I would determine the lawn shape next with the same curves as the sidewalk. Just don't violate any pedestrian traffic patterns. For instance, don't go out very far from the corners of your house with the lawn, otherwise you, or the dog, will be taking shortcuts across the beds, leaving a trail. If you design the beds first, they will tend to look as if they are cut out of the lawn and you will lose that flowing feeling you have started with the walk. Leave plenty of room for privacy where you need it most.

Wow, you did a great job redesigning the walkway, it looks sooooooooooooooo much better! Sorry I have no suggestions for the planting.

Well, you could cut in an edged bed in the inside of that curve that could be slightly bermed and filled with the plants of your choice leaving a 3' shoulder of flat grass between it and the walk to accentuate the flowing curve. That could also provide a little more bulk out in front of that portion of the house making it not seem so high. I think you can get bigger results with less planting by leaving that grass shoulder as well.

That is just one way of making the curve have a strong feeling of belonging and not crowding it with planting right next to it. It will also help you from loading the middle of the front yard which will likely make the ends of the house look like they are missing something.

I'm seconding the "wow". I am confused over the perspective, is the sidewalk still there but cut off in the recent picture? It looks like you pushed the house back 20 yards.

Botann: You often have very good ideas but I have to admit that I have read your post a few times and I cannot quite figure out what you are saying.

Laag: The bermed bed set back from the walk makes perfect sense to me. I have looked at this picture several times. Sticking a bed right in the curve of the walk just seemed wrong. It would yield an odd looking bed shape and/or lawn shape. The only option that I could think of was to eliminate most or all of the lawn.

- Brent

Thanks to you all for these ideas!

Botann: I too am a little confused by your comment, could you please clarify what you mean?

Laag, that's an interesting idea. Like Brent, the idea of putting a bed right in the curve was tripping me up. I will consider your suggestion.

Thanks Harleysilo and dainaadele for your Wows. My husband will appreciate them! :-) The city sidewalk is still there, just cut out of the photo.

I'm so anxious to get started, but we are going to be in this house for a good long while and I don't want to make a big mistake.

Brent, the idea will be to get rid of all or most of the lawn eventually. But I don't want to bite off more than I can chew right away. That's why I'm trying to come up with some bed shapes I can gradually increase over time.

My vision is of a naturalistic garden with a woodland flair to complement our setting near this ravine. Translating vision into reality, is, as we all know, the tough part!

Thanks again. I would appreciate any further ideas that any of you might have.

I'm not sure I have a concrete idea, but think it might help if you consider lawn shape, rather than just bed shape, in working out ideas. Ultimately lawn shape shows up more. I agree that the walk should be edged in grass, not in plants.

KarinL