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Front Yard Curb appeal and Driveway. Advise needed!

12 years ago
We would like to add some parking in the front of the home.We currently have a driveway on the side of the home with a walkway that leads to the front door (pictured). We tend to park on the swale as do our guest. We need a lot of help with landscaping as well.


Link to pictures...

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/dnsource/library/Driveway

Comments (13)

  • 12 years ago
    Inspiration shot and a bad drawing lol
  • 12 years ago
    all suggestions welcome!!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Have you considered bringing a nice wide walkway from your driveway to the front door area? Similar to your sketch with the pavers to allow easy access from the current driveway. I will post a couple of pics. I like your inspiration photo for the walkway and driveway design. Have you contacted your city or county to see the procedure for adding another curb cut to your lot and driveway (along with swale modification) ?
    On point with your sketch and insp here are a couple showing longer walkways rather than the 'straight shot' approach.
    Midcentury Exterior · More Info

    Tangerine in the Desert · More Info

    My Houzz: A Mid-Century Marvel Revived in Long Beach · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    What I see a more of an impediment to your mid-century design is the current landscaping lining the driveway and the island area. If you removed the tall bushes from the right side of the driveway it wouldn't feel so closed off. Right now the driveway looks isolated and not really a part of your property just due to its current landscape design. The island with its current plantings is overgrown and old school...but not mid-century. It might be possible to limb up the trees in the island and replace the growth under the tree to modernize the landscape for a cost effective solution. Could we have a close up photo of the landscaping at the house?

    Here are a couple of pics illustrating the simple mid-century concept landscaping - not as full and lush as what you have at the moment
    Our 1954 Mid Century Ranch Home, Napa, CA · More Info

    MidCentury Modern Landscape Transformation On A Budget · More Info

    NewApproach · More Info

    Las Palmas Oasis · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    here are some more pictures. You can see the walkway from the current driveway. The reason for the tall podocarpus shrubs was privacy. I would defiantly like to modernize the landscaping some.
  • 12 years ago
    Denita, I love where your going with this
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    It would be really beneficial for you to work with a landscape architect in your area for the overall design. Even if you had to implement in stages as time and budget permit, you would end up saving money and time in the long run.

    IMO having your current walkway under the eve like that is a little bit "anti-MCM". It's looks like it feels closed in between the podocarpus and the wall.

    You have such a great home! And it is on a huge corner lot, the possibilities are pretty exiting :)
  • 12 years ago
    denita I sent you an email
  • 12 years ago
    Got it! Sent one back. Thanks
  • 12 years ago
    Jason and Chanelle, remember to check the "Find A Pro" section here on houzz for landscaping in Miami too.
  • 12 years ago
    Kind of outrageous but the first thing I saw was a have circle like half a flower, with a single entry point and petals painted in as parking spots.
  • 9 years ago

    I would first suggest to sealcoat the asphalt driveway. Sealcoating is an easy and inexpensive process that can keep your driveway in great condition, and it also helps to improve curb appeal.