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
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.]