Beginner Gardening: Blank slate and new style...need HELP please!, 1 by snackie

snackie wrote:
I recently lost my 2 story colonial to a tornado and now have a brand new ranch home.
It took 17 years to finally get the front yard gardens perfect before and now I am faced with a big, empty, very rocky area to beautify again. I am at a loss where to even begin.
I lean towards "cottage garden", but don't know how to incorporate it with this style house. I would love to add 1 or 2 small flowering trees since the previous front trees were all wiped out.
I live on a Main St in a very rural area where most are older 2 story homes that have plain lanscapes. There aren't any landscapers/nurseries nearby to get ideas from either.
The front will soon have a small porch, so the doorway will be dressed up more than it is now. The house faces west, and gets 5-6 hours of sun each day.
I am open to any and all suggestions. THANKS!!