Here are the landscaping photos from May 2005:

"You're in the jungle, baby"-G'N'R

The original owner created a great outdoor space off the entry. She had a fountain and chairs outside in the space. We have a bucket covering the electrical for the future fountain. We are working on fountain ideas...haven't found anything yet that blows us away. The carriage lights were bright enough to guide planes to land in the front yard. She had green lightbulbs in the lights...very weird color choice.

she could have run a nursery out of the front yard. We're not complaining because she planted some AMAZING trees and plants. We kept most of the really mature ones, but there were many that just had to go...couldn't even see the house, through the jungle.

New pebble flooring was poured a week ago.

The front of the house is still being painted, but it is coming together nicely.

Another exterior shot...

We have grass!!! Matt and I are grass people, but the front yard is much too big for all grass. We designed a simple plot of grass to add a little more green to the landscaping.

I love pulling up the house at night now....it's almost better at night! We purchased a bunch of Malibu aluminum path lights, uplights, and wall wash lights. We still need some more light at the entry though.

I love the effect of the wall wash lights.

The landscaping has seen some major changes. We removed much of 'The Forest'. I swear the original owner planted a tree every day she lived here!!! We created a simple landscaping plan, and had a landscaper help us execute it. We added a geometric area of grass, planted some bamboo, palm trees, agave, ice plant, iris, etc. We kept the Jacarada, mediterranean palm, ocotillo, pomagranate, and aloe. We purchased enough landscape lights to light up the neighborhood, and we especially like the wall wash lights...they are so cool. We are creating a screen to give some privacy for our entry. Also, the carriage lights are coming down in favor of under bench lighting. The planters will be painted and potted plants with accent the hardscape in the entry area. I finally feel like this house is starting to look better.

The front of the house is shaping up!

Well, the entry area has come along way, although not completely done yet. Since last May, we have removed the hanging lattice, removed the hanging lamps, replaced both front doors, painted, re-built the original planter, and pebbled the entry. Future plans include installing a fountain, creating a sitting area with custom wood benches and installing a gate at our entry.