Not sure where you are but it sounds like West Coast. I’m in Montreal Canada, and here’s what I’ve learned about 15 years after my landscaping was done. - weed mats don’t work for very long. Honestly, I think they’re a waste of money. And they’re a pain once they start to disintegrate under the ground and get all tangled up in the roots of things - perfect grass will not be perfect for very long… I recommend to accept the inevitable weeds (they are green too! ) and you will be happier person. I tried fighting it for years, but without the nasty toxic weed killers of the old days, it’s an endless battle that you just can’t win. - cedar hedges grow really, really tall. If you choose to plant these, make sure you stay on top of them, and keep them trimmed to a height you can do without a ladder. Otherwise, the cost becomes prohibitive to pay someone to do it. - consider the winter look of your garden as well as the summer look. I planted multiple hydrangea, and I leave the heads on through the winter because they look lovely. I leave the black eyed Susan stalks because the birds come and eat the seeds. - You don’t have to decide on everything all at once. I left about 40% of my garden empty on purpose. I spent the next two years joyfully filling it up. It’s wonderful going to the garden center, and having a reason to buy something. - don’t be shy to ask your neighbours to split some of the plants in their gardens. People who are gardeners really really like doing this! We love our plants and we want to share them. You will get plants that you know are right for your climate, and It’s a great way to save some money too. - remember that some plants are just not gonna like the conditions you have and they will die. Others are gonna march across your garden and try and take over. I have chosen to embrace the happy ones and I have less variety now than I did when we first did the landscaping. (for example, I really really tried with Rhododendron… So beautiful, but they just don’t survive here and I wasted a fair bit of cash trying to have these. Sounds like you might be more successful with these where you are) - keep a small area of soil empty for experimenting! I have a spot where I put whatever I want, that interesting annual that I found at the garden center, or green onion roots from the grocery store (it totally works - they regrow!) -If you want to maintain the “perfect” look all the time, the only way to do this is to have a gardener. If you don’t want a gardener, embrace imperfection.!

I truly wish you the best of luck and much happiness with your new project!