skip to main content

Landscape Design Design Dilemma

Landscape Layout Help for 70s Colonial in Zone 4b

6 years ago

Hi all. I am hoping to get some foundation landscaping advice from the great minds here on the forums. Our home's front yard is mostly sloped, but there is about 8' from the porch of flat ground for a new landscape design. The right side is about 13' of length, and the right about 18'. We will be ripping out all of the old shrubs when the ground thaws a bit more. The precast steps on the left will be removed, and the entry door on the left will be converted to a window (as part of a kitchen expansion). We would also like to put a railing on the porch. The right side does drop off to a retaining wall, which begins our neighbor's driveway. Our home faces east.

The first three photos show the front of the house with a center view, left, and right angle. I stood on a large snow bank to get these shots, so the slope is slightly minimized.

The next photos show a bit more of the slope and the angles up close.

Finally, here is a photo from a distance during the summer. As you can see, we have removed most of the old foundation shrubs, as well as the lamppost and its evergreen shrub.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
6 years ago
some ideas
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
"there is about 8' from the porch of flat ground for a new landscape design."

I see an issue here that I don't think has been thought through. By removing the steps to the left of the porch, you need a new walkway across the front of the house. A comfortable walkway is going to need to be a minimum of 4' wide to not look or feel severely undersized and with a house and yard the size of yours, 5' would be better, which only leaves you with about 2'-3' of planting room if the plants won't be right up against the porch or spilling into the walkway. If you move your walkway a bit further from the house, you will need to deal with the slope, but it will give you a more reasonably sized planting bed and might improve access to the walkway if cars are ever parked in the drive.

I don't know what your budget is, but this might be a situation where getting a professional on site will result in a much more useful and aesthetically pleasing solution. The current snowy photos (or in fact most photos) make it difficult to evaluate the actual grade and how the plan will need to be adjusted to accommodate the contours of your lot. If this plan is strictly DYI, you could put a 5' wide walkway close to the house and then put in a planting bed a bit further down the slope and a simple groundcover along the walkway down to the planting bed. If the planting bed is filled with relatively low plants, you will still have good sight lines to the front door and steps. Be sure to make a landing at the base of the steps up the center of the porch.
Related Discussions
Pics of small ranch houses (60s or 70s) that look great inside?
Q
Comments (42)
We also have a plain vanilla ranch built in 1950. It was never MCM nor any style. It was just churned out as a tract home. The basic layout of bedrooms and living space was ok, but we opened the wall between the kitchen and living room, extended and moved the kitchen so the old kitchen is half of the new one and partly as our new main level laundry room. The rest of the kitchen is part of the extension and is adjacent to the new den we added on. Due to budget constraints, we only cathedraled the new extensions' ceilings and the master bedroom ceiling was vaulted as we extended there too. Where we did not raise the ceilings we added in skylights and a 5ft eyebrow window in the front of the house, boxed in like a skylight (and we have a skylight over the den up high). The greater amount of natural light is fabulous and it feels so much more spacious with the openings for the skylights and eyebrow window. We had hated the all low ceilings when we moved in. Our previous house had vaulted and cathedral ceilings over the living spaces and it was hard to adjust to low and flat. I truly think that being able to raise the ceilings and/or use skylights is one of the best features about a ranch. Since the house was built with little style and updated with no style either (unless cheap and ugly are styles, lol), we felt free to create our own vibe. We went for retro modern with a 40s feel. What a modern person would have done prior to MCM is how I'd describe it. It has some deco feel to it but the lines are simple and not ornate. Crown moldings would not have worked, so we have done simpler ones. We chose modest looking but well designed materials. No one would ever think it is fancy or frilly. We wanted clean lines but not sharp edges. It is supposed to feel homey and unassuming. Like a well worn pair of jeans that fit well. We want guests to feel at home. If you come up with your own style mission statement you can check your choices against it. At one point, we fell in love with white marble and wanted that for our counters. Then one day, we figured out it went against all our other choices and was too elegant. We ended up with Corian in their Rain Cloud pattern, which mimics the feel of a white marble, but is not trying to fake anyone out. It has a softness to the look but with all straight lines and an eased edge profile, it looks neat. We ended up with Carrera marble in our master bathroom for the counter and in the faux rug part of our floor. That space is meant to be more grown up and fancy since it is our private space and not designed for the kids. The veins that make it great there would have been too busy for the kitchen. If we had gone for another look, I'd have loved to use the marble as I usually drool when I see it used anywhere. If I ever do a kitchen again, I would want qs oak with white marble or some other medium toned stained wood. The door style would be different as well. We are happy with our vision and how the look has turned out (the gc screwed us on condition, but that will be fixed, someday). It is not plain vanilla any more! Our house looks like no other in our area and I dare say, it is now one of a kind. Hopefully, you find your groove and your end result reflects your style and vision, and makes you smile too ;)
...See More
70's split facelift...help...please!
Q
Comments (34)
Okay, I didn't take time but to scan the replies, but didn't see that anyone mentioned screening in the covered porch on the left. It would be quite easy to do so using the ScreenTight system. Just frame above the bricks with two by fours then add the system linked below. We did this to our front porch and it's the best thing we ever did. Not only does it work great for humans, but our pets love having access to the "outside" world while still being kept safe from all that's outdoors. I also want to add my vote to NOT paint the brick, keep shutters and if your garage doors are in good working condition I'd check and see the arches are removable before buying a new garage door. There are faux techniques to change the look further too. Here is a link that might be useful: ScreenTight
...See More
Seeking layout help for kitchen remodel/expansion
Q
Comments (7)
Little bit of commentary explaining some thoughts. And that's all these are. The number below are the numbers on the pic. 1. I'm guessing you wouldn't be talked outta those stairs, but that's an alternative - do a doorway in the living room into "closet" of laundry hall. 2. I did show this alternative - kill the inside basement stairs and move the ref to this wall. There's likely 101 reasons you wouldn't like this, but its a really GREAT place for the ref. I think I can hear your screams of "Nooo!" all the way in Baltimore. 3. Aisle widths. Aisles are measured counter to counter. Roughly a counter on a base cabinet on a wall is 25" to 26" deep. An island with one row of cabinetry is usually at least 29" wide at the counter level - this includes a panel on the backs of the cabinets and appropriate overhangs. If You use a tall bank of either shelving or closed cabinets that are 12" deep, your two aisles are about 39". The current recommended minimum aisle is 42" (It changed several years ago - I think partly on account of tall tub dishwashers and 36" wide refrigerators). If you try to have full depth cabinets(25" at the counter) or even a counter depth refrigerator(~28" w/handles) on the opposite wall with the island, both your aisles go down to 31"-33". They might be less depending on "stuff" like how plumb the room is, the exact depth of the ref, etc. That can feel kinda small. You should be able to move something into your existing kitchen to lower the aisle space to try it. 4. Table space. Concerned about the choice of table, simultaneous use of the table and back door, etc. With a 2 foot wide table, with no one occupying the table, it will be 4.5 feet wide and the table edge should be 30" from the wall or 5.2ish feet. When occupied, the wall side has enough space for a seated person(24" beyond the table edge), but when someone sits on the door side, the total width is 6 feet - all the space there is. Assuming that you guys or your friends may not be perfect about tucking in chairs, think about doing either a banquette or purchasing a dining bench for the side up against the wall. It helps with spacing, but might drive you nutz in alignment to the window and wall area. So if you put the bench under the window and run the table in the other direction? 5. Consider moving the range (sorry for calling it a rangetop) closer to the sink and island. I know somebody is thinking about prep between sink and range, but you're more likely to prep on end of island. It's less effort for getting pots full of water and dumping them. 6. Consider a fold-up or drop-in counter to be used only when you need some extra space instead of slightly blocking the stairs all the time.
...See More
Help with BORING 70's ranch exterior in PNW
Q
Comments (18)
The areas between the windows would be excellent places to add tall flowering or evergreen shrubs to soften the squareness of the house. They could help put emphasis /focus on the house, rather than the yard or imperfections elsewhere. So I mean centered between the two windows on the left, and also centred either sides of the large window. Don't plant them too close to the foundation as you want them to have room to grow. I don't know what things grow well in your area (I'm only zone 4B) or what sort of sun exposure this side of the house gets. If you have southern or western exposure anything that enjoys the full sun would be great - tall ish roses, rose of sharon (hibiscus syriacus) are some that come to mind. If the exposure is northern or eastern perhaps rhododendron or tall hydrangeas of your choice. You may want to consult neighbours or the other forums for suggestions of what type of shrubs would grown best in your type of climate and humidity. You could also consider putting a trellis between the two small windows and planting clematis or another type of vine, or a climbing rose. There are loads of climbing roses to choose from that don't need any winter protection even in my zone 4B so you would likely have much more choice in your area. I don't really understand what the fence is for if you are not containing animals or children for a daycare. I imagine who ever put it up had a reason, please tell me what it is and we can discuss it further. Is there something you need to keep off the front yard that is threatening it without a fence? If there isn't - It is very distracting and draws the attention away from the house and anything pretty you put behind it. If it was a short picket fence or something it might be different, but chain link looks so institutional, not welcoming. Used to separate your property from your neighbour is one thing, especially in the back yard, but it's a very different effect in the front yard lining as you drive by. I read "dog kennels" or "institution", not "welcome to our home". If you insist that you need a fence for some logical reason, state it and exactly which sides need it then the options for replacement (type of fence, type of hedge, alternate dividing or screening material etc.) will be more clear, As to the color of the house I see no problem. It's like a classic black dress - it's a great clean canvas. It just needs some accessories in the way of plants. flowering shrubs, perhaps some balls of evergreen suitable for your climate to keep the eye focused on the house. Certainly a small tree as suggested above would also add some warmth and charm.
...See More
Rachel
Original Author
6 years ago
@NHBabs, your observation is spot on. We do intend to extend the level ground a bit more and move the walkway out further, so the plantings aren't reduced to a single file. I would really like to incorporate layers of tallest to shortest. I am not sure whether to use analogous, complementary, or monochromatic colors for blooms. What do you use for your foundation shrubs for structure? I was thinking about a broad-leafed evergreen such as rhododendron.

@Doug Thank you for the thoughtful design! I like the flowing curvature of the right and left side plantings. At the current time I won't be bringing the landscaping away from the house and down the slope, as my young children sled down it during the winter. And since our winters are so long and the snow so plentiful, it's a good space to play.
Rachel
Original Author
5 years ago
Hi all. Now that the snow is melted, I wanted to post some pictures of our house in spring time. We will be adjusting the grade so there is more planting area before the slope, and allow us to push down and widen the walkway. We will also be removing the side steps (door to be converted to window next week). I'm still a little stumped on how to improve the curb appeal, especially in terms of foundation shrub selection. Would love any additional input. Thanks in advance!
JaydeD
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Rachel, did you complete your project? I am in a similar zone and with a similar problem, having recently purchased a home with neglected foundation plantings that needed removal. In fact, our home is a pale golden beige color almost yellow as well. Our foundation is part to mostly shaded by the hime and nearby trees. I’m considering rosy pink and pinkish-red flowers to contrast with the home color as most other colors wash out against it or clash horribly, and becpause most shade-tolerant flowers seem to be pale yellow, white, pink or blue. as I‘d love to see how your walkway turned out!

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Ideas: Playing With a Colonial’s Floor Plan

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Make small changes or go for a total redo to make your colonial work better for the way you live

HOUZZ TOURS New Layout and More Light for a Family’s 1940s Ranch House

By Becky Harris

A Los Angeles designer reconfigures a midcentury home and refreshes its decor

GARDENING GUIDES 4 Things You Should Do for a Healthier Landscape

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s worth rethinking some common planting practices and instead following nature’s lead

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Save Your Budget With These 4 Landscape Design Strategies

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Understanding your soil, your plants and your site can help you save money and reap big rewards

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Uncovering History in an 1800s Colonial

By Vanessa Brunner

Brick features from long ago return to prominence, but a raised ceiling and newly open layout set them squarely in the now

KITCHEN WORKBOOK New Ways to Plan Your Kitchen’s Work Zones

By LWK London Kitchens

The classic work triangle of range, fridge and sink is the best layout for kitchens, right? Not necessarily

FLOWERS AND PLANTS This Sunny Yellow Flower Helps Fall Pollinators and Landscapes

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Oligoneuron riddellii’s distinct grass-like leaves and bright flowers jazz up the garden in the upper Midwest and Central Plains

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Renovations Modernize a 1970s New Jersey Colonial

By Becky Harris

Better access to a great yard, an opened-up interior and family-friendly features improved this home for a Princeton family

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Storage Galore in a 1920s Colonial

By Mitchell Parker

Pullouts, slots, special drawers and more — this customized kitchen packs in plenty of organizing solutions

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can these be saved?

10

What happened to my oakleaf hydrangea?

5

May blooms - matching fragrant star azalea

0

how to fix brick patio

1

Need help with landscaping ideas

0