Good morning DK - I'd like to send a design consultant out to you if you're interested. They can discuss your project, go over numbers and answer any questions you have about synthetic turf/grass. It's absolutely free ... I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have ... EasyTurf is definitely drought tolerant ;)
Cheers!
George
http://www.houzz.com/projects/82914/Beautiful-Front-Yard

I love it!!!

Great clean landscaping.

Looks great wonderful idea

Nice!

I wouldn't do fake grass (because it always looks fake). Why not just go with granite pathways and a Mediterranean - low water landscape? Your front yard is really small and it wouldn't be expensive, nor a lot of maintenance. I think you should paint the retaining wall the color of your house too - good idea.

Contemporary gardens are easier to manage and require less water with a couple of tiles and gravel with desert plants or palms you will be on your way to having the envy of the neighborhood.

As Emily said, you have a great start!! This is such a cute house!!! Love the style and the colors!

I like the star jasmine flower and the river rocks you mentioned!

Not sure how the cherry blossom tree is to grow or if it needs a lot of water, but that is a beautiful tree for the planter in the front by the sidewalk. Good luck!

Some cities in the Los Angeles area have restrictions on how much of the front yard and parking strip have to be covered in living plants. Check with city hall first to avoid fines.

Inabunker - synthetic turf has come a long way, and I'd have to say that it doesn't always look fake- cheaper brands, maybe, but not EasyTurf, It looks and feels like the real deal - you'd have to have your nose down in it to see the infill before you'd know it was not real grass.
http://www.easyturf.com/spotthefake/attachment/spot/
Cheers!
George

a few well placed -low- lanterns in your garden will be an easy face lift. Among the new planting beds this will be a beautiful beacon extending the view at night and adding delight in the day. You can send us a sketch if you need and we can help recommend the right style for Ranch. And our lighting factory here in Chatsworth so that may help .you.

Sounds like you want to limit work in the front to landscape development as you have already overspent on other work. That is certainly sensible, but when you are ready for a broader agenda I would urge you to remedy the tiny front porch, the steep steps up to the porch, the security door and maybe the garage door.

It looks like when someone comes to the door they must step off the porch and down the steps so there is room for the security door to swing out without hitting them. The porch is only about as wide as the door and the steps are narrow and tall. I've seen houses built just like this and it would improve your house immensely to eliminate these problems and make the front comfortable and welcoming.

Replacing the front porch with some kind of deck with steps built into it is my obvious initial thought. Regardless, do consider eliminating the security door and replacing the garage door with a wood door that has some character.

I really appreciate everyone's feedback/suggestions!

Re: porch/front door - that's still a work in progress. Trying to find the right style entry door (to coord. w/new walnut garage door) that allows air flow to take advantage of the ocean breeze (we don't have air conditioning). Also might bump out into that porch area to expand our kitchen/dining area... I'm meeting with a designer this week to explore layout options.

Just some thoughts...