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Exterior Design Dilemma Landscape Design

Help me update my hardscape/landscaping for my ranch-styled hom

2 years ago

Hi houzzers!!! So I’d like to change my paved entry and side yard of my home. It is pretty underwhelming, but there are so many options!!! I have a ranch styled home (California) and I would like to possibly add a nice paver walk path to the front door. I think the planter beds should come out too, but can anyone help with a nice layout for me???? Our side yards are primarily grass, and I would like to

Pave the side yard/backyard
Redo the pavement in the backyard (oudated)
Eventually add a nice pergola in the backyard instead of that tin metal covering ….

Please give me some ideas …..love ya!!!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
This is one of my faves for MCM landscaping and BTW too much paving is always a bad idea and please reove those shutters they do not belong on those windows I aslo think anything but baby blue for the siding but that is my personal dislike of most baby blue houses.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
In my professional opinion as a landscape designer, I think you would be best served by hiring a local professional to help you develop a landscape/hardscape plan that will maximize your garden usage while complimenting your home. As it is now, your request is so open-ended as to be difficult to resolve or even address well by any remote input.

And because California has some very specific, ongoing issues that dictate how landscaping should be approached - ongoing drought and fireproof gardening - a local professional is better able to address those issues. The first step would be to eliminate as much water hungry lawn area as possible through a combination of hardscaping and drought tolerant plantings. For that, you need onsite, hands-on attention and help :-)

And just a word to the wise - a ranch style home is NOT the same as a mid-century modern style and it would take some serious renovations and a lot of $$ to convert a standard ranch to MCM!!
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I can’t even see the entry so IMO start by adding a walkway from the street (ideally) or from the driveway to the front door . This can easily become MCM but needs a plan and I need pictures in better light to see the stone or brick and the windows closer up. Is that a curved window and take the sutters off for sure. That scallop detail has to go and what is the materila above the windows on the right. Better pics please . I do see the walkway from the driveway so maybe take a pic from the driveway too. If that is a bow window IMO it needs to bereplaced with a picture window flat to start. I think maybe share a budget too.This one of my fave MCM exteriors to give you some inspiration.
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Barbara C zone 5b near KC - Eco Region 47f
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Cute house. If it were my place I would start with the back. It looks like it would be a nice shady place to hang out & relax...which you will need when you start tearing up concrete. We really enjoy our shaded patio. A local landscape designer could help bring your goals to fruition.
emmarene9
2 years ago
Is the back yard paving damaged? If not then I would just add more concrete. Did you want to pave both side yards?

For the front I would create a landing that extends about a foot to each side of the door. Then a new path, wider than the one you have now.

What does the rest of the back yard look like?
mojavemaria
2 years ago
We added a paver walkway from street to door, berms, and landscape boulders and it really made a difference! Pavers look so much better than concrete but with your house color it might take some searching to find a complement to that but matching to your roof would be easy.

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