I like your inspiration photos, especially the one with the cedar trim. I'm not sure you'll get the exact look of the pathway photo with your existing trees and shorter space, but I certainly wouldn't get rid of the trees either. It will make a lot of right angles and rectangles. Do you pull your car into your garage? I'd think if you don't, negotiating the pavers with full bags of groceries would be tricky. Maybe look into some landscape lighting too. Depending on where you are (pnw?) do you want that much lawn that needs watering, maintenance and mowing that you'll need to negotiate around your new hardscaping?

I have been rethinking the pavers as well. thinking maybe something simpler and i do love the idea of rectangles!
My kitchen is right inside the garage door, so that's how I haul my groceries.
Regarding the lawn that is an excellent point but not sure what to do. There are sprinklers on the lawn that I need to see if I can get back into service.

What goes alongside the paver strip to the front door and the rock stripe along side the garage? 20" pavers are going to be heavy! but should be stable if you are laying them on a crushed granite base plus sand for leveling. Stake it out with sting and use wooden spacers to keep the spacing even.

I am doing something similar with my ranch except 16" pavers and hiring it out. I did one years ago when I was younger with 12" pavers and it held up pretty well.

I love the horizontal wood strips in the entry inspiration photo. Anxiously awaiting your progress.

Thanks gusta. I never thought about the weight... Ugh. I am considering the idea of cast-in-place pavers. Have you ever tried something like that. I thought if I did that I could consider doing something fun with the shapes.

I really like the combination of the blue with the cedar siding but I think what keeps it fresh and modern looking is the way the bright red is playing with it. I would make sure you find a way to incorporate that bright color element in your design somehow as well. Also, and I know its tough to decide to get rid of healthy trees, but I really think you need to get rid of the one on the right if you want the kind of curb appeal you're going for.

Ps gusta.... I love your exterior idea book! I feel like we are kindred spirits right now. Or at least going for the same look!!!

Thanks adware, we may get rid of it next spring. It is an eye sore, but then some people think I should keep it... It's hard. We do have brick planters on the porch that is hard to see.

I see the brick its just not as bright as the inspiration photo. Maybe some stain or paint (since theres not much of them there) would help liven it up to make it look defined, modern and contrasting, if not I'd try to pull a bright color in some other way. The theme in your inspo pic works because of all the sharp angles and contrasting colors.

If you box the bottom of mature trees and fill with soil or mulch, the tree suffers because of this change. The flare on a tree needs air, covering it will rot the bark over time and cause the tree to die. If you google this issue you will see arborist and pros discussing this problem. Don't do it.

Thanks Bette. Makes sense. My plan is to box around the tree but not fill it. Probably a ground cover or some
Grasses if the roots will allow. The box is for symmetry.

Love the color that you have picked out! Are you going to restain the wood siding? And trim out around your windows? That white post is jumping out at me. I would use cedar to go around it and beef it up, or use a gel stain to paint it. Also, I think a bright color on the front door would be nice! The grasses in pots, will be nice, but will require more water than if you just put them in the ground. Also in pots they will get root bound and you will have to re-pot at some point. Personally, I love trees, BUT you have some trunks that are really leaning. I might would check into having at least one those taken down. Safety reason.

Cant find anything on the 24" square concrete pavers, but the 16" square ones weigh 37 lbs each. See what you can do with this free garden planner: You can't save, but you can use the Windows Clip tool to save a jpg of your work. If you have your survey from when you bought the house, that is a good start for real dimensions.Garden Planner (free)

I found.. I looked after you mentioned the weights. 65#! . Thanks fully they can be delivered. I would hire the lifting into place out.

Melibd, thanks. Yes I definitely plan to trim the Windows. It's aluminum siding so I'll need a hand saw. Not sure whether to do painted plain trim or to use cedar. I plan to replace the shingles with the cedar planks like the photo, and yes stained. Love the idea of framing the post with cedar. But I am leaning toward putting trim on it and painting house color.. Probably one of the last things I do.
We are closely monitoring the trees hoping they are salvageable, all of the opinions we have gotten are "it's probably fine.. Keep your eye on it"... So.

Adware, I actually bought some brick stain in a brick red that I thought was too red. What a waste!..... Or not!!!!! Love it when things work out! Good point too... Thanks

Vstavey, you moved my trees! That's gunna cost me. Jk. What program are you using?

The tree is to close to the driveway. It is good to have wide entrance to the house, clear view from the door and enough space to walk .

I'm using PROLandHome :-)

Some of your trees are back :-)

Here is some changes I made to my plan and my inspiration.

looks great! Love it!

The free planner is pretty good, no? I have a crew coming Monday to tear out my old, overgrown front landscaping and remove a cracked and broken walkway. I will post some photos later.

Yes it's amazing! Thank you! It's so exciting to get it started huh? My whole lawn looks like a hurricane hit, it really makes ya commit!