We are starting with nearly a clean slate of dirt. In the Google Map picture it shows a cement patio, which has been removed. You can start fresh with nothing in your way!
We live in a high drought area and would like to limit the use of grass or plants unless they are edible (herbs, etc) or drought tolerant. We are looking for conversation areas to sit and relax, an outdoor kitchen and dinning room, and a small area of grass for our dogs on the side yard. Think indoor/outdoor living. We have a glass door from our kitchen that open the full length of the wall (8ft).
Items to Keep:
Down the street side fence we have planted dwarf fruit trees right on the fence, which can not be moved. They need about 2 feet off the fence for room to grow.
Items we need:
1 – Out the french door from the master bedroom along the fence we need some thing to screen the neighbors windows. It would be a free standing fire place or other screening piece, but likely not plants.
2 – The right hand corner of the lot also needs some type of screening from the neighbors home. They have a raised deck that allows them to see directly into our house. We are looking to achieve some privacy.
3 – We need a fire area we can use as an outdoor living room.
4 – We need an outdoor kitchen that includes a Big Green Egg (own) and a traditional BBQ (can be purchased)
5 – We need an outdoor dinning area that can seat up to 10 people and is lit for night time dinners
6 – We need a small hot tub for 4 people.
7 – On the right side yard (the larger side yard) we need some grass for the dogs to use, but no need to fence it off. The dogs can have free use of the whole yard.
We like french country or mediterranean style where everything looks high end but warm and inviting. We are envisioning lovely stone, wood, colored cement, planters at different heights for herds or other drought tolerant plants.