Pleeeeease don't mess with the natural stone. It's lovely and the arch is unique. Already has a wow factor combined with that wonderful tree. I'd get rid of the gravel and pave the patio with a natural stone all over. Lose the bitty pots and knick knacks.

Not MCM for sure and please do not mess with that stone work unless you plan t remove it all. It is possible that buried in there somewhere was a ranch that apparently someone wanted to be spanish so now you have amess IMO . I think get landscape designer to do a plan that suits the house as is or get a bank loan to put it back where it was . MCM all about simplicity what you have not so much .I would now choose a color from the stone to paint the siding and the trim to start and then work on the landscaping . I agree no little pots anywhere every thing will need to be inproportion to that stone work .So big planters filled to overflowing with seaonal plants to start and either do that whole space with stone or pavers pick one and then some nice much larger chairs for seating

Are you in Texas? Hill Country? The Live Oaks are why I ask.

That Spanish influence on ranch houses was very popular here in the ’60s and ’70s. I love the arch.

Please don’t paint the stone, it would ruin it forever. Embrace how quirky it is. :)

I’d do an off-white trim/siding color and your idea of paving the entry. Add big rustic pots, maybe even some Talavera. Lean into that over MCM.

Or an earthy, organic color, like some sort of green (sage, olive, etc). Lots of possibilities, as the stone is completely neutral.

Obviously an actual Spanish style house, but those can provide inspiration. Love lots of plants, it livens up courtyard areas, as well as softens all the hard surfaces:

Sorry for the laughably bad mock-ups, just showing an earthy green:

Darker (olive) green:

Your house is beautiful just as it is. Plant some things if you want, but leave the building alone. It's perfect!

Oh please do not touch that stone work - it is amazing ! I think the green colors would be great. I would really focus on the landscaping - that is where you can bring the drama. I would have it spill out from the archway into the front yard ( I would love to spend time sitting under that gorgeous tree! - a much wider pathway and beautiful flower beds. Get a few plants/shrubs that will grow taller for the long stone wall to the right.

Don't forget landscape lighting ( Uplight that stone work at night! ) , maybe a rock formation or some kind of water feature.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your time and design ideas. I really really appreciate it.
I will not touch the stone work. 🙏
It’s good to know I’m leaning more towards a Spanish feel. Jilly you’re right I am in Texas. 👏
I love the idea of the plant pots in the courtyard. What color tiles should I put on the floor of the courtyard, terracotta or talavera? And I will consider painting the house the green you suggested. I was thinking if to go some kind of orange so it looked like the sunset on the inside through the arch but I’m obviously not good at this hence my reason for asking for help. I appreciate you all. 🙏
Debbi, I like the idea of plants that will grow taller on the long stone part of the wall, should I get climbing ones? And of course lighting is a fantastic idea. Might need help there on making it look good lol 😂.
Big Doug, your design looks fabulous. 👏
I will put all your idea’s together and work on that.

I like your idea of orange, too! Something really earthy, rather than bright.

Maybe someone can do some mock-ups with a terra cotta siding color … as mine above show, it’s not my forte. :D

I love your idea of it being like a sunset. Maybe get some paint samples in different colors to see what you like in various lights.

Good luck! Would love to see future updates!

I am not familiar with plants that do well in Texas. Are you trying to do this on your own? I would look into a landscape architect/designer. They will know what sort of stone can be put down and the best plants for your space based on soil condition and sunlight.

A wisteria could be beautiful growing there!

I’d love to help with suggestions for plants when the ideas are further along (I’m in D/FW). :)

And….when possible, consider replacing the arch topped windows in the courtyard with simple rectangular ones, or one large one. The small arches read Palladian vs, the big arch which appears more Spanish modern. The contrast in scale is jarring. Your home has lots of promise! Good luck!

Ptreckel, the windows does need replacing and it would be much cheaper for me to go rectangular so thanks for that idea. I’m also doing some work inside the house and need to add a window on the area that shows the long part of the rock wall, will rectangular look good there too or should that be arched? Thank you.

Jilly thank you for the offer. I don’t know how to contact you away from this feed, is there a way?

Debbi I was hoping to do as much of the work as I can because I just don’t have the budget. That’s why I was asking for help here. So I’ve really appreciated all help given. 🙏🥰

Frankie, private messaging. :)

I would remove all arches (except your lovely big stone one!) and replace those windows with rectangular (conventional) windows.

That's even better when you do things on your own ( when you can). Make friends at your local garden center. Don't start anything without a plan and know your limits. Know when you might need a professional. Planting flower beds are not that hard if you do your homework - how big will the plant get, what sunlight does it need, how wide does it grow etc.

Take you time - do a little at a time and then step back.

And of course, don't forget after photos!

Good luck

I think the house would look good in a greige or taupe color, or a tan, for the base color. A color close to the stone for a monochrome scheme.

It would look good with the red roof standing in for red clay tile, visually. A green paint could be tricky to pull off with the red in the roof.

I like the dark brown small door and decor.

Not sure I would call a house built in the 1970's mid century. Whatever, paint the clapboard a color of the lightest stone. No need for a cheap out door furniture as it ruins the impact of the windows.

Mostly illustrating others' good suggestions:

Agree with stone-colored siding, dark trim, squared windows. I would add a hefty dark wood beam across the top of the arched stone wall, creating three staggered horizontal dark lines the length of the house (roof fascias and wall top). Maybe even outline the arch in dark wood if possible? A tall terra cotta planter against the section of wall visible through the arch could echo the pinkish tone of the roof and help link it to the more yellowish stone/siding area. (Would need a dramatic, Texas-tolerant plant. Help, @Jilly!) I show a window in the long stone wall, since you said you will be adding one, but I don't know size or placement.

I would keep the landscaping totally simple, so nothing distracts from that magnificent, sculptural live oak. Low plantings next to the house, maybe seed some Texas wildflowers into the grass, and call it done? Would probably pave more of the courtyard (and maybe extend outward for a plaza-like feel), but leave planting areas, since plantings inside the wall won't compete with the live oak and will help make the courtyard a pleasant place to be. The end wall in your last photo, for example, will be a good backdrop for plants with interesting shapes. (Keep headroom in mind, by the way, when deciding on pavement width under the arch, to guide walkers to the center where there is sufficient clearance.)

Great property!