I'm glad you decided to follow up and come here, and you've provided an excellent overview of the landscape parameters. For the info of others, I've linked below to the Decorating thread, where some of Duluth's suggestions for the house itself have also come up. With respect to landscaping, I originally thought the house would need beefier foundation plantings but upon reflection I wonder if there would be some merit to planting along the fence to give the boundary more presence. Chainlink being see-through, it offers no sense of enclosure or coziness. Painting the fence to make it disappear won't help with that. I think planting there would serve the purpose of flattering the house a bit as well; since from the curb, fence-line plantings will appear to supplement, and extend, the foundation plantings. I'm not sure if an outright hedge, or just a series of various plants, it would depend a bit on your taste and what you can get within budget. My only hesitation about recommending this is that it might restrict your ability to see as you exit the driveway, and enter it vis a vis hitting children playing in the yard. For that reason I don't think it needs to be anything tall. Something like a row of low azaleas and/or junipers or smaller boxwoods would provide an enhancement without blocking much driver view. If you go around the perimeter with the plantings, on the side past the corner you could go with some taller deciduous shrubs, which grow fast (think lilac, mock orange) and would enhance privacy in what seems like an otherwise very exposed yard. This need not be beyond your budget, especially if you get plants at a season's end discount or dig for other budget sources. For example, watch craigslist for people who want to give plants away. But even if you have to buy them small, I think they will have some impact. Maybe you could photoshop or sketch the idea and see if it appeals to you "on the ground" - sometimes things look really different in real life than they do on a picture. I agree about a specimen ornamental tree on the right - even a couple on the right and one on the left, not lined up with soldierly precision but somewhat naturally distributed. I'm going to guess this is a sunny yard that could use some shade, and there appears to be room even for trees that will eventually get quite large. Trees always seem to nestle a house into its site. Again, I don't think it matters if you have to plant small, and you may be able to get a good deal as local nurseries try to clear stock before winter. KarinL Here is a link that might be useful: Decorating thread

Wowzers, you guys ROCK!!! I am pretty confident that as of now, there will be no painting of brick. I totally agree with everyone - there are other things I can, and will, try first. I like to think I'm a DIYer, but at the same time, I'm also a procrastinator, so I'll definitely take my time. Franksmom, would you believe that all these years I've been lurking at GW, I've never spent ANY time on the gardening side? It's all sooooo new to me, and also a little overwhelming, it's hard to figure out where to start! It is a GREAT resource though, so I'll be gracing them with my presence, starting with Landscaping design, and the Mid Atlantic forums once I have a better idea on the sun, soil, etc, and once I can get better overall pictures (I don't move in until June and I don't want to seem creepy by showing up and casing the joint even though i'm technically a landlord now ;-) I love the idea of inexpensive stuff to tide me over while I make well-informed decisions, so THANK YOU! Dedtired, TOTALLY agree with the new mailbox! Between the askew, undersized porch light, and the askew mailbox, I feel a little bit slanty myself! Those house numbers have to go too, I never noticed them until you pointed out the mailbox, so thanks! Now I have to obsess about where to put house numbers.... Lazydaisy, you raise a very good point on the maintenance of window boxes. They are a smidge too high to reach from outside, so I would have to attack them from the inside, BUT, I just realize i have those crank out casement windows (which is also new to me, I grew up a "double-hung gal"... ok, that sounds bad >.Lana, thank you again for swooping in and giving me more inspiration! I'm really feeling better about the brick and roof, especially by anchoring with some foundation plantings. I've always been enamored with having a contrasting front door, but perhaps since the roof and brick contrast so much already, maybe a non-different door and accent color is the way to go? Cyn and Gail, I'm just around the beltway in Silver Spring (Montgomery County, MD). *waves* Hey gals! DelMarVa REPRESENT! ;-) Deer are definitely a concern - when I first saw this house, there was a family of them camped out in the back yard. I don't mind them at all (so long as they keep their ticks to themselves, TYVM!) , but at the same time, I don't want them to see my plantings as an open buffet at the Sizzler ;-) Lascatx, love the idea of adding some height to break up that massive ocean of brick on the left! Some DIY raised terraces could be very nice (so long as I figure out how to "do it right" ... and I REALLY like the thought of incorporating something architectural like a trellis or bird bath. My 3 kitties would ADORE having bathing birdies to stare at through those windows! Lynxe, my entire street is filled with houses that are exactly. the. same as mine, LOL! BUT, I am the only house with a bright green roof, so out of the gate, I already have an advantage! It's fun to pull up the house on google street view and just go up and down the road to see what everyone has done! It's actually pretty obvious who are the gardeners (or pay someone on their behalf) and who are not. There's definitely a lot to be gleaned, so thank you sooooo much for the suggestion! Also, Tthere's a tiny light, which is on the chopping block for something better - once the bay window shutters are gone, it won't seem so crowded on that side and I will have some visual breathing room for a nicer fixture. You raise good questions about the shape, size and contents of the beds. I'm honestly a little perplexed with what I have with the plantings right now. The PO left me with a receipt and designer layout (which I'm thankful for, because I now know what is where) but I'm having a hard time with the overall vision the designer must have had. Pretty sure everything will fill in as the season progresses, but it's so BARE in the winter, I wonder what the thinking/vision was with that? The rocks and such will be relegated to the back yard - I have plans to put a pond/rock garden back there (Though I've never put a pond in myself, my current house has one and I ADORE it), so those rocks will come in very handy! I may also decide to do a pond in the front too as time progresses, but that's WAAAAAY down the line! I really do love the look of boxwood, but that cat pee smell is a total turnoff! Having previously had a cat that had bathroom problems towards the end of his days, my nose is "always on the sniff-out" for that dreaded smell. Only recently did I discover that Boxwood is the culprit for that smell in my current front yard, and it's not because some tom-cat got extra happy with my shrubbery! And thank you thank you thank you for your suggestions on deer resistant shrubbery! I think I also read that boxwood is a good choice to keep them from snacking on my yard, so I think I can get over the smell so long as it looks pretty ;-) The slow-growing part totally makes sense, as 3 years ago, a friend of mine accidentally backed in to one of my bushes with a big old truck and took out a few branches. Those suckers STILL haven't filled back in completely! Teacats, thank you for your suggestions, especially with your thoughts on drainage! My property is near the top of a hill, as you can tell, the ground slopes down on the left, so I definitely want to make sure I do everything in my power to keep that water moving on down the hill away from me! I also want to make sure anything I do, I do correctly (I'm a stickler for details like that), so yes, YouTube will be my friend! You're also right, that window does "float". I don't want to block the light coming in with something that may get huge, but perhaps something green and off to the side with a little bit of height will do the trick? Also, AMEN to the walkway to the driveway! Once I pull the beds out a little more, a path to frame the edge will serve nicely! I should mention we are talking about possibly moving the driveway to the other (right) side of the front yard (long term). We want to expand to a 2 car driveway and the street utility cleanout thingamabobbers come in right next to the current driveway, so we need to weigh the costs of working around/with those utilities vs moving the driveway across the yard to the right side of the house. Either way, that path to the existing driveway will be well-served as at the end of the current driveway is the path to go back to the back yard. So regardless of whether the driveway stays or moves, I'll still need that path! Msjay2u, GREAT observation! That roofline doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room for an easy portico! I'm sure there's a way, but as cost is a factor, that project is definitely filed under "long term". I REALLY appreciate the time you took on giving me some inspiration photos! You're right, I can mirror the look of raised beds with some smart plantings (my wallet thanks you, lol!) and OH, all those luscious blooms are making me swoon!!! You've got me worried now, though! I've never looked at wall-mounted mailboxes before and it sounds like I'm in for quite the search! It's a happy worry, though! Mtnrdedux, you've hit the nail on the head: off with the bay shutters and break up that brick with plantings! Around the corner from the left side of the house is my AC, so if I play my cards wisely, I may be able to find something substantial that serves triple duty - conceals some of the brick, softens the corner AND hides the AC from the street! Gotta be careful that I don't end up with a huge, hot mess in a few years though! Jterrilynn, I looooooove looking at houses with all sorts of interesting trim work! Nice, beefy windows, pretty molding at the eaves - i positively swoon for architectural details like that! I'd love to have the opportunity to incorporate some interesting details like that in my front facade! I especially thank you for taking the time to do the mockup for me! That brick path is a stunner and really draws your eyes to the front door while the soft green fades to the background - very nicely done! All those little plantings you included reinforce the fact that I'm going to need a LOT of hand holding to help make everything look purposeful without being too fussy! To top it off, all those brass accents really look classy! I never in a million years would have thought about a brass kickplate on my own! That's just one of those details that really pulls it all together, yet was never on my radar (before today) ;-) Madeyna, thank you for popping back in to my thread! You're the second person to mention a camellia, so I think I have some research ahead of me! Do you know anything about whether they are a "snack of choice" for my four-legged, deer-shaped companions? I'd love something that makes a statement in that corner! Your windowbox ideas are super cute as well! I mentioned to someone else I'm a little worried about the height of what I put in those boxes, as my casement windows still need to open, so the thought of something low growing and easy to maintain like hens and chicks or structural like low rocks and driftwood, perhaps also with something kinda "droopy" and trailing down, may be just what I need to keep my windows openable and enjoyable from all perspectives!! Phew, that was a TON of typing... I need a snack now! You guys are wonderful, and I thank you for your continued support and guidance!

The SF Bay area means you are in Zone 10 in a micro climate. From the way the shadows are in the photos it looks like your home has a southern exposure (Correct?) which will affect the plants you choose. Keep in mind that just as there are decorating *trends* in interior decorating there are also trends in garden and landscaping design. You want your planting to match your home's style AND not look "dated" or out of place. For instance, Bridal Wreath, Roses, and Peonies look great in front of a Victorian but just do not 'go' with a ranch. You want to stick with the trends that were popular at the time the home was built, like Hosta, Evergreens, Ferns and other plants with insignificant flowering. The trend put more emphasis on leaf shape, texture and color tone. Those Evergreens in front of the house that are so huge were probably planted when the home was built and surrounded with such plants. Nor do you want your new plantings to look "dated" by doing an '80s trend of Stella d'Oro and the like. It would be like putting 'geese with bonnets' teal and dusty rose, wallpaper in your new kitchen. It looks dated, and does not go with a vintage ranch home either. I hope I am explaining this right. With the southern exposure your home has and the fact that is is in zone ten you want to be sure you have the right plantings. Nothing is worse than seeing Hosta suffering under the sun gasping for life with their crispy edges. It makes a house look dreary. I would embrace your ranch home styling and not try to make it into a cottage or try to give it 'Southern Charm' or anything. It's the 'silk purse/sows ear, thing'. They still build ranches today. Just update the look with simple things like removing the diamond grill from the windows on the right, changing the shutters, ect. A new single door will help the place lose the 'hacienda' look the double doors give it. If you have the budget for it, a new garage door with horizontal windows would break up the big flat look it has, and help with the smooth horizontal flow the lines the look of the home has. Ripping out the overgrown Evergreen on the left will make the place seem more welcoming. I think the ones on the right can stay if they are manicured and then bring the bed out further with low plantings.

Mrs. Applegate, I am sorry you did not get the input you needed. And the input you did get is extremely questionable. One of the primary issues with this forum is that many of those offering advice have no experience in landscape design and not enough plant or horticultural experience to be giving out advice. Especially in parts of the country they are not familiar with. Moving your Japanese maple now has very likley sealed its fate.....possibly the worst time of year you could have done so. btw, many cultivars of Japanese maples are able to grow in full sun, with red leaved dissectums like your Crimson Queen prime among them. And you certainly do not want to plant a silver maple!! They are almost weed trees, get huge rapidly (50'+ and with an equal canopy spread), have a very surface oriented and aggressive root system that can interfere with driveways and sidewalks as well as any underplantings and they are weak wooded and prone to storm breakage. A really poor choice for a suburban garden regardless of location. FWIW, you would be much better off visiting a local garden center and asking for help. Quite possibly they have a staff designer or at the very least, someone who can help you pick plants appropriate to your location and setting. The recommendations and advice you have received here are pretty much a joke.....sorry.