I think your home would look good with a mixture of ornamental grasses. I've attached a photo below.

Sunset Residence · More Info

I see you have a grouping of what looks to be large ficus trees in the corner of your yard. While they do provide shade, the roots are notorious and you must keep the trees trimmed (at least annually) to keep them from getting massive. Removing them may save you headache and expense down the road.

You have a large property. I would seek the help of a professional landscape designer from your local area. They can draw up a plan that can be implemented over time.

That you saved trees helps the look of your yard a lot and, though I'm not an expert, they do seem to be far enough away from your foundation to not create a problem for the house itself.

You might consider creating a large circle around each of the individual large trees and another outline around the group of smaller trees and add either ground cover or small stone or mulch inside of that ring -- whichever would best suit your area and minimize yard work.

If the slope of yard turns water toward you home, you may want to add a very short knee wall and slope the ground away from the home toward the knee wall, perhaps using the knee wall as the front border for a sidewalk or a front yard patio.

You could plant grass of a kind well suited for your climate for the rest of your yard (at least to begin with) and wait about adding any shrubs or flower beds or other plants until you see how you end up using your yard -- or, more important, how you want to use your yard.

If you want a water feature, all those stones in your yard could be better used there -- a
(mostly in ground) water feature could suit your (left) sloped yard
well.

http://internetgardens-us.com/subscription_area/images/pictorial3/1396.jpg

If you're going to do your own yard work and/or don't want to pay extra to a landscaping service, move all the rocks that appear to be outlining what may be your sidewalk because they'll need to be moved repeatedly to get grass, leaves, etc., out from around them and because they represent a stumble hazard.

Since you have a pair of brick pillars, at least consider using the same brick to outline a concrete/cement sidewalk from door to driveway and/or from door to road as well as to create a border for mulch around the trees..

Hire a landscape architect.

Hi I see from your ideabook that you like succulents and some pops of color. I think you should talk to a designer or contractor in your area
and get a plan with plant images so you can see what you need before install. Here is one of the plans I did for drought tolerant and some images of drought tolerant projects.

Eagle Rock · More Info

Eagle Rock · More Info

Newbury Park · More Info

Thank you so much for your feedback. I love your work! Do you work in the Orange County area? If not, do you have any referrals? Thanks again.

I do work in orange county. I'm a designer so I get the plan done with you then I hand you over to a contractor for the install and I have a contractor that works orange county area. I always think it helps to discuss the project before meeting so feel free to call me to discuss your project. Txs.