Front yard dilemma in northern California
Maria I. N
5 years ago
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Yardvaark
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoChristopher CNC
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Help me design my front yard! New homeowner!
Comments (7)It's the clipped lollypop standards that just don't seem right in the application here. I think they'd be be more effective as focal points to design garden beds around somewhere other than in the front yard - like one would design gardens around a fountain, statue or other garden art. How do you feel about low maintenance succulents between the walk and porch; one of the grasses as an accent? Something I'd love, but can't have much in the way of in my climate. As for additional shrubs under the window like a row of boxwood - that might get to look ordinary and tiresome, especially if mercilessly sheared. There are always two schools of thought regarding foundation planting on this forum - some like it, some don't. I have the "usual" foundation plantings, mirror image arborvitae, mugos, and yews. My house is a center hall colonial so that arrangement worked. It's lived far beyond its usefulness now - 40 years and I can no longer keep it in check, so it'll be ripped out and I'll have to face the replacement dilemma myself....See MoreMy dad's plan in Northern California
Comments (2)The first thing that strikes me is that the spaces are too small to perform as you wish. The accessible bathroom isn't accessible, nor is the closet, or the route to get to it. It also shares a wall with one of the noisiest rooms in the house, and would not be hospitable for guests to try to sleep in for that reason. If the bath were hall accessible, it could serve as a full bath to the other two rooms on the front of the home if someone wanted them to serve as bedrooms, either for guest overflow, or if you decide you don't want all of the bedrooms upstairs. But, those rooms need closets to allow that potential, as well as to store other everyday items that need storing. There is also no closet by the front door to serve guests. The entry is overly large, and without a "destination", unwelcoming. The stairs will be problematic as drawn. The family entrance complex is award and will be cluttered without a good drop zone. The garage is not nearly large enough to work as a 3 car garage. 30' of width is optimistic even for sedans, but with a truck or SUV, no one will be able to get out of their vehicle without occpying the whole bay. The small bay will be OK for a lawn mower and other yard maintenance storage, or a Smart car, take your pick. Not both. Please let the architect do his job. Then critique it. At that point, showing him a few suggestions is warranted, but please don't mistake a floor plan that is developed separately from the exterior will be all that helpful as a starting point. It's more likely to muddy things up. And it will possibly restrict yourself from envisioning other possibilities....See Morenorthern California -- pool usage
Comments (6)Friends heated theirs for a couple months early this year - gas bills over $500...yikes! We had heard stories like this so put in solar instead of a gas heater (no spa for us and the up front costs were similiar). We are in the SF bay area and between solar and a cover we swam for the first time the first week of March...had a couple times where quite cool weather kept us out of the pool - but we pretty much swam from March to early October - when some extra cold days - and no cover on - dropped the pool temps low enough we just haven't really recovered from them (I'm kind of a wimp - so with 72 degree water I might wade for a few minutes on warm day after yard work - I'm not getting in!)...last year the early fall seemed MUCH warmer and we swam up until November... Do you have cover on? That really helped me out!...See MoreFront yard planting bed. Advice ?
Comments (29)An attractive small sub shrub which you might like is Convolvulus cneorum. It has silvery foliage all year round and white funnel shaped flowers. Height about 1 -2 feet. Another possibility is Helianthemums, AKA Rock Roses. Or some of the smaller Cistuses aka Sun Roses. Rosemary, in a compact cultivar is also a fair suggestion. As is Lavender. Have a look at Google images. There are numerous possibilities for that space, even if you don't wish to enlarge it, which would be perennial, not need pruning and be attractive year round. Annuals = work inasmuch as they need regular replacement. Rather than look at 'flowers' e.g. the Anemones, look at the whole plant and consider how many months of the year it will be attractive. You can always cram in bulbs for an ephemeral show but they are not a complete answer to 'what to plant in this space'....See Morenancyjane_gardener
5 years agoYardvaark
5 years agoDig Doug's Designs
5 years agoMaria I. N
5 years agoMaria I. N
5 years agonanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoDig Doug's Designs
5 years agoCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years agoMaria I. N thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering imagesCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMaria I. N thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering imagesCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoMaria I. N thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering imagesMaria I. N
4 years agoFlores Artscape
4 years ago
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