I very much like your house and I like the horizontal wood fence. The rest does not suit the house at all. If you are only looking for plant suggestions you need local advice. Are you in USDA zone 8?

Emmarene, thank you. You are right, this home has not had the right type of landscaping in the past. We need help determining what the right landscape design would be for this style of home. We are in the 8 - 9 zone.

Have you determined what function you want? Is it meant to be for show or do you want a seating area/patio or place for kids to play, do you want productive things like fruits and veggies or flowers and foliage, or more hardscaping; do you want to keep up with maintenance yourself? Zone 8-9 is wonderful for all sorts of plants. (I know you're across from Portland rather than Seattle, but it's still similar)

Something like these plantings could work

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/patio-of-the-week-a-cozy-backyard-escape-warms-seattle-gardeners-stsetivw-vs~13406309[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/patio-of-the-week-a-cozy-backyard-escape-warms-seattle-gardeners-stsetivw-vs~13406309)

more Japanese maples would be lovely, and they'll do fine, I'm in the Bay Area (zone8-9) and they're ok here, or the native maple

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-design-plant-vine-maple-stsetivw-vs~6492315[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/great-design-plant-vine-maple-stsetivw-vs~6492315)

Or for ideas

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/from-concrete-lot-to-gracious-organic-garden-in-seattle-stsetivw-vs~27735358[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/from-concrete-lot-to-gracious-organic-garden-in-seattle-stsetivw-vs~27735358)

Youre also a great area for roses of course, and going with native plants is always a good idea and would benefit the birds and other wildlife.

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/top-10-native-plants-for-the-pacific-northwest-stsetivw-vs~48301301[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/top-10-native-plants-for-the-pacific-northwest-stsetivw-vs~48301301)

Just some ideas for front yard, some higher shrubs and lower plantings, you could put in some maples, the other path going to your door could be improved

Thank you for this really good advise. I do like the suggestion for improving the path attractiveness. The plant names are also helpful. The front yard is intended to be a show area for the home. There is a large side yard and back yard. The lot is .63 of an acre.

I agree with using grasses and a Japanese maple . You could also bring in some large rocks ( not to big) and accent the area with them.
Also you might consider a fruit tree or two for the yard closer to the street . Make sure they are for your zone and plant in the fall !

The best gardening books that I have found for the Pacific North West are by Anne Lovejoy. She is amazing and as a 35+ yrs experienced serious gardener, I would advise you to go straight to the best resource in your area. She has done all the hard work for you (i.e. plant choices, design etc) Here's a link to one of her books http://www.amazon.ca/Lovejoys-Organic-Garden-Design-School/dp/157954987X

Mramsey, thank you. We are seeking input on a landscape design that enhances the architectural style of the house. I (the mom) have lived in the PNW for 65 years, but the architectural style is the driving factor in this landscape dilemma.

Well, the beautiful curvy sidewalk shape is ideal. Just begin with some planting to the inside of it (not too close to the house) and then expand the garden to the other side of the sidewalk unless it all becomes too much to tend to. Think of small shrubs, perennial flowers, and ornamental grasses for the inside. Use a good amount of repetition with your favorite choices.

I love your low-slung mid-century house.

My first thought, when I looked at the photograph, was that the road seemed close to the house and that it needed some barrier or separation. Because the wood fence was so attractive, I repeated the horizontal wooden boards in a low fence near the road. This emphasizes the horizontal elements in the house that are so nice. The posts are medium dark concrete wall bricks. Poured in place gray concrete posts, or gray steel posts would work equally well. This would be an expense but would give the house a nice modern feel. An alternative would be to maintain a low trimmed hedge there

I would clean the current concrete path to the mailbox and possibly stain the new path a slightly darker color so it blended in a little better.

Remove the gray stone and plant in those beds. Keep it simple.

I'm in zone 7 and not familiar with all the plants that you can grow so these are suggestions.

The 3 tallest trees/shrubs are Chameacyparis. Probably Nana Gracilis but your good local nursery might have another variety that would stay at about the eaves in height. The wide and tall tree near the front door is a weeping Japanese maple. There are many good varieties. Again check with your nursery for one that will get to the right size. The branches will make a terrific winter silhouette against that stone wall. The 2 shrubs flanking the Chamaecyparis near the yellow wall are Mahonia aquifolium. The row of medium small shrubs are Berberis julianna but there might be something perfect for your climate. The spiky red plant near the front door is phormium. You need one that works in your climate and stays small 30". The ground cover is Pachysandra. I love this but it depends on how much sun that area gets. You could use Ophiopogon, Liriope, Cotoneaster , Juniper, Sedum, etc. but Pachysandra is my first choice.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your "fits the house" solution.

Ebc3, Thank You! This is very helpful. Exactly what we need to help us see the best lines for the home.

Shelly Strom, this is what you are looking for.

Thanks mom for posting this query and everybody for all the great suggestions!

EBC thank you for giving so much detail and making the illustration. I like the fence in particular. I'm going to show my husband. I rather agree with removing the rock.

The previous owners were here three years and we think they did much to improve the outside, including the addition of the rock. Based on old photos, I think they added the rock to avoid vegetation, which previously obscured the faced and even discolored the stone (look toward the right end, near the ground). But the rock, which is typically used to build a road bed instead of being exposed decoratively, is harsh and repeats the edge of the stones on the house and it's just too much.

We do want to enhance the mid-century modern aesthetic, possibly giving an Asian or tropical tilt.

CSCH and Blenheim New Zealand, thank you for your ncluding the images! It all helps grease the wheels!

Hi, and great house! If you are interested in an affordable, comprehensive, landscape design, please check out my web-based services:

http://www.modernbackyard.com/how-it-works.html

Best of luck with your project,

Julie

julie@modernbackyard.com

I visited the link that you shared with us
here, great information. Thanks for the wonderful share.I really liked your
wooden fencing that not only protect you from unwanted views but also increase
the curb appeal of your home. Privacy is a vital concern that the backyard
pool landscaping ideas must take care of. If you love spending time outdoors in
your backyard pool, then landscaping architecture is surely a good idea
that you must consider. You can consider this aspect by planting big
trees and shrubs along the wall and at other strategic locations in your
backyard. This will ensure that you enjoy your pool without having to worry
about the intruding eyes.Good sharing.