific Coast Maples: "It is recommended that you plant your maple in a place that does not receive direct sunlight after 12 noon, especially if your summers have temperatures reaching above 100 degrees more than five days each year."

There are other very attractive small trees that will handle a full sun situation in KC far better than any Japanese maple will. Save that for a more protected location.

If the house faces south, most hostas won't like the spot either. Look for low growing, sun loving perennials.

put the maple in the back & consider a redbud - Cercis canadensis for the front (they are blooming right now) If someone you know has them they are likely to have volunteers they would share.