You did not mention where you live but I am going to assume it is not very far north with severe freezing or very far South with intense heat. My favorite shrub for the East side of a house is the adaptable Pieris japonica or lily of the valley shrub. This elegant evergreen has smaller leaves than a rhododendron with many forms. There are dwarf Pieris japonica and also variegated versions that lighten up a space with white and green leaves. All have fragrant, dangling spring blooms much loved by pollinating insects. Best of all the Pieris japonica can be pruned into tall and narrow or more compact shapes by removing branches in late spring. Do not shear or trim, just follow a branch to a joint and snip it off. The only requirement is to water in times of summer drought and avoid sunburn on the foliage from the hot afternoon sun. An Eastern exposure should protect the foliage from the hottest sun of the day. You may also consider a camellia, rhododendron or leucothoe but these three shrubs may be more difficult to keep compact enough not to block light from the window. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti