Would it be possible to get a pic of the entire house from straight on? That way we could make changes to show you examples.

I will take another one tomorrow that is straight on. This is all I have for now.

Cool House. It is going to be amazing when you're through with it!

All I can say is I have Rock People in my family so even though I am not one myself, I can fully understand why all those rocks are there. I would start calling around to local landscape places, gravel pits, etc to try to get leads on how you can dispose of these and whether anyone can use them. You could even try posting them on craigslist or buy and sell sites. If all else fails, make piles of similar size and shapes and put a FREE sign on them out by the road. Really. Rock People will always covet cool rocks.

Can you remove the diamond grids from the windows?

That one “rock” near the door looks like one our neighbor has to cover a utility box. Some of the others make me wonder if they were addressing a drainage issue. That red bridge looks like it may be going over a drain pipe. Have you had any big rains since you’ve moved in? Are there gutters and downspouts?

Once you figure out the drainage, I’d get a good landscape plan. You may be able to sell those rocks.

Your lot could be a good candidate for a cottage garden, if you like that style.

This front door area really concerns me.... how can I make this better? Ideas?

Power wash the whole area, remove the white railing and then address the walkway and stoop. Maybe you can use slate or brick in place of the red paint. Remove the screen door and paint or replace the main door.

It's very possible that scrubbing with a stiff brush would take away the brick discoloration. To me it just looks like splashed up dirt. If you use a power washer, be careful not to damage the brick.

Can you remove the diamond panes from the door? Or remove the curly edge from the screen door? I'd also remove the decor items from around the door.

Whatever the red is, you can cover it temporarily with a square of indoor-outdoor carpet in a dark color, until you have all your walkways and drainage figured out.

I like your ideas... I want to remove the curly stuff and replace the screen door.. etc. We will try the power washer.... and perhaps consider painting the house another color.....

The rocky yard may be a first on Houzz. As others have said, drainage is crucial. Have you been through a long rain yet? It's very useful to have photos of the yard showing where the puddles form.

I would start by gathering up all the wood and plastic yard decorative items. Pick any you want to stay, then give away the rest. Now you just have rocks.

A lot of rock people collect rocks from all over, but landscapers usually favor local rocks when they plan a naturalistic landscape. The lava rocks are probably not local, so start with marking them with post-its or flags and counting them up. Do you love them? They can be sold if you don't want them.

Corralling gravel is hard work. You can decide if you want to install new edging along the pathways, then confine the gravel to the paths.

My guess is you need gutters to collect the water off the mansard roof and direct it to the other end of your property. The stains near your door are from water splashing up.

Can almost guarantee that the other oddities were the prior owners dealing (improperly) with water puddling near the entry. You may also need a French drain. Once you have dealt with that you can work on your landscaping.

A nice front door, without screen door, would dress up your entry. Look at fiberglass ones, as they are insulated and hold up to the weather.

But deal with the drainage first.

Determining whether your yard has a drainage issue comes first. If you have to wait a year and observe the yard through the seasons, so be it. Place a large sign out front, "Free Rocks - Sat 9 to noon" (also post on Craig's List) and let the interested parties haul them from where they sit. It will take several weeks but, most of them will find new homes.

Thanks... both very useful and practical plans for me to put into action. My husband and I are very grateful for the input... I am realizing now more than ever about the drainage issue... hence the placement of the rocks and gravel per se... I do like some of the larger rocks... and may move them into the back yard where a koi pond outline was made with more of the lava rocks... and where water would be for the koi pond... they placed 100's and 100's of small flat charcoal gray oval shaped stones. They sure did love their rocks!! I had thought since the couple passed in their 90's that perhaps the rocks were a way to prevent mowing... but there are patches of grass throughout... as you have observed in my pictures... but these patches of grass will be impossible to mow with a mower because of all the rocks bordering them. I believe that the drainage is more of the reason at stake that the rocks were strewn throughout the yard... It's going to be a big endeavor... but I'm up for the task... I was just sharing some of these ideas with my husband who is also scratching his head in regards to what to do first.... He is totally on board with getting gutters on this mansard roof... and then as many of you have said... we will go from there with the drainage issues... I can't relay to all of you how much we appreciate the knowledge and ideas... I'm dying to get rid of the old door and replace with new and get at the entrance area.... but first things first.... the drainage area ... and then the decor...

Rome wasn't built in a day.... the above post above mine has a good point... it may take some time to observe and see what is up with the drainage... And although it isn't the prettiest to look at currently.... I am looking forward also to seeing what vegetation blooms and flourishes this spring and into summer. As much work as you see in these photos that we have to do on the outside is 3fold on the inside.... so it will definitely not be a problem to fixiate on the interior before perfecting our exterior....

What geographical or geological area are you in, roughly?

The lava rocks were popular in the 1960's when people wanted a touch of the exotic.

The wishing well was more of a 1950's -1960's thing. The tops were usually screened to prevent pennies, gum, rocks, little green army men, and other things from being dropped in by neighborhood kids (wishing wells attract kids like magnets). Some were planted with cascades of annual flowers, like the sellers' wine barrel near the window. http://www.amazinginteriordesign.com/10-creative-garden-wishing-well-ideas-home/

In my area, the smooth flat charcoal rocks 2-3 inches in size are sold as Japanese pebbles or Mexican beach pebbles, depending on origin. They were popular at the same time as lava rocks, and of course you can buy them today.

Some people build water features with pebbles, so they get the gurgling sound of water without the drowning risk.

Thanks... good to know... We live in northern Illinois not too far from Chicago

Here are some of back yard too for anyone that is curious... Yes... more rocks but I can see it’s potential when we revive the koi pond... someday.

You have your work cut out for you! Don't forget the power of paint for things that might work if they weren't bright red.

Take comfort that, unlike some Houzz dilemmas, no-one will look at your "after" pictures and think that the "before" looked better!

Was that window on the front left originally a garage? That could explain some of the landscape.

Personally, I wouldn't be in a hurry to dispose of any of the rocks...I would start by editing out what I hated first. Is it the gravel? Then that goes first. Starting with a clean slate is great, but sometimes you end up having to buy those things back that you got rid of. That goes for the plants too.

So, Craigslist the most despised....then have another look...then get rid of the next...then have a look...repeat...

Stuff that stays doesn't necessarily have to be in it's final place...

Cute house and many congratulations...

Thank you so much, pennydesign. I like that idea... to give it time... All these things...is what will eventually make it feel like our home. :0)

latifolia.... I wonder if that wasn't a garage, too. It seems like the right dimensions... and that room inside the house doesn't seem like the rest of the house... it almost feels like a small addition.

partim... Good point... We have no where to go except up. Anything will be an improvement... but boy... is it going to take some time. :0)

Have you considered hiring a landscape architect to come over for a consultation? That is an awful lot of lava rock. If there's an old established garden center or quarry nearby, someone there might remember the owners.

The Chicago area has quite a few different kinds of rock naturally.

I kind of like the idea of a dry creek bed...although yours need to be redone badly..as it's not pleasing at all (no offense) Plus they're great if used to divert water away from the gutters...

Will you be keeping the fish pond?

Maybe you could just have an area in the back to "store" all the things you're not sure about (extra rocks and gravel and temp. plant homes)...