Do a search here for "courtyard." Some beautiful photos of courtyards of all sizes and budgets. I'm not sure I'd bisect your front windows. I think that would look odd from both the inside and out and make the front of your house look unbalanced. I don't think the area is too large and it would set off your driveway and garage as a utility area with the focus shifted on your house itself. I've seen beautiful courtyards in our area done with just plant material without a wall. I don't personally care for staggered blocks -- to me it looks like a cost-saving measure, but that's just my preference. You have a really handsome front door, but I'd probably eliminate the high bush that's looking a little sun starved and too big for the space. It would showcase your door more without that there, and I'd paint the door a brighter color to bring out the detail. This would be a pretty addition to your house.

I've looked at the pictures here, I am just struggling with scale. We are redoing the whole front. The doors have already been repainted and the area between the sidewalk and garage is now big pots and a water feature.

I had been planning a foliage courtyard, but my husband is interested in a real wall, so I am looking for info. I can create the scale I want with plants, but a wall is rather permanent!

Oh, I have to have a permit for EVERYTHING here! I have to have my garbage cans screened and need a permit to put up the screen! A line on the ground looks great, but how does that transfer into the height? Two feet high? Four? Twelve?

The driveway has plenty of width.

Do you have an HOA in your neighborhood. If you do, everything must be with their approval. I don't see why you would need a city permit or anything like that for a relatively simple project. I would get a couple of free estimates from landscaping companies and then try and replicate that yourself, if you are doing it as a DIY project.

The City code may provide the height; you could also use the lines that are on the corner of the garage and house - using those dimensions or including in the walls the same corners...

Trust me. The village is into everything. If I want to cut down that tree in the front yard, I have to get a permit and replace it with a specific amount of other greenery. The estimates from landscape companies is good advice, but then I feel like I would be flying under false colors.

I hear you. I suppose that is a bit on the shady side! Can you do a wall and pour a cement patio floor? Maybe you should hire someone to do the hard scape and then finish the rest of the project yourself.

I wonder if a short " garden" wall, filled with soil and planted with a row of Boxwood shrubs would work to define your court yard with a soft green touch as well as provide a slight wall that hubby would like. I would extend the " garden" wall just past your two front windows. Once you add outdoor furnishings like chairs, or even a table, potted plants and whatever else you have in mind, you will be surprised how it will fill up and not be too big. The "garden" wall will provide a sweep of landscaping to the front of the house, provide you with a defined area for the court yard and not obstruct a view of the front of your lovely home from the street, but rather enhance it.

I would continue with the same size that is on the house. The Village will provide all the specs that are needed. If you need to keep the tree you can put a perimeter around it.

If you do opt for an actual wall in front, it could be softened and greened up with a planted row of foliage good for your area, on the street view side. Again, just my opinion, I would not make it too high so not to block your house's front view form the curb.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/16-street-santa-monica-mediterranean-exterior-los-angeles-phvw-vp~1636949

We are just now building our house. Our courtyard walls will consist of a one ft stone wall with a 3 ft wrought iron fence on top. There will be stone columns at all corners. In your case, I would not have the wall between your windows. I would have it at the corner. I don't think scale is as important here... Just plan what you like and what coordinates with your house.

If you are thinking a low wall, I would run the stucco wall all the way to the corner of the house at least. Top with brick that matches house, that way it doesn't look like addition. Don't just put one to in between windows. If you find area too large, add a large planter or sculpture so its in the center of the windows, but also center of house and courtyard wall, if this makes sense:) Something like picture. I would suggest a water feature, but you said you now have one.
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i think the single low wall across the front might be the way to go, then divvy up the space with plants. It would also give me a full sun area, since the house faces north.
MarleneM, there is no rule that says I can't have two water features! :-) The one by the house is a lion head fountain attached to the wall. I could do a small pond or a stand alone fountain, depending.
Kadodi, I gave some thought to that style, as well!

I agree. Two water features would be great. There are so many options. I like bubbling ones.
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I was thinking of your lion head wall fountain when I saw the first picture. The second picture would look nice with it. You are going to just love sitting out there with a glass of wine when you are done!

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