As was said, Buffalo.

Looks like a really nice setting and a charming home. I don't think you'll get a ton of help needed here to develop a full landscaping plan, but you can start by laying out your own ideas of what you envision for the traditional idea. You can even search traditional homes and get ideas on landscaping done to inspire ideas to consider. Decide if you want anything done in the center or outer area of the yard area, such as ornamental/traditional trees. I would get these in this year.

I did a snippet of your home and pasted it on an Excel sheet, then searched some boxwood and hydrangea, etc. to just plot out an idea. Maybe something you can do? Also, start visiting your local landscaping supply and greenhouses, they usually have folks who are happy to help put ideas together given your location, sun/shade considerations. Best of luck to you!!

I would not do boxwoods. They have pest and disease issues. Pay attention to what kind of hydrangeas you put in, since winter die-back will reduce blooms. I'd start with a tree in the front yard. I like flowering trees, but a clump of white birch would look great, too. Is the yard shown in green what you'll have or is it a photoshop and you actual front yard will be smaller.

I'd put a smallish tree at the left corner of the house. I like Alternative-leaf dogwood. You want to make sure anything you plant will be far enough away from the house at its full-grown size. We have a Japanese maple which we love, but which has way overgrown its spot.

@Sigrid That is our front yard with grass that was planted in the fall. We have a large lot with a decent sized front yard.

You start with the shade trees. Traditionally, those go on the south and/or west side of the house. Evergreens go on the north and/or west side to block winter winds. Avoid the common mistake of putting small, flowering trees where the larger shade trees belong. You want trees that will end up taller than the house. Otherwise, you get a Dorothy and the Munchkins vibe where the trees only come half way up the house, and obviously should be taller.

I do not begin to understand the current obsession with hydrangeas as foundation plants. Go out this weekend, and find hydrangeas to look at, NOW. Not during the summer when they are blooming, but NOW. Are they really something you want front and center for half the year?

Boxwood will need protection from winter winds and sun. Which direction does the house face? That is going to be a major factor in what plants can go where.

@mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY) the house faces west

You plant trees for shade--For shade in the hottest part of the summer day, trees to W/ SW. For morning shade, Trees to E/SE.

Plant large trees at appropriate distance, smaller trees closer to house/patio/deck whatever it is you're shading.

No shade cloth is anything like layers of leafy green.

The current obsession with hydrangeas is that so many people look at pictures for their inspiration. The pictures are always taken with the hydrangeas in bloom, in part because when they are not in bloom, people don't recognize them.

I like broadleaf evergreens (rhodos, azaleas and Mt. Laurel) for foundation plants for this reason. They look good year round and glorious when in bloom.

The thing I particularly find annoying is the photoshops which show a garden with everything in bloom. Since most perennial bloom for no more than a month, either it's a picture of a garden that will look fabulous for one month and boring for the rest of the year or a picture of a garden that shows spring, summer and fall-blooming plants in bloom all at once and the real garden will never look like that.