skip to main content

entry Landscape Design Design Dilemma

Mid century front yard and entry reboot

last year

Our gray little house has multiple roof lines, a sad entry, and newly torn up front yard. Garage and triangle entry roof were added 20 years ago by previous owner. We want to fix the entry, build a patio against the home and install a coastal garden (we're a block from the beach). Concerned about making the patio proportional to the home, should it be a rectangle or a curvy space (for just a few chairs)? Ideas on how to repair the entry's broken heart?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

decoenthusiaste
last year
Start by removing the sad little pointy portico. That's not MCM at all and looks like an afterthought. Will you actually sit in the front yard? Often patios get the heaviest usage in the back and near the kitchen door for easy cookouts, etc. Here's some inspiration.

Tabasgo Remodel · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/coastal-mid-century-exterior/nqrwns/p/20?oq=coastal%20mid%20century%20exterior&redirectoq=coastal%20mid%20century%20exterior
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
You need professional, local design help and a good budget. Changing the entry porch as well as how the house approaches the street will make or break this house. Probably a architect/designer with a good working relationship with a landscape architect.
Related Discussions
Mid Century Modern help needed (long; lots of photos)
Q
Comments (132)
That is pretty, flyleft. I think the reasons it works are the very high ceiling, the continuing brick work on the wall surrounding the mantel, and the raised hearth. Although that vertical brick makes me wonder about maybe doing stone of some sort in a vertical brick pattern instead of the square limestone tiles. Too trendy perhaps?
...See More
What would you do? Fresh start for mid century ranch.
Q
Comments (96)
I'm no expert I just know a lot of people are doing cement board around me. I am not sure if they glue then screw and caulk to prevent hiding spaces. Best to check with an expert. However. It can all have the same look with a smooth stucco or other surface and scoring. Here is one with a slight two tone chimney. Not to much but enough to diminish the height a bit .
...See More
Help Landscaping Front Entry of Mid Century Modern Home
Q
Comments (6)
I would keep the deck, your window layout may look a bit weird without it there. My eye didn't go to your front door immediately, so I would put plants along your new sidewalk. Since it seems you get a lot of shade (and I don't know where you live), I would ask the local gardening store what may look good and would be green year round. Boxwoods get pretty big but they are a hearty plant. I would also check out Home & Garden online, they have some great ideas for pathway planting for both annuals and perennials. I would edge the walkway with plants, put two tall pots to flank the front door and I would also consider hanging some ferns or other greenery under your deck.
...See More
New front walkway for mid century beachside ranch
Q
Comments (10)
I like the broken tile porch too. So you're adding or expanding a walkway from your front door that goes to the driveway. Must you butt it up against the porch, or could you leave a buffer of a foot or two between the walkway and the porch? If you could, then I'd plant liriope as a narrow strip to visually divide the two areas. Then you could use gravel & pavers for the walkway without conflicting with the existing porch. Also, designers work for you. If you like a certain feature, tell them to work with it, period. That's my opinion, but I'm not a designer...!
...See More
tracefloyd
last year
last modified: last year
You live by the coast how fun! That means you've got a lot of leeway to not have to be so strictly formal.

I'm real big right now on bright white marble gravel rock for MCM homes. It is a material that was popular in that era and very retro. Lay out some nice curvey bender board for a good big sized seating area and big round low table, lay some weed cloth first and fill it with the white stone and coastal accents.

Hang a big round white paper lantern light or two inside the porch to draw the eye in. Paint the white triangle gray as the house. That may be all this cute house needs. Please don't apologize for your home. It looks great and will show real pride of ownership. Wait till your yard goes in...wow!

Not all of these examples use the white rock. Some sandy areas would be nice, too as in last photo.
tracefloyd
last year
last modified: last year
With all that dirt you could put in a planting mound along the street for a sense of privacy.
tracefloyd
last year
last modified: last year
Love that boardwalk in the first photo. Find a place to put one in, even a few lined up driftwood logs or weathered boards on the ground. It's all about leading the eye. Have some fun, you're at the coast! (And Happy Birthday!)

Wouldn't these look good on sand? It's a coastal decor. It doesn't have to be functional or go anywhere, Just to lead the eye to another feature. Size to the scale of the yard. This looks a little big, it shouldn't be the main act. I got it... think Japanese Tea Garden, everthing at ground level is diminutive. A few boards instead of the bridge.
Ba Sobester
Original Author
last year
Thank you everyone. All very creative and great ideas! I like the idea of painting the entry gray until we can get an architect to work out the entryway... The solution seems obvious, but $$$.

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Take Back Your Front Yard: 8 Ways to Make It Social

By J. Peterson Garden Design

If only trees and squirrels gather in your front yard, you're missing out on valuable socializing space. Here's how to remedy that

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Warm, Mid-Century Makeover

By Vanessa Brunner

Tour an Updated 'Atomic Ranch' With a Killer Coastal View

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Front Yards That Balance Privacy With Curb Appeal

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Selective screens, layered plantings and low walls boost privacy but still keep yards welcoming to neighbors

EXTERIORS Where Front Yards Collide: Property Lines in Pictures

By Mitchell Parker

Some could be twins; others channel the Odd Couple. You may never look at property boundaries the same way again

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Mid-century Modern on Cape Cod

By Becky Harris

Visit a sprawling International Style home updated for a 21st-century family

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Front-Yard Makeover Ideas With Mojo

By Joanna Tovia

Make a statement in your front landscape with one of these standout styles

INSPIRING GARDENS Native Plants Bring 10 Southern California Front-Yard Gardens to Life

By Annie Thornton

Rare plants, rain gardens and wildlife habitats are just a few of the features showcased on the 2016 Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour

CURB APPEAL 7 Finishing Touches for a Thoughtful Front Yard

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Make a great first impression with artful house numbers, water features, garden art and more

CURB APPEAL 7 Ways to Create a Neighborly Front Yard

By June Scott Design

Foster community spirit by setting up your front porch, paths and yard for social interaction

FRONT YARD IDEAS 10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love

By Laura Gaskill

Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH

More Discussions

Landscaping Possibilities?

22

Foundation planting advice

36

How can improve this house's curb appeal with plants?

10

Help on choosing plants infront of retaining wall

3

Landscaping advice

6