This picture illustrates a few changes that you might explore. (The hillside planting is still too busy for my tastes; I'm just playing with what you already have.) My railing isn't a perfect copy of what you have, but you get the idea. Don't know what would be the best tree for you. Something like Arbutus might be a possibility. Surely, there are trees you've seen there that you'd welcome into your front yard. You could get some local advice on that. If your retaining wall is in "healthy" condition, you might explore the idea of modifying portions of it for improved appearance, rather than replacing the whole wall. For example, its saw-tooth edge could be altered so that each elevation runs for several feet before dropping to the next lower level. Each level could turn at 90* (as per the left side of drive) for a much more substantial looking wall. At the right side of drive I'm trying to show if the corner were rebuilt as a radius corner instead of 90* where the drive meets the public walk. (Or, consider a 45* bevel at the corners.) Another thing I'd look into is facing the wall with artificial stone for a much improved appearance. If that's out of the budget, then painting it a darker, stone-like appearing color instead of stark white I think would help a lot. I also like plants that drape over its top edge. Also, you might tweak the house paint scheme. I think a slightly darker body color might show off the white trim to better advantage. And maybe a little less busy scheme at the garage door would be an improvement. Those are just some ideas you might consider. You ask about removing earth to make the yard less mound-like. I can't see how that's a possibility unless you were to remove those extra retained areas that sit inside of your main retaining wall. You must have earth that connects the upper level to the lower level. There doesn't seem to be any surplus beyond what you need to accomplish that (except those retained areas mentioned.) This post was edited by Yardvaark on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 10:29

Post this on Home Decorating and Design, with a little more information about what colors you like and some close up pictures if you have them.

You will get more responses if you post a picture.

Those white painted rocks in the pics above make the house look like its made of marshmallow fluff! Not a good look. OP, Im willing to bet that those rocks are on the front only, am I right? Usually I argue in favor of saving original house parts but i have to say, the 50s thing for attaching fake rocks or brick veneer to the front only (like we cant see the sides??) is really annoying. Take it off! (Be sure to post after pics). Glad the tree is staying. Its not that close, and looks to be in good shape - a good tree adds value to a house. When the time comes redoing your front beds and adding a snazzy new door will add much more appeal.