I would recommend starting with the garage doors (see a couple ideas: whether you go more modern or something more traditional, you need to add 'life' to a component that takes up 25% of your facade). The landscaping is limitless but you should start with the walkway and courtyard and try to make it inviting with a combination of hardscape (stamped concrete or pavers) and plantings. The final piece is to transition the 2 windows into something that complements the new garage door and landscaping upgrades (i.e. new windows, pop-outs, sun shades, ornamental iron, etc........) You look like you are in AZ ?! If so, please call and you can make an appointment with one of our designers.

Yes, we are in AZ. :) We would like a more contemporary look, with a somewhat organic feel. So far, we like these pavers for the driveway and walkway: http://www.advant-edgecurbing.com/paver-colors.php?section=catalina (in the Rio Blend) and would like to put grass in and take away the red rock and that middle section of plants. Not sure about the trees, but leaning towards taking them out after looking at the picture and seeing how crooked they are. I thought a little wall with board formed concrete at the front of the yard with the address on it could be cute, and also a mailbox (it would have to go on the far left per city code) with the board formed concrete. We're also considering covering the house in stucco and taking out the pillars to the courtyard. But if we did take out the pillars, would we put a gate entry to the courtyard? A tall gate? This is where I'm at so far...

Mr. Cook will fix up your structural needs, so here are the site planning ideas for the front. You have made a great start, see if you like what I have to offer. I have a cousin in Benson, AZ, but I do not intend to visit, so we will have to plan it right here.

Out at the street, extend the front bed to include one of the trees that looks like it is leaning, and bring your entry walk in from the street between the bed and the solitary tree. The reason these plantings bother you is because they create symmetry that you want to avoid, - balance, but not symmetric.

On the street side of the bed, next to the walk, place a bench that is angled slightly toward the house, inviting your guest inward.

You might want a post light and house numbers at the bed, as well. The mail box will go to the left of the walk, on the driveway side, somewhere.

If you are worried about the leaning tree, the head will regain the balance and recover, so just plant some shrubs to hide the distraction.

Move the security company sign out there also, so the burglars don't have to enter your front yard.

You have brought your front walk in a meandering fashion toward the house, greeting some more plant beds along the way to avoid a straight walk. We are now at the existing walk through your gateway, with the handsome hedges in flower.

After they have flowered, and you are cutting them back, so as not to brush the silk blouse of your guest, be sure the branches at the base of the shrubs are the same length or wider than those above, so they don't get shaded and die out, leaving bare stems below.

You are good with hedges, how about one along the driveway, to separate your outdoor welcoming area from your service area and pavement. Be sure to keep your plant bed a couple feet from the driveway to allow for car doors to swing and passengers to step onto grass, not plant bed.

Well, as soon as Mr. Cook is paid, and he has installed the entry walk to the street, see if you still have a few bucks to complete the planting, and then welcome your guests to your new home.

I won't be able to make it to your Open House, so just send me pictures.

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