I’d move the statue up against the ivy and boxwoods in the flower beds. If you want to use it, a small wrought iron set could be handy and pretty.

Just decorative, you could add a water feature.

Those are all great suggestions! I'm brainstorming and sketching to see how it will look. Thank you so much!

If it were mine, I would remove the rock flower beds, lay more of the stone and inter-plant with ground cover from stepables.com for a "scentsation" when you walk on it. I would also remove the fake ivy; it looks fake. What's behind it? Is it a wall or fence? Is it paintable? Could you paint a mural of the Forum or the Acropolis on it? Then put an urn at each of the four corners of your space, place the statue in the center of the ivy wall, and a Greco/Roman style concrete bench on either side of it. Add a recirculating water feature in the center.

There is a white wooden fence behind the ivy, so I'm not sure if a mural would work, but I love the idea of bringing more of the theme in. I had thought of a bench as well. I have a lot of things to research! Thank you so much!

I agree the statue would be better placed close tto the ivy as a backdrop, so the color contrast would help it stand out. Putting it closer to the wall would also give you more usable space for seating of some sort.

Is this courtyard just a pass through spot, or can it be viewed from a window inside the house (perhaps the one in your pictures)? Are you in a climate that would allow you to enjoy sitting out here in the morning or evening?

I see two cement walkways - the one on the right of the 4th picture looks like it leads to the front door, and the one on the bottom leads where? Do you want/ prefer to make the walk around the perimeter, or would you like to be able to cut across the diagonal?

Would you consider reworking the surfaces here? I think there are a lot of different hard materials going on in a relatively small space; it would look more cohesive with fewer. Of course drainage and the ability to water any plantings would be a factor in any changes considered.

Looks like a fun project!

I would move the urn that is in the corner more to where the statue is facing — like, within her field of vision. In fact, you might turn her just a little so she is facing the column more directly and put the other urn on the square stone in front of the column.

Then I think you really must take out all the small rocks in the rectangular beds and fill them with whatever blue and green plants grow where you live.

As for that now empty corner where the urn used to be, I would use something like these to create a corner with whatever climbing plant grows best in your area

ACHLA Primrose Trellis Side Panels - FT-42S · More Info

Or maybe you could use something like this to create a bower — but I think it might be too big and hard to secure

English Overdoor Trellis Door Lattice Topper Arch Metal Indoor Outdoor Outside · More Info

Finally, people need someplace to sit to enjoy this. I am thinking a stone half circle bench might be nice, but they are not very comfortable.

I am definitely removing those rocks and adding plants. And I do want to go vertical. Thats why I was thinking something on the wall. I'm going to see how the urns look moved. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it!

Cedar Garden Bench · More Info

I think 2 of these would be very nice. In nice weather you could bring cushions out and enjoy sitting there. I’m fine with your fake ivy. It’s very Sicilian! Try to grow as many blooming things as you can between the cracks of your big flat stones.

if you need outdoor cushions for seats, ones with a Greek key could be nice. You can find them in lots of colors

"Greek Grandeur" Outdoor Pillow 16"x16" · More Info

Or if she is Italian

Lemon Tree Yellow Cushions, Set of 2 · More Info

Beautiful bench! As it gets warmer, I have a lot of moss growing between the stones, which gives it nice color. What else do you recommend for that?

Place the statue up against the back wall. You can add a stone bench, and then surround the area with greenery where you currently have the small rocks.

Gentlemen’s Country Estate · More Info

Instead of the fake ivy, you could create some sort of pergola or arched canopy to grow plants on.

Redondo Beach, Residence · More Info

Side Yard Makeover by Shirley Bovshow of EdenMakersBlog.com · More Info

You need a fountain somewhere!

I don’t know what grows in your area. Maybe if you take a picture to your local nursery they can tell you. There might be little creepers that bloom. Also think about growing some annual flowering vines up the wood columns, something you can cut back at the end of the season or remove so you don’t damage the wood.

These pillows might be nice

Olive Marble Outdoor Decorative Pillow, 18"x18" · More Info

It costs money but someday you might find it worth it to get shutters that are really functional that you can close. Your courtyard would look fantastic with the shutters closed plus when open they would be more proportional. Navy blue might be very nice.

It’s really a charming thing you have.

The one walkway is going to the front door, and the other is facing an open garage/carport. When you step out the car is right there! So, confined to the corner. I would love to work a fountain in, even on the wall. Yes, a trellis is a good idea because those artificial ones won't last forever! I love all these ideas!

By the way, I'm in South Louisiana. Very rarely freezes and high humidity

Jasmine can cover that whole back area in one season, but it needs support.

Jasmine would be great.

Please leave her in the center of the courtyard. She needs to be out, walking free. She is a mythical beauty on a journey.

Don’t be afraid to bring in more pots and urns as time goes on. I wouldn’t crowd her, but having flowers would be nice

Colorful Pots · More Info

I think when I add more elements she will be fine where she is. I was thinking of the best way to maybe put flowers at the base of the pedestal

I like seeing the pedestal.

She does remind me of a girl who has taken a long walk through a rocky field to get to a stresm of clean water

I have climbing hydrangea on a fence. It takes a few years to fill out, but now it's covered in blooms. It would be perfect.

If you're up to heavy lifting, consider removing the row of flagstones next to the house, and flipping the planting bed to that side. That would give you more room for tall greenery on both sides of the window and a pretty view approaching the house from the right hand walk before you ever reach the courtyard. Hopefully the flagstones could be repositioned next to the carport walk. You could consider bordering the two walks with dwarf mondo grass instead of the bricks and scalloped edging. Low enough to step over and it is extremely hardy - even survived the Houston freeze this year.

i would be careful about putting a flower bed right against the foundation and risking drainage problems

I've been looking into the jasmine like you suggested, and I think that will work perfectly! Thank you for the recommendation 😊