mousemaker if you do decide to plant a tree, perhaps a flowering tree? make sure you call Diggers Hotline or whatever they are called where you are :) to make sure you are digging safely.

Sweet Caroline Garden Design What a classic craftsman home you have and right next door on the right is my favorite style of all -the American Foursquare. I specialized in small urban yards in Chicago for many years and can tell you that its important to keep such a space simple and not fill it with too many features or it will be too busy. I like the built up beds on both sides of your walkway and would restore them if needed - couldn't see the one on the right at all. Window boxes on the column support filled with seasonal color looks good. I would lose the small containers as they don't really make a statement. You can plant the built up beds with hydrangea and boxwood or other evergreens with seasonal annuals for color if you like. I would keep a small amount of lawn and where the walkway goes down to the curb with the stairs I would plant an evergreen groundcover such as Ivy or Pachysandra. My 2 cents worth which I used to charge $200 for :-) Below is a doodle of my ideas. Oh and why not paint all the white trim on your home a nice gray to compliment the roof. Stain your new walkway a gray as well.

CAROLE MEYER Beautiful examples. I myself have gone from English garden look to simple, tailored and easy to care for!