Tony, i would agree with you in principle that gardens and more garden space are important to people who like to garden, but we are not the majority in today's real estate market. I guess I am lucky in one respect to live in such a tightly regimented politically correct town such as the People's Republic of Berkeley, in that the zoning controls and design review ordinances are so tightly drawn that they mostly favor existing structures over new construction. Due to this fact, there are very few McMansions being built here, and although some tear downs do occur, they usually involve keeping 90% of the existing perimeter stud walls and footprint to avoid having to go before design review. As I work alot with contractors and developers, I know the drill when it comes to avoiding headaches here in Berkeley. On the other hand, there is absolutely no requirement to submit landscape plans for approval when doing such a quasi-teardown. I compare this situation to marvelous Marin County, which Michelle Dervis would always complain that you can't fart without getting a permit first. I relish the relative freedom to be creative without having to jump through all those hoops. I also agree with the poster about how difficult it would be to live within a planned unit development which spells out what color to paint your house, or what trees to plant. Just a little too rigid for my tastes, although I have certainly designed and have seen built enough such projects that I had a hand in. I would also greatly enjoy the luxury of not looking at my neighbor's house just 8 feet away, but such is life. Such close living forces one to become more creative about planting for density and screening for privacy, while not blocking one's or neighbor's sunlight. House remodeling to add double pane windows are a nice bonus to keeping outside noise outside, or Chaka Kahn at high volume from bothering the neighbors. I don't think I have ever lived anywhere, either here in California or overseas where I had the luxury of real space to garden, so I don't miss it. I would however, miss being able to enjoy being outside in the garden year round, and winters where nothing was actively growing or blooming. I should correct that last, I wouldn't really miss not having winters at all... What does all this blather have to do with the topic at hand? Just that population trends seem to agree with my personal situation, in that high density occurs where the climate is more pleasant year round, or where the cultural possibilities and scenery cause people to pick up and leave home to try living there, wherever "there" may be. Part of my personal mission is to make each client's "there" a little more like a private oasis or sanctuary, to compensate for the nonexistent elbow room between neighbors. My own backyard is such a jungle of vegetation from around the world, that I don't even see the adjoining two story apartment building anymore, although I do have to compete with these neighbors for on-street parking and all the public transit people who park in front of my house each weekday in order to take BART to the city. Still, it is still possible to park within a 100 yards of my house, as compared to living in San Francisco...

I agree, not white trim. It's far prettier as it is (and would also be far prettier with a green or mustard) than it would be with white. Just because some neighbors have white trim is no reason to do the same. You're after curb appeal for your house, not matching the neighbors' houses. Also, if you painted it white, you would lose the impact of those very very pretty upper windows on the right. The stiles in the windows stand out because they are much DARKER than the blind behind them. They're very pretty and very "period." You can't leave them dark and paint everything else white, it would look strange. And if you paint everything a light color, you lose the visual impact of the window stiles (unless you put in black blinds, haha, but I'm assuming you're not going to do that). Whatever you do, make sure the window treatment in those windows makes a strong contrast with those stiles, so that they continue to stand out. What jumps out at me as a thing to improve is the porch surface. It's too bright for the house--it looks brand new and generic, which detracts from the bungalow look. The link below is to a random stone supplier whose website happens to show a lot of different outdoor stone surfaces; something like that could really add to the bungalow look, the period look, and thus the curb appeal. I totally agree with Columbusguy on the flowers and the small tree. Depending on your climate, a redbud or a dwarf Japanese maple might be just the ticket. Here is a link that might be useful: Stone surfaces for porch

Columbus guy: This is great I'm getting lots of pointers here. I'll definately consider the green, as it's my favorite color and has a yellow undertone. Slate berry- yes lighting is also on the list. I'd like to have some carriage lights flanking the main door. It's got one light there now (u can't see it from the pics) but it isn't too attractive lol. As for boxes, that's a consideration but I also live on the end of a dead end street with only 2 other houses (next door and across the street). I'd put some railings up so it won't be "totally" open. The back steps- well, they are made from a different brick then the rest of the house that don't match (I'm told it's sewer brick, as it does not hold water). They're way too small- there used to be a screen door there but I removed it, as you'd have to back down the steps in order to open the door. They will be removed when I put up a deck there. Karin L- I'm starting to zero in on what colors I think I'll like- either a creamy white (which may be too similar to my neighbors), dark yellow or a green. The house faces South West. So the trees do provide shade in the summer. Yes there are 3 large maples on this yard. The other 2 don't bother me so much as they're off to the side and not heaving the sidewalk. I think this tree is not going to grow any more though. I will get some quotes to see how much it'll cost to take down the tree. Too bad there weren't any power lines above it or I could probably have the utility company do it lol. If I were to do a curving sidewalk- I'd do something like this, after I'd clear out the bushes, make the steps and the area beneath wider. I think that would be far away enough that heaving shouldn't be a problem in the forseeable future.

If I was working on a small budget I would go to a plant nursery when they aren't busy, early on a weekday I guess, I'd take a picture or some pictures of my yard, and a chart of the sun. By the sun I mean a chart where the sun hits or doesn't hit the spaces you want to plant, the different areas of your yard. I'd ask if they have someone to help you, preferably a landscape architect, and you'll probably have some great help. You'll have to be very clear that you are doing the work yourself rather than hiring it done. Don't go to a big box store but to a local plant nursery. However, my local nursery is very busy this time of year, so you may have a terrible time with finding someone to help you right now. Your home is very pretty and good luck with finding someone to help you. There are many garden tours this time of year so you may be able to find what you like on a garden tour. Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a tour Mother's Day Weekend I think. A local garden tour would be great too. I'd ask about one in Decatur, or somewhere like that. Good luck.