Front Entry and Barren Lawn Transformed

The yard of this recently built home still showed the mark of the builder’s hand: In front, no connection between front porch and driveway; foundation plantings poorly chosen. In back, a token tree tucked in a corner; otherwise, nothing but a large expanse of lawn. A sweeping, wide stone path now leads from street and driveway to the front entry. In back, a stone patio offset from the deck provides a charming destination surrounded by plantings.

Prev|Next Fullscreen

Linear front walk with no access to driveway.

Wide curving stone walkway links front porch and driveway.

No privacy on porch with low foundation plantings.

Well-placed tree lends privacy to porch.

Stone wall separates lawn from wall-top garden.

Planting bed at base of wall connects wall-top garden with yard.

The narrow linear path from street to steps offered no access to the driveway.

The narrow linear path from street to porch steps gave no access to the driveway.

Linking the steps to street and driveway, this wide curving stone path softens the verticality of the porch columns and creates a welcoming entry.

Linking the front porch to both the street and the driveway, this wide curving stone path softens the verticality of the porch columns and creates a welcoming entry.

The low foundation plantings leave the porch exposed.

The low foundation plantings lend no privacy to the front porch.

A well-placed tree provides light screening without blocking view from front porch.

A well-placed tree provides just sufficient screening to give a sense of privacy without blocking the view from the front porch.

There is nothing inviting in the yard except the play set.

Offset from, but connected to, the deck, this stone patio becomes an attractive destination.

Offset from, but connected to, the deck by stepping stones, this charming stone patio edged with fragrant plants becomes an attractive destination.

A beautiful, but long and bare stone wall separates the lawn from the wall-top garden.

A planting bed that includes the corner dogwood tree extends in front of the wall and connects the wall-top garden with the rest of the yard.

Planting bed containing tree extends in front of wall and connects wall-top garden with yard.