This is the view from driveway

This post was edited by lindsroc on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 9:49

Another view from street

This post was edited by lindsroc on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 9:44

To give an idea of how much space we have

This post was edited by lindsroc on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 9:43

One more

This post was edited by lindsroc on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 9:51

Ok pics were not upside down when i posted them! If you click on them, it shows them right side up.

Other than their being upside down (for which you are not faulted!) it's a nice set of pictures that gives a good idea of the overall space from different viewpoints. Wish everyone would supply a set that good.

A clean slate is nice. But there is one element that could be much improved: the stone retaining wall. It's fine that it's there, but it's a substandard example of dry stacking stone. If its face and top were smooth and uniform, it would be an attractive asset. Now, it seems rough, crude and doesn't correspond accurately with the grade. That's' where I'd start because it sets the tone for the whole yard. It could seem refined, but now looks a little bit Boy Scout camp-ish.

Ok I think i fixed the pics by deleting them and re-uploading them! :)

I agree about the wall. In the back we have a giant slope that has about 3 levels all with these rocks that were used in the front. We are going to dig that out and level the yard and build a new retaining wall in the back. when we do that, we will take the rocks from the back and rebuild the front wall. its been there since the 50's and im sure has never had any work done to it. when we bought the house it was condemned so it was a complete overhaul.
aside from the wall, any advice on what and where to plant to give us a nice look in relation to the 1 level house and offer some privacy? thank you for your reply.

The rock wall rebuilding would occur before any planting. It's not something you could do after. You could plant areas other than near the wall, but this would not address your need for "privacy."

I doubt the wall was a nice wall in the 50's. Rocks in a wall don't change that much so it's a good bet that it was crudely built in the beginning.

If you could, describe what you are trying to achieve with "privacy" in the front yard. How much of the house do you wish will not be seen from the street? What activities will occur that require privacy?

We would like something nice to look at from in the house, other than the road and cars going by. Our street that we are facing is not the problem, its the street we are on the corner of. So maybe instead of saying we are looking for privacy, i guess you could say we are looking to block the view of the street from inside. Does that make more sense?

Hi

Congrats on your house!

I dont have a fully plan, but I have to say that decorative stones are some of my favorites when shining up my garden!

Best, nappa

In fact Iôve just ordered some beautiful decorative stones called Cherry Vanilla. You can see them at www.gravelshop.com

Here is a link that might be useful: gravelshop

Thank you!