Front yard design dilemma: Putting ideas to paper
Last week I posted about the problems I want to address with a design for my new-old house’s entry. Many of you responded with suggestions, great ideas, your own experience with similar problems, and encouragement. All the ideas got me feeling creative and energized about doing some sketches and making some decisions.
I do want to say, in case the lovely former owners happen to read about their old home, which they took care of beautifully for 14 years, that I think the existing entry is quite attractive as-is: well-groomed, mostly evergreen for all-year interest, low-maintenance, and deer-proof (the deer never go after any of these plants, so far as I can tell). Everyone likes to put their own stamp on their home, however, and rabid gardeners like myself usually start by radically redoing the existing plantings. Please don’t take any changes personally, if you happen to drive by. I promise to take good care of your former home and beautiful lot for the years that we live here.
Now then, on to the business at hand. When you’re casually sketching ideas for your garden, especially up against a house, it’s handy to print out a large picture of your house, put a piece of semi-transparent vellum paper over it, and just start drawing. If you want to start over, simply get out another piece of vellum paper and draw something different. It’s an easy way to try out ideas for new paths, fences, and planting beds as they’ll look with your house.
That’s what I did for my entry garden, above. Here are the problems I discussed on my previous post, with solutions noted after.
1. The roofline. It has no dimension and sits too low over the door and windows.
Solution: Add a gable over the entry porch to break up the flat expanse of roof and open up the entrance and make it more welcoming. The new gable plus gutters solve the problem of rain pouring off the roof onto our heads as we enter and exit.
2. The windows. Some are long, some are short; they have old aluminum frames with fake mullions and non-functioning shutters; and there’s that horrible ’70s detail of wood siding beneath the shorter windows.
Solution: Short-term, remove the shutters and paint the wooden panels under the windows to match the brick siding in hopes that they’ll “disappear” to the eye. Long-term, replace the windows with a more updated style.
3. A too-narrow sidewalk that slopes down from the driveway to the squeezed front steps, making a perfect chute of water to the base of the steps when it rains. Adding to the hazard is the lack of gutters, allowing rainwater to cascade off the roof onto anyone attempting to jump that puddle at the base of the steps.
Solution: Rip out the existing Mexican tile sidewalk and lay a new cut-limestone path at the same level as the entry porch, thus eliminating the troublesome down-slope. There will be a step up at the driveway, which shunts water off to one side. A dry stream on either side of the walk collects water runoff from the drive, takes it under the new path via drainage pipe, and sends it around the side of the house, toward wet-weather beds in the back garden, thus keeping rainfall on the property.
The new cut-stone path is as wide as the entry space and looks dressier than the existing path. The wider design contributes to a more welcoming look, as do potted plants near the door.
4. Little strips of grass and a narrow foundation planting in a straight line too close to the house.
Solution: Take out the grass and foundation shrubs and replace most of it with a pea-gravel courtyard. A tall pot on the left plays the role of a fountain (which I must avoid because of our deer problem), with blue-toned grasses (‘Ruby Crystal’ maybe?) at its feet, a yucca or agave planted at top, and silver ponyfoot cascading from its mouth. (Many thanks, Susan at Blue Planet Garden Blog, for this brilliant idea!)
The fictional water source from the pot “flows” into a dry creek, which becomes functional as it picks up water runoff from the driveway. The dry creek flows under the new path via drainage pipe and continues around the side of the house, following the natural slope of the lot.
On the left, in the nook between house and garage, a trellis of horizontal 2×2-inch cedar lengths screens from view some pipes & utility stuff back there. A small, airy tree (Anacacho orchid, perhaps, or trifoliate orange) and a sleek bench provide a focal point and place to watch the kids play basketball. (Hat tip to Lee at The Grackle for this idea; I’ve admired a similar trellis/bench/tree combo in his garden.) Once the architecture is in place, more plants will go in here, but I plan to keep the foundation line clear.
On the right, under the live oak, native sedges and river fern provide an easy-care, deer-resistant bed that can stand up to occasional basketball depredations. A stepping-stone path leads past the Japanese maple at the corner of the house to the back-garden gate.
5. Paint colors and itsy-bitsy exterior lights.
Removing the dark-brown shutters will visually lighten the house. I plan to repaint the trim and entry siding a neutral shade to complement the brick’s peachy-tan color, and I’ll probably paint the front door green. New, larger exterior lights will replace the existing tiny ones.
I expect I’ll tinker with this sketch until we can budget the roofline and path alterations that are essential to the new design. The drainage problem that has existed for nearly 40 years without harming the foundation (sturdily built on rock, yea!) can be put up with for another year or two with only occasional inconvenience. Tempting though it will be to start ripping out plants and adding new ones, I will hold off until the destruction of construction is completed.
Until then, I’m really happy to have an idea for our new entry garden and look forward to seeing the plan become reality.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Sweet — I think it will be very inviting and lovely! When do you start?!
As soon as our ship comes in, Diana! Or as soon as our roof needs replacing, whichever comes first. —Pam
Looks like a great start, Pam. I can’t wait to watch it develop.
Thanks. Me too, Susan. —Pam
I love your idea. Do keep us informed as you go along.
Thanks, Lola. Almost everything ends up on the blog. It’s always needing to be fed. 😉 —Pam
Pam,
Looks like you have a good plan so far! Looking forward to seeing the changes you come up with.
We changed out house from a rectangular 880 sq ft box to a very cool 1900 sq ft house. There is a photo on my blog on my last entry not a box any more.
I just checked out your house picture, Randy. You have great dimension to your facade; amazing what a few triangles will do, isn’t it? I’m hoping one will do the trick for us. —Pam
I was with you until you said “get out another piece of vellum and draw something different.” Are you made of money, girl? Trace paper! I bought a ream of heavy 18 mil 11×17 trace directly from a vendor a while back and love it. It’s tougher than the rolls you get at the art supply store – great for overlaying on a plan and sketching on site with clients and if I want to do hand render of a computer design (trace takes color so beautifully) it’s thick enough to go through a copier.
P.S. I like your sketch!
Definitely not made of money! Thanks for the money-saving tip re: the tracing paper. And thanks again for the false-fountain idea. It’s going to look great in the (eventual) new entry. —Pam
Great ideas! This will be fun!
You bet! I’m looking forward to getting things underway. Until then I’m repeating to myself: Rome wasn’t built in a day. —Pam
Hi Pam.
Really interesting to see your design process and sketching thoughts…very pragmatically creative. I think the gable over the porch area is a really great addition that will open the scene up significantly, and create a definitive entry and visually friendly focal point on approach. I also like the more fluid and organic approach to the design in your sketch, less formal and much more interesting. What about sweeping curves from the side-walk for an added “grander” invitation to the front door? The drainage curves / substrate would naturally follow these lines…I couldn’t resist suggesting this. Nip those leading front corners into a curve Pam…I dare you!
Great ideas.
Can’t wait to see this develop.
ESP.
Thanks for the curve suggestion, or should I say “dare,” ESP. 🙂 Yes, I can see it, and it would look great too. But I’m kinda feeling the straight lines at the moment. I’ll probably end up laying it out both ways when the time comes to see which I prefer. —Pam
Pam, clever you, I do like your solutions to the problems. I hope you don’t have to wait too long to be able to invest in your house, at least all the expensive work will add value to your home and you will be able to enjoy it, hopefully for years to come. Thank you for taking the time to show us how you came to your decisions, this is what really makes it interesting and helpful. I found the ‘joined’ up photo really helpful to visualise your front and i was able to imagine the results. I like the ‘mock’ fountain it will really draw the eye away from the windows, do you think you need something on the other side to do the same thing?
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
Yes, Sylvia, something else will be needed to balance the other side. I’ve been musing over this. I’ve considered espalier, but it’s a shady location, which makes it harder. Maybe some sort of decorative trellis or wall art. —Pam
Just watching your process makes me want to tackle our front garden. You have great ideas here. The roof change really points to the front door and makes it look so inviting.
Have you shown your front garden on your blog, Lisa? I highly recommend throwing design questions out there in the blogosphere. The ideas people suggest can jump-start your own creative thinking. —Pam
Looks like you have solved all the problems, Pam and it looks great. I add to the idea of sweeping out the walkway to make it more inviting. Other than that, all good!!!!
Thanks, Frances. I’ll continue fiddling with the sketch until the real fun can start. Wish it was today! —Pam
It’s so smart to wait; you’re right~~Having an idea and tweaking it will sustain you until you are finished with construction. In the meantime, you’ll have tons of fun with containers. gail I would so love to replace my aluminum storm windows.
I think we really notice those outdated and chilly windows in winter, don’t we? In summer we’re too busy in the garden to think about them. Now we’re looking through them and wanting more beautiful “eyes” into the garden. —Pam
It looks great and it will be fun watching you turn it into reality.
Thanks, Phillip. Hopefully within a year or two… —Pam
You’ve come up with some wonderful ideas and solutions to your design dislikes. 🙂
Thanks, Nancy. Sketching and musing are good gardening activities when the weather is dreary and gray, as it is today. —Pam
Planning for seating is a brilliant idea. Not enough people sit in their front yards anymore, but it is a great way to keep an eye on the kids and to get to know the neighbors. Thanks for showing us part of the process of redesigning. You’ve come up with a beautiful plan.
Thanks, MMD. I second your opinion about having seating in the front garden. Even if it hardly gets used, it sets a welcoming mood. It invites you into the garden. —Pam
I meant to add – I saw your tip in Fine Gardening last night. That is an excellent one!
Thanks! —Pam
Hello,
What a helpful post showing the process of re-designing. It makes me want to take a look outside of my entry… I actually love to re-design existing landscapes of my clients, rather than be faced with a blank palette (kind of weird, I know).
That’s interesting, Noelle. I prefer blank slates (free reign!), but the reality is that most people need re-designs rather than brand-new landscaping. —Pam
I knew you’d come up with a good plan.
Now comes the hard part….waiting.
Isn’t that a Tom Petty song? So true! I shall endeavor to remain patient. —Pam
Lovely revamp ideas! And the sooner you get rid of the dang itsy bitsy teensy porch lights the happier we will all be! You go girl!
Don’t I know it! Must pay off Xmas bills first, however. Again with the patience thing. Sigh. —Pam
Great job! I really like what you’ve come up with, and I wish my sketches looked as good as yours do!
Thanks, Loree. Knowing your design sense, I bet your sketches are immaculate and creative. Do show us sometime. —Pam
I enjoyed your post, Pam. You have a lot of great ideas. I like your idea of changing the roofline with a gable. That will change the looks of things a great deal. All wonderful plans… and I enjoyed seeing how you would change things for the better. Thanks for sharing! -Amy
My pleasure, Amy. I like thinking out loud, and blogs are great for soliciting ideas from talented gardeners all over the place. —Pam
The shutters remind me of a handlebar mustache…….way too long. Like your ideas. Very fun to see it on paper and watch it progress over the next few years.
Oh, those dreadful shutters. I was out there eyeing them in the cold this morning, thinking about getting out the crowbar then and there. It would freak out my husband though. Must proceed with reassurances and a firm vision. 🙂 —Pam
It’s good. The creekbed’s a nice way to deal with the stormwater. With the naturalistic creekbed and the curved path on the courtyard, I might try to bend or break the straight edges of the front entryway, either tapering it in a little in the middle or hopscotching the edge off the stone. Might read a bit flat with a straight rectangular path in the center of the design.
I really like when people put seating in their front yards, something that got lost during the development of the suburbs.
Thanks for your suggestions, Ryan. Can you explain what you mean about “hopscotching the edge off the stone”? I’m intrigued. —Pam
You’re front’s going to be really nice I’m thinking, doing a quick surf around and seeing some of the stone and gravel you guys have to work with in your area. You have a lot of different kinds of stone it looks like, and it seems like you can make the stone a bit more focal in your area. I’m used to getting resistance sometimes if I give a garden too many hard lines, almost everyone wants their northern California landscape to have a lushness, but there are some landscapes where that happens out your way, where you get these wide clean Texas lines, and it works really well. Makes sense I guess, thinking of iconic images of Texas. It’ll be cool to see the stonework go in when it happens. Picking out stone is one of the best parts of an installation.
I agree about the importance and fun of picking the right stone. Washing it off after the installation—the big reveal! Austin’s not really in the iconic, Marfa-style, wide-open-spaces part of Texas. BUT we do have stone, and lots of it. I toyed with the idea of a slightly more contemporary style garden in front, which is where those straight lines come into play, as well as a reliance on stone versus a lush look. I’ll have to see whether I can restrain myself from packing plants into the open space or not. —Pam
It looks lovely Pam. I especially like the wide welcoming path to the door and the gable porch roof. Whatever you do, I know it’ll be beautiful and true to you.
Thanks, Jean! —Pam
Wow, that was some late night comment gibberish from me, even I can’t understand it. I meant that the wide flat plain might hold the eye a lot and that a tapering or breaking the line might bring the eye into the front entryway and work more with the other wonderful elements. But then looking at some other images of the contemporary Texas landscape, I saw that the wideness might be what you want, might suit the region, and that the containers in the drawing might be just enough to give a tapering effect and some verticality anyways. My partner and I are gaming out some of the same details for one of our designs right now on some hardscape to go along a driveway. Have to commit ourselves to some decisions on the details and then make some lovely drawings over own, much easier to look at bloom day photos and look at landscapes where I’m not the one responsible for building it, I’m finding. Go figure, eh.
Yes, the seductiveness of reading blogs can be overpowering—don’t I know it. I appreciate your thoughts about the pathway and openness of the space, Ryan. Food for thought. —Pam
I so don’t envy you, but I have do to the same thing soon. My front stoop has a covering that is leaking water and rotting from the inside. Years ago it was covered with vinyl and aluminum. I’d like to add a trellis and take off the old covering. I like where yours is headed. You seem to be thinking this process through. I can’t wait to see it come to fruition, knowing that plans change in the middle of things.
Spending money on home repairs isn’t so fun, but boy do I love doing redesigns and sketching out ways to make house and home better. I’m excited about making these changes as soon as we can budget for it. Good luck with your own redesign. Maybe you’ll have more fun with it than you anticipate. —Pam
Some lovely possibilities. If you’re looking for some balance to the fountain-effect, why not add a rain garden on the other side of the walk? As long as I’m spending your sweat, you could make the front walk bridge the gravel drainage so your whole front dripline drains through the water garden before seeping out to the drive (or under, so I can go way over the sweat budget).
I love your other work and keep trying to figure out how to incorporate the elements I most enjoy into my NW Austin garden (4 inches of clay over limestone). I’m sure whatever you do will increase my garden envy.
Thanks for your ideas, Richard. Hey, this is the stage where sweat equity is all hypothetical, so it’s a good time to let the imagination run wild. I’m right with you on having that front path bridge the dry creek. That’s the plan, and a rain garden is a great idea for the space on either side of the dry creek as it runs downhill toward the back yard. I won’t be building that front path myself, “only” the dry creek and garden around it, so the sweat involved should be moppable with a dozen or two absorbent towels. —Pam
About the Mexican weeping bamboo– Sometimes it takes a few years for the clumpers to become winter hardy. They may die back the first couple of years and come back in the spring/summer. Is this it’s first winter? This early hard freeze was hard on my new giant timber bamboo. Good luck!
That’s so good to know, Cathy. Yes, I planted it last year, so this is it’s first winter in the ground. I really hope it bounces back. I loved its lush growth, plus it was quite expensive! —Pam