While I think that the "FAQ" as outlined by swanoir was presented tongue in cheek ('the humus'), many of the subsequent comments and/or links to threads that could/should be included in a FAQ were presented in a more serious tone. And maybe they do make sense as a foundation to a real LD forum FAQ. But I've also sensed something else in these comments that may contribute to the apparent lack of communication between new posters seeking advice and those that regularly frequent this forum and offer it. And that is that the long checklist provided by Miss R must be (or should be) answered in detail before posting. Well, of course not! But it is definitely something worth reviewing and giving some thought to. This checklist, or something very similar, is what most designers utilize when first meeting with a prospective client. It gives them a feeling for what the client wants to do with the property, how they intend to use it, what they hope to get out of it and how much effort (time/$$) are they are intending to put into it. Hopefully, reviewing an outline or checklist such as this could help to refine and focus some of those blank slate questions and even educate those new posters totally unfamiliar with the process the degree of complexity, the number of variables and exactly what is involved in the formulation of a landscape design. Even DIY landscape texts intended for the homeowner with no previous design or landscaping experience offer similar checklists to get one started thinking about the process. Obviously, this is overkill for those questions that are more issue-specific, but I think very appropriate for those that are much broader and far less focused.

It is just hard for me to imagine...my builder was soooo careful to explain things to me that might be aesthetically irritating, and tried to mitigate. He explained all of the air return locations and made sure I was ok with them, and he even made sure I knew that the glass in our custom door would have those tiny little "tempered glass" engravings in the corner of every pane....didn't want me caught off-guard. I absolutely cannot imagine a builder that could put the electrical box by the front door and not realize it would look terrible and pi$$ the owner off. At the least, he should have warned them when presenting the bid that it would look like that and would cost x$ more to move BEFORE they signed. My builder would be embarrassed having his name on a house where the electrical box was next to the front door. That is crazy.

You say this is back left corner ... so you're either on a corner lot or something else is up ...? The pictures you're submitting are for gardening. If you want pictures for landscaping you need to go out into the street and take pictures looking back toward your property. From exactly one point of view, do a sweep with the camera taking slightly overlapping pictures until we can see how your house fits into the picture. How are you going to plant ornamental grass and then a tree right next to it? The grass will need lots of sun and the tree will prevent it.

Aha I see where you're coming from - you are making it better, keep that in mind! Very sorry if I sounded preachy, its because so often people take away the cool old features, then wonder why its lost its charm I like your sketch - not the black and white necessarily, but it shows how unified color CAN pull it together. The other thing is the door. Youve got the right idea in the sketch with the single horizontal window - Or maybe think about one of these - http://retrorenovation.com/2014/07/22/4-places-buy-midcentury-entry-doors-home/  I like the ones w 3 horizontal windows (like in top row or under #8) and also the ones with 3 diamond shaped windows - those are simple, but would add a lot of style. You might be able to find something similar in your local Restore or architectural salvage. Dont do a door that might look cottagey or craftsman ... or anything from this century from off the shelf from a big box store.... or it will just add more visual chaos, not unify. The door is your one chance to make an architectural statement that gives it a touch of class and charm. Just keep it simple. As others have said, keep the paint colors simple - youve already got enough going on. Can the windows be painted? What color is roof?