I like the look of them, but the gravel in the driveway area stays and I'm worried there won't be enough contrast. The Tennessee rock driveway border will stand on end cemented into a trench. It may all just run together with the thin border in front. By the by, this is in Western NC. I think I can get mbp's locally.

A lot of folks think a stone (or brick chip) groundcover will be less work than an organic mulch. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only will you still get weeds, they're harder to deal with, and any leaves, dirt, and other debris will make it look grungy really quickly.

Hi Andy....Have you seen black mulch???

They also have mulch made of recycled tires... Love your home!

@Revolutionary Gardens, what is organic mulch..

Very much agree with Revolutionary Gardens! Weed seeds still eventually WILL get into a stone mulch and grow...it is more difficult to pull them out of the stone chips. And dirt and debris will blow in and get stuck up there.
An organic mulch, like woodchips or bark or ground up nut shells etc will be easier to pull any weeds out of and camouflage any dirt, leaves that blow in for much longer. Just put down a generous thick layer to begin with and top up every couple of years as the mulch composts away.

@Angela - to expand on what wyndyacre said, an organic mulch is typically shredded wood or leaves (I won't use cocoa hulls because they're toxic to dogs). The maintenance is certainly a factor, but the best reason for using an organic mulch instead of stone or ground up tires is the soil. If it's a plant bed, everything should come back to the health of the plants. Organic mulch will slowly break down and release nitrogen back into the soil (as well as a host of other trace nutrients), feeding and revitalizing your plants. Stone mulches just sit there, soaking up heat (which can also be harmful to some plants).

@Andy - If the goal is to have a minimal bed with the emphasis on containers, I'd utilize a low growing groundcover to achieve the same effect. The purple/burgundy tones of ajuga would pull a lot of the colors out of your house, while creating a very low carpet that will also out-compete the weeds. It'll also create textural interest. In other words, it achieves everything you're trying to achieve with the brick chips - but will work better long term.

And I say a big ol' no to black (or any other color) dyed mulches. If the dyes stain your skin when you handle it, stain your driveway when it rains - why would you want to use it? Mulch is ugly and mulch gets uglier over time. Plants get better looking over time. Make your beds about the plants and not the mulch and you'll win.

Thanks all for your advice. I think the ground cover advice is especially valuable. I have someone coming to look at it that is more plant oriented and will speak with him about incorporating ground cover. I'll make sure to post some after pictures when I finally complete the job. I really appreciate people taking time out of their busy day to reply.

I agree with the groundcover idea. AJuga would blend but I would like to contrast and golden Lysimachia or scotch moss would add a bright contrast. http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/lysimachia-nummularia-aurea-golden-creeping-jenny.aspx

The tree below would look really cool against the color of your house. No idea though if it is a match for your zone though.
http://houzz.com/photos/93552

I like the square planters with grasses idea! Fits well with the facade.

Love the plan except the red brick chips. I like small black mulch. It looks more like rich loam and the ornamental grasses look great with it.

We have used dark brown rubber mulch for a couple of years and love it. We have a poodle mix dog and a Kuvasz who seemed to gravitate to the area around our garden house (the neighbor's dog visited at that location). The dirt and moisture would wick up his legs and he was always a mess until we put down the rubber mulch. No more dirt!! I have had no problems with the plants and the rubber mulch. Even my roses are thriving and I think it may help with the bug population. I highly recommend it. It's a little more expensive, initially, but it doesn't need to be done every year and doesn't blow away or erode.

HI -- Have you heard of glass gravel ? I think that would look wonderful around your modern home . It comes in lots of colors and it can be ordered on line and comes in bags by the pounds . No you cannot get cut on it . People always ask . Do a search and see if you can find a company close to you . There was a company in California that shipped anywhere . Or see if you can buy bulk aquarium gravel . Maybe you could find a wholesaler .

Love the color of your house. What color is that and where did you get it?

Sorry I don't know the colors. We bought it a few years after it was built and they didn't leave any exterior paint.