I should mention that I tend to like cottage garden style....nothing overly formal. Thank you!

Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy' or Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' could be a nice fit for that spot. Very unique, informal conifers. They sort of looks like a perennial grass, but it's evergreen, cold hardy down to z5, and can take a good amount of shade.

If you are looking for something taller. Picea abies 'Reflexa'. This one is a weeper. You stake it to the high you want and then let it cascade back to the ground.

With temps we had this winter, you are probably asking for trouble with most broad-leaf evergreens. I'm in 6b and significant winter burn on my rhododendrons, holly, ect.. Your probably best to focus on conifers

In the sunnier place where you need height you might consider adding an ornamental grass, as many have a lasting winter effect with their dried, standing foliage. Another winter interest plant that might work would be red twig dogwood, if cut to the ground annually so lots of red develops without too much size. A daphne for the gas meter could work but might be hit or miss. Some perennial vines (grown on a stake) can add a fair amount of winter interest by their leafless, tentacle-like forms. Some have colored fruits or berries that endure the winter for a while.