I think this is improving, but one feature I would try to move away from is the creation of lines of "hedges," one in front of the other, as if you are creating a hierarchy of edgings. The same plants placed in blocks (instead of lines) will look better. Where you question "Too large a space for just filler?" ... I say absolutely not. Whether it has been stated, or not, I can't help but think that creating a pleasing view to passersby is one of the objectives of making changes. Creating some unification and making the "design" easier to read/grasp will make it seem "stronger" and more effective. For myself, I prefer the lawn without the stepping stones. But if you had to have them, I'm including a suggestion for one possible way of arranging the path. Naturally, I would not implement it without mocking it up in marking paint first. It can be the greatest help for visualizing an element and determining if one really likes it, or not ... before going to great expense and effort. As long as one grasps the basic, most important ideas, there is not too much cause for a gardener to fret over the details of planting design. It could all come together rather quickly and offer itself up for serious reevaluation. If it's determined then that there are obvious changes that need to happen, it's not difficult to move smaller plants around and improve the scheme. BTW, I applaud your efforts at ACTUALLY WORKING ON A PLAN! It's what most people seeking advice here should be doing. It tremendously clarifies communication. I also note that there is a radical improvement between your first design and the most recent. For sure, this would be a great project to come back later with a photo of the "finished product." Not sure if discussed or not, but I would consider planting the mulched area around the main tree with a single variety, very low groundcover. Green and leafy is just better than brown and crunchy.

I can’t tell you how much this feedback is helping! I’ll have to wait to give those exact dimensions as we are not in the house just yet. We close May 11th and have to be out of our current home June 4th. We are trying to complete this entire renovation in that short amount of time! Rip out walls, take out all the carpet upstairs, put hardwood floors in the kitchen, dining room, living room, stairwell, and hallway, paint, build island and pantry. We are kinda crazy. We also have a 2 year old and 8 month old. This will hopefully be something we laugh about someday! We just feel so fortunate to have some overlap with our houses to be able to renovate while living in our current home. No furniture...just a clean slate!

Thanks... I'm not entirely clear as to what you mean by this: "then... as to the view from the street ... come 6 to 10 feet into the lawn .. and plant some nice shrubs or conifers out there .. so you can let them grow to their usual performance.. instead of try to grow a 6 foot shrub in a 3 foot bed... against the foundation ..." Here are other angles - from that window where the bed is - there's a red oak on the left (closer to the street) a very small Emperor Japanese maple and (unfortunately!) a Norway maple on the right (city tree). I am considering moving that Japanese maple.. Not sure if it's in the "right" spot. yes, lots of grass, but that oak is going to get big one day, the Norway is already decent size and I suppose the Japanese maple will get to 20'+ feet and wide too at some point.. I've considered moving the Japanese maple between the Norway and the corner of my house (basically about 8or 10' from that grand caravan)

To start I need to see all four walls of the space and why is the furniture not facing the FP. IMO if there is a TV in the space I would remove all the shelving form the left side get a nice low cabinet and mount the TV above the cabinet so the TV and the FP can share the focal point.