Love the front door system in Pic #2.

Love the pergola idea, and it seems in keeping with your interior style. I didn't realize how extensively you were planning to reconstruct the front area, so the sky is the limit? ; )

Your house is grand, so a large welcoming entrance fits the scale. I like both photos and the idea of expanding the stone patio all the way across to the driveway, so that guests getting out of their car have a place to land with a natural progression toward the front door. Of course, that's if you have a large gathering and cars are lining down the driveway.

Found a few for inspiration.

Natural pavers for walkway. Something like these

TY @bluemarble, I was not really planning "to reconstruct the front area", but I tend to keep looking for all the elements to fall in place before changing anything. Q/"so the sky is the limit?" A/ in terms of creativity? yes; in terms of budget? no!

TY @Flo Mangan, I like the idea of a large and warm entrance with wide paths, and plants, with an eco-friendly approach. BTW, we have a deer population and a septic system in place.

Of course, it will be some time from ideabook to implementation, but posting this "dilemma" in Houzz helps me focus a bit... so thank you all !!

--Door vendors: I also checked @GloWindows Thank you Glo ! :)

Hi all, here is an update: --Landscaping: I have been RFQ, but I think ideas will follow the functional porch and patio. --Front redo: I got this rendering with inspiration pic #1 and pic #2 in mind (by Creative Visual). I am hoping for an inviting entry for a "close by the lake" house; what do you all think?

I think with some tweaks this can work. I would put a fountain on right side so it speaks more to front yard but still harkens to lake. Add planter/benches on left side for privacy and safety. Add landscaping and possibly some cover or drapery to arbor. Right now it’s too much like a backyard.

I still like this style door or a single wide door.

Here are a couple of mock-ups with stone pillars under the pergola and a row of evergreens on the left of the patio. I borrowed the stone pillars idea from your pic #1 just to see how it ties in with the front facade. Might look better in real life and in certain angles? I scattered various planters here and there for inspiration, planted some Russian Sage and flanked the walkway near the porch with crane sculptures. I like the idea of a water feature on the right side of the walkway. Probably too much all at once, but you can pick and choose if you like anything.

I like the cranes at entry. Nice water element.

Removed the stone pillars, enlarged the path giving it a curve...and green grass, of course. ; )

Hi all @bluemarble @FloMangan @cecily 7A @cupofkindnessgw @jayapple21 @kitasei2 @lyfia @Sigrid @Stacey @littlebug zone 5 Missouri

My original intention was to enhance the sense of place by the lake, but I got lost in the many choices and costly remodel possibilities, so I placed everything on hold. Now that the weather is better, I thought, it was a good time to re-focus on the landscaping. And so, I revived this thread to thank you all for all the great ideas, and to keep myself accountable for doing something before Spring Break. 😂

Great! Looking forward to “restart”!

I see something like this in front: Mediterranean feel, wider stone (or concrete?) walkway continuous with a terrace (stone?) on the left, where the fenced area is now, additional stone columns with substantial stained beams overhead, with seating and end tables in an L shape, acting as a guardrail for the left and front. (Hopefully the level of the terrace could be slightly below the retaining wall, so the wall would make a "lip" to keep the furniture pieces from being pushed off the terrace edge. Code might require a rail, though, especially on the left.) Vines (grapes?) for terrace shade, a smaller-scale tree (Texas redbud?) in the corner to screen the powder room window. Low-maintenance shrubs and ground covers around terrace and under tree (unless you love gardening and want something more demanding). And yes, the door absolutely needs to be centered, edges preferably aligned with the window above, even if that means sacrificing the sidelight. And the brick needs to be painted a warmer color that speaks to the stone. The siding is warmer; maybe something similar, so the siding can be left as is? See what you think.

Thank you all. And @simplynatural @bluemarble @Flo Mangan I’m convinced now it’s a Mediterranean feel: stone terrace and columns, wooden beams, and cream & lavender accents.

FRONT: Here are my little steps toward the dream, while the "to-do-list" keeps growing: 1. masonry: add limestone columns to the front terrace; 2. paint: re-stain brick, cream color (match siding); 3. large pergola: that could be attached to columns?.

@simplynatural @bluemarble @Flo Mangan @cecily 7A @cupofkindnessgw @jayapple21 @kitasei2 @lyfia @Sigrid @Stacey @littlebug zone 5 Missouri and all, here is my update (one year later!): Finally, I bought the flagstone, which was delivered yesterday 😊. I’m going to postpone the columns and pergola and just complete the flagstone front patio and front path. Now that I have the materials, I could use your help again on where to start and how much I can accomplish with the flagstone alone. Here are my 5 questions:

1. I want to make the flower bed look like a terrace-like with planters. Should I start by leveling, keeping the borders, and then adding a flagstone bib to the edge of the sidewalk?

2. Remove and replace the lawn strips between the flower bed and path with flagstone. Should the flagstone only be on one side of the path (where the lawn strip is)?

3. I want to keep the current cemented path. Can I top that path with flagstone?

4. The right-side patio (the small one by the BA 1 window) is lower. Should I fill it in to level it with the front stoop?

5. The left-side patio (a large one by the study with 3 windows) has a black fence. Should I remove the fence and fill the entire area with flagstone?

Feeling hopeful 🥺

👋Update:

1. I got all the materials needed to finish the front.

2. I removed the flower bed, the small fence, and the lawn strips in front of the garage, bathroom, and study windows.

3. Now, I'm looking at the bare front and realizing how much the slope makes the cement foundation visible on the right & left side patios.

New dilemma: Should I cover the cement with stone veneer? Any other suggestions?

You have accomplished a great deal already! Now, where to go from here.

Establishing the level of the patio will be the most critical part of this stage of construction. I envisioned the patio level with the walk (which looked level to me in the photos). I also envisioned a low parapet around the left side and left front of the patio, to keep furniture legs from sliding off the drop-off, if nothing else.

In the latest photo of the house front, it looks like the walkway tilts upward where it meets the entry platform. Is the rest of the walk level except for that final uptilt? If so, I would just remove that wedge of tilted concrete and pour a step instead, extending all the way across the entry from the outer edge of one stone column to the outer edge of the other. Make it a generous depth. Then lay the patio level with the walk, leaving a planting bed under the triple window that is at least the depth of the new step. Something like this:

You could paint the exposed concrete to match the house if you wish, but the intent is that plants will hide it. I'm not sure why it looks like the stone on the left column ends higher than the stone on the right one, leaving more concrete exposed at the base of the left column than the right. The stone on both columns should extend all the way down to the top of the new step that will butt up against them.

If you set the patio level with the hopefully-level walk, will the retaining wall extend a few inches above the patio, or will you need to add one more layer of block to get a low parapet? That will partly depend on whether you plan to keep the walk concrete or cover the walk with stone so walk and patio look continuous. Adding a stone layer to the walk will raise its level (unless you tear it out and rebuild), therefore raising the patio to match, which might require raising the retaining wall. Here's the paved patio showing the relationships:

Obviously, for safety you will need a railing around the patio where there is a drop-off. I suppose the railing alone could keep the furniture corralled, without a parapet wall at its base, in which case the existing retaining wall might be high enough. You would have to watch the detailing of the edge, in that case. Would you extend the stone over the top of the retaining wall or butt it up against it? Again, the finished level of the patio will be critical to how the two meet.

And here are a couple of edits with plantings roughly air-brushed in, so you can envision where this is headed. The first shows a patio-level planting bed under the triple window. The second shows a slightly raised bed with its edge an extension of the front edge of the new step.

Thank you, @simplynatural! Your advice has been incredibly helpful, and your mockups have given us a clear visual of the way forward. We've decided on your first option (below) and will pay close attention to the leveling and drainage, as you mentioned it is crucial.

The walkway needs to be level; it slopes down from the garage to the "right-side patio" and then upwards to the entry platform. This project allows us to correct the entryway by laying a level flagstone patio over the cement strip. Thank you once again; your mockup was crucial in making this decision. I'll keep you all updated.

We've made some progress on the walkway/patio area. The cemented path is now covered, and we've successfully removed the tilted concrete piece (by the entry platform) and leveled it for a new step. We're now exploring the best way to create that step, so if anyone has any suggestions, we'd appreciate it!

We encountered a few issues along the way. Some sprinkler heads are against the wall, so we're planning to leave a border of crushed flagstone all along. Also, our flagstone pallets don't match in color and thickness, so we've decided to save them for the backyard and use pavers instead. Thank you all. Cheers!

👋 All, here is a picture to show progress from 2 weeks ago.

1) We leveled the area maintaining the existing slope and used only crushed granite for the base,

2) We have also added a step leading to the entry platform :)

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New issues: Below the triple window, one can see the original brick color where the window box was located, the capped-off sprinkler heads, and the slope grade.

My biggest concern is leveling the left side (the terraced area in front of the studio). I left a paver on the side of the step and the pink line for reference. Any comments are welcome!

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I would level the left side's base material from the entry to the left-side retaining wall so the finished patio will be at the bottom of the new step (make the new step's riser height match the step-to-porch riser height), then slope the patio area slightly from the house wall to the front edge. 1/8" to 1/4" slope per foot of run is the guideline I see for adequate drainage. If the front retaining wall is then higher than the patio surface, you will need openings in it so water can drain away. (Caveat: If construction professionals give you different advice, take theirs!) Paint takes care of the area where the window box was.

Can stone be added to the bottom of the columns where it is missing, or will you have to faux paint that to look like the stone goes all the way down to the step? I see that the pavers lean pink, missing the warm honey of the stone that was the intent, but that probably is what it is.

@simplynatural Thanks a bunch for all the pointers!

We've taken note and we'll be reviewing the plan this weekend.

Hey everyone; I wanted to give you an update.

(1) We had to remove the new step in front of the entry platform due to the slope toward the retaining wall.

(2) We made some improvements to the existing retaining wall. Now, it's parallel to the house and has proper drainage. These (2) changes will result in a spacious terrace, which could also serve as a step and accommodate a future pergola.

(3) We kept the pavers, as this is our second order of materials for the terrace. Hopefully, the pots and plants will tie everything together.

PS: The picture below displays the "new entrance terrace" and highlights a new issue: the uneven step. Can it be rectified with a future pergola and step? 🤔Thanks for all the support!

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I see a lot of hard work and it looks really good! If the patio level is high enough that an extra step isn't required at the house entry, that's fine.

It looks like the base material is now about at the top of the retaining wall. Will the pavers sit on top of the retaining wall then (if so, will you mortar them in place?), or will you raise the wall?

Will the pavers bring the finished patio surface level with the entry area (no step up at all) or will you lay pavers over the entry area also (keeping one step up from the patio)?

Right now, it looks like the surface of the base material would be perfect for the surface of the patio, but that would require removing enough base material to equal the thickness of the pavers.

Last week, we had to pause the project due to extreme temperatures. However, today the terrace area is nearly complete, and I wanted to share the progress. I'm now going back to the original exterior color palette that started this discussion two years ago and reviewing all the valuable suggestions! Here's what I've gathered so far: for a Mediterranean exterior to suit our location (hot, dry, Texas, Spanish, lake).

Now I need your suggestions for finalizing the exterior color palette:

1. Stained brick: We will prep/remove the shiny white paint and use “Romabio Masonry Flat”. We're leaning towards a beige shade (Riposo Beige), to complement the limestone color. What do you think?

2. Siding & trim: I need help choosing between matching the siding and trim or having some contrast for dimension. I want a clean look but not a monochromatic one (aka "sad").

3. Additionally, we're adding a pergola with a brown-stained beam. SW3507 Riverwood🙂?

@simplynatural @bluemarble @Flo Mangan @cecily 7A @cupofkindnessgw @jayapple21 @kitasei2 @lyfia @Sigrid @Stacey @littlebug zone 5 Missouri Your input has been invaluable in this process, and I'm eager to hear more about the color palette. Any suggestions will help us make the best decisions for our project.

PS: The "Riposo Beige" is limewash, not Masonry Flat :(. So we'll need to chose another one! 🤔

I see Riposo Beige in Masonry Flat as well as limewash. There is also Tropea Beige, which is a bit lighter. Both lean yellow on my monitor, but you will need to check samples in real life, since it's impossible to judge color on a screen. (Just look at the differences in stone color in your post's original three photos above.) Maybe check Instant Chateau as a trim color? It leans more pink and might tie in the pavers.

<Edited with photos > Hi @simplynatural, thank you for your advice; it was crucial to our project's progress!

1- We finished the terrace area. We added more material to level the left area, which caused the retaining wall to lose its lip/parapet. We plan to add one more row later. We also added a footer in limestone to ground the front columns. 😊Our next step is to add large flower pots to create an edge and an inviting courtyard space.

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2- As for the colors, we had to make a "quick decision" (after 2 years 🤣) because the painting crew is available to start next week. So, this morning, we finalized the color palette selection. We aimed to capture both a Spanish and lake feel. What do you think?

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3- Next, we'll proceed with building the pergola! Your generosity and vision have been invaluable to us; thank you again, @simplynatural. I will keep updating our progress, and I hope you'll continue checking in on this. 🌱

Here is the updated progress report (or lack of 😔). I would greatly appreciate your thoughts:

1. Retaining Wall Barrier: We still need to add a lip/parapet on the retaining wall. Q1/ Where should we stop on the left front? Should we stop just in front of the columns and add a natural step on the grass?

2. Exterior Painting: The painters suggested painting over the latex without removing it, but we are committed to doing the right treatment, which involves removing the latex and repainting using Romabio. So we are back to quoting, Q2/ Which Romabio, Masonry flat or textured? and which color to better showcase the limestone color?

(and that does not clash with what we think is just the "right green" for the siding ;)

3. Pergola: Thank you for helping us dream of a statement entrance. We are drawing inspiration from Las Alturas finishes and your rendering. With regard to the location of the columns on the terrace, Q3/ how far inside should they be to ensure the best use of space and aesthetics?

The retaining wall lip doesn't need to be very high; an inch or two would keep furniture legs from sliding off. I would probably end it where the columns end on the right. Keeping people from falling off is a different matter. Check your local building codes. Most would require a railing given the height of the drop-off on the left side and left front corner. (A railing can run between columns.) I envisioned access to the grass from the walkway as it approaches the patio, and not from the patio itself, so no step needed as the walkway is level with the grass.

Regarding paint, I have no experience with any Romabio product. From what I read, Textured is thicker, contains aggregate, therefore would fill voids and smooth rough surfaces more than Flat would, but I don't know if you need or want that smoothing. Both say two coats over absorbent surfaces, or their primer plus two coats over non-absorbent. Both come in two beiges, Riposo (more pink on my screen) and Tropea (more yellow on my screen), or can be custom-tinted. As noted before, you will have to judge color with actual samples on actual walls.

I would probably place columns just inside the retaining wall lip, abutting it.

Update: Removing the previous latex paint has not been easy😢. Though we want to lighten the brick again to showcase the limestone columns, we'll be using Romabio products and the limewash technique—and hopefully, we won't be doing this ever again.

I'm looking forward to sharing the progress and start decorating the terrace! As for the pergola project, we're still searching for the right finishes and contractor.

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PS: Color samples 1. Riposo Beige, 2. Cristallo White, 3. Custom mix 1-2:

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Painting update #2: A word of caution: "Do not ever use latex paint, and do not use bright white paint"! We have been removing the paint for a week now. We've tried different paint strippers, pressure washing, and soft scrubbing, but we have done less than 50%, and still, paint remains on those walls. We even considered sandblasting and laser blasting, but they are not advisable for our brick and color, and the potential damage is not worth the risk.

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PS#2: I started a new post about interior décor, in case anyone is still around and would like to help me enhancing our indoor-outdoor connection. Thank you all!! https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6466302/i-m-ready-to-swap-lighting-and-accents-in-my-open-lr-dr

Painting Update #3: We are making progress, one side at a time; we have left the grass untouched to protect it during the painting project ;)

Pergolas: We have explored various options for both the front and back pergolas, but the costs are too high. For now, we are shifting our focus to landscaping without structures. I am looking at your suggestions for deer resistant plantings and I would greatly appreciate any additional ones, considering the painting and patio in front. Here is the front view:

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The color is so much better! I would get some large and taller planters to put by the pillars and fill them with something tall and also something that spills over and trails down the planter.

Add furniture and then below is a list of deer-resistant low water plants that has worked for me.

Bushes:

Esperanza - I like the smaller versions as they still get quite large and humming birds love them

Texas Sage - silvery leaves and purple flowers when the bushes senses potential rain

Dwarf Yaupon Holly - nice low mounding evergreen

Other flowering plants:

Lamb's ear

Mexican bush sage

Lantana

Russian sage

Mealy sage

Jerusalem Sage

Cherry Sage (salvia Greggii)

Bicolor Iris

Pink Skullcap

In general it seems anything sage the deer doesn't like, but these are the things that have survived year after year of deer and are still going. I've had to replace some of them due to not being hardy enough for the temperature in the teens we saw a few years ago, but the deer didn't get them.

Thank you,@lyfia; it really helps to know what has worked for you! Following the original advice, I will shape the new flower bed with low shrubs along the terrace. I will start with two evergreens now (Texas silver sage and Cherry sage), going along the front left and down the left side. By the way, the paint removal on the left side is still ongoing:

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On another good note, we have finished the right side (garage side). I am happy with the colors since this is the side we see approaching the house from the street.😊:

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Note that although cherry sage is an evergreen it is not very full. if you want more of a full bush to fill in as a background to cherry sage I would add some dwarf yaupon holly they are evergreen and will be full green all year around and does not require much water or any shaping.

Thank you @lyfia, for your advice. I will be visiting a couple of local nurseries this weekend to find some 3-5 gallon plants to get a head start on the deer ;)

We have finished the left side (terrace side). This is the corner I would like to be done first, , following the wrap-around line proposed by @simplynatural, @Flo Mangan, @bluemarble :

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I believe your home will benefit from sone large potentially interesting shaped trees on that low side of the front yard scape. River Birch cone to mind. If they work in your zone. The grow pretty fast so you would get good coverage and interest quite quickly. A couple large boulders at their base would anchor that corner bed nicely. Bonus, the birch is so pretty in winter too. You probably need 3 clumps in that space.

Your home is looking gorgeous. The terrace is amazing addition.

Thank you for your comments; you keep me motivated. The rear side is painted, and the grass is mowed. I will be cleaning up and getting some plants soon (water-wise, and deer-resistant)!🌿

@Flo Mangan- River birch tree: it's a beauty! I am getting some for the backyard, where we have water drainage from the septic sprayers (along the neighbor's fence).

@Kat M - Thank you!, the front patio is going to be our "happy courtyard." I am planning to buy some large planters and a trellis to create a border of lavender and rosemary.

@lyfia- To get that "something that spills over and trails down the planter," I tried out an indoor Pothos I have; it's incredible how much it brightens the space. Thank you for the idea!

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I just wanted to share that my plants have finally arrived, and I plan to plant them before its too cold. I have Silver sage and Salvia greggii for the border, and Wisteria vines for the 3 planters along the tall patio edge. This weekend, my goal is to get the Rosemary to plant along the border and in the pots. I'm hoping that its scent will serve as a natural deterrent to keep the deer away from the new plants.🍃🙂🍃

PS: It's been cold; the plants are still alive and will be planted tomorrow:

--The Texas Wisteria vines for the 3 planters. Each planter took (3) 40lbs potting soil; hopefully, they will be sturdy enough to remain in place!

--The Texas Silver sage (cenizo), Salvia greggii (Cherry sage), and the Rosemary for the border. Any last-minute suggestions for the plant placement here?

Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

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The Texas silver sage will take up a lot of space once it grows some. I'd look at the finished size of the plants and place them based on that size with some annuals or smaller plants to fill in the gap as temporary measures. The Rosemary also will get a decent size and the Cherry Sage can as well. It is hard to tell how deep the space is that you have, but to me it looks like a grown Texas Silver sage will take up the whole depth.

Thank you, @lyfia, for the advice on allowing the plants to grow throughout the entire depth (3ft). I will use then a zigzag planting pattern, placing creeping rosemary in the front and silver or cherry sages in the back (spaced 2ft apart). Also, as you suggested, I will fill the gaps with smaller plants, possibly Gregg's blue mistflower or prairie verbena, if any are available at this time 🌿.

The silver sage will take up the full width of the 3ft you have and a little more. I would start with placing them in the center of the 3ft and where you want them and then fill in the edges of those with the cherry sage in back and creeping rosemary in front. So sort of a triangle for each placement. Make sure to leave space to the sides too for the silver sage.

Love the railing change on back deck. I’ll bet that’s a real value add on your improved views!! And in front is have a couple ideas but let me think a bit more and see if I can find good example photos for you. You’ve come a long way though!!

The front area is massive so items on it have to have enough presence to look right. Sone concepts. Perhaps a large wood swing structure on far left cut side facing the house. Maybe a couple large beefy pieces with some plants tucked around. There is also a faux water feature concept. See photos.

Here is swing concept free standing swing. https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Furinno-Tioman-2-Person-Hardwood-Teak-Oil-Patio-Swing-with-Stand-FG16409/310158647?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_026_PATIO_FURN-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D28I-028_026_PATIO_FURN-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX_SHP_JControl24-20409861021--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Ue5WfClvrFWepZo-7GYkpg_v&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq-u9BhCjARIsANLj-s3Jz0hG015qzJYtr6I1H4S7wp6A5MUfpxXAFEtRd7gaAWMASyrNk8IaAq_2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds