Dear Homework,
The front of our house is adjacent to the back of our neighbor’s house/garage, so we have driveway issues. We also have a lot of dated/crumbling brickwork. It’s a great house, but needs some curb appeal. One note—the large tree you can see in the photos has been removed.
Sincerely, Feeling Hemmed In
Dear Feeling Hemmed In,
Starting on the left, I would build a low wood fence and stain it the trim color of the house. I would include the address and a craftsman-style lamp to announce entry to the property. This strip of land doesn’t seem wide enough for a hedge, so the fence is a good ‘thin’ way to create a visual separation from the neighboring property.
At the house itself, I would replant the repaired brick planters with specimen grasses and low-growing junipers that will not mature to block the windows. I would use the brick plinths at the steps as a stage for two large terra-cotta pots brimming with seasonal flowers. Additionally, I would swing the front walk toward the street so that guests don’t have to walk the length of the driveway to reach it.
Finally, I would re-landscape the right side of the property by placing a trio of vertical evergreens near the house to frame the façade and minimize the house next door. Next, create a curving bed of ground cover to connect the new evergreens with the remaining tree in your front yard. At the rear of the bed, add a burning bush hedge to further separate the properties.
While still tightly packed, now all the attention is focused on your attractive, Craftsman-style elevation, because the impact of the neighboring houses has been greatly reduced.
Thanks for asking.
Homework
[Homework is penned by Paul Doerner, Founding Partner of the Lawrence Group. if you would like your home critiqued, contact us at homework@townandstyle.com.]
