How about this sketch for a layout view? Overhead view I'm interested in how to pull the landscape out into the front yard without hiding the house. I had not planned on an entry walk out to the boulders, since there is little to no likelihood of someone approaching our door from the road. There are no shoulders, much less sidewalks. Plus, the pictures may not show it well, but there is an elevation change between the front yard and driveway. The dark mulched area along the driveway plus another few feet in width (about 8 ft total) is sloped, enough so that it's difficult to mow. I plan on making that a four-season mixed border. Now a path to and through the front yard is not something I would reject. Miss rumphius, are you proposing it to be a "strolling path", with the functional approach being to the concrete slab area?

Love your entry!! A while ago I remember someone entering a post with brick and travertine mixed on an outside patio entertainment area and front entry.The poster had flagstone on steps with bullnosed brick edging the steps. They had found great colors that flowed together It was very pretty and the textures worked well. If you do a search on outside entertainment areas maybe you will find it. That said, I agree with squirrel that the stone on the columns wouldn't be the right fit. I would stick with the wood columns, and if a change is desired maybe change the look with simple detailing. Love the retaining wall! Where is it in proximity to the front of your house?

Thanks everyone:) We're happy that it is more inviting as it's been opened up. The overgrown shrubs needed to go...will likely plant some boxwood later. rob33- yes, it's really that portion under the columns that is crumbly (and crummy) looking. Great point that we should just cover with seasonal planters until we fix/ do some landscaping in the spring. We will also be doing something with our columns to spruce them up.... Seasonal fir planters are just a few weeks away:)....

I had 24” square pavers at my mid mod house with roughly 4” between them. The front was a large terrace that spanned the front of the house and connected to the driveway with grass between the Stones. The rear of the house we had pebbles between the stones. The grass required lots of edging, the pebbles were a total pita that I would be unlikely to do again- constant use of a leaf blower to keep all the leaves and bits out of the pebbles.