Now that all of the major work is done inside the house we’ve started work on the landscaping. We’re splitting the project into three areas. The front yard, a small courtyard with a fish pond just before entering the house and the backyard.
Front Yard
Don’t worry, the house is no longer that color and yes we took away the do not close graffiti as well.
Pond Overview
Backyard Overview
I think I’ll start with the backyard because my hand sketch of the front yard plan looks like a 5 year old scribbled all over it. If you look at the above picture, the door in the foreground just to the right is the kitchen door and just about where I’m standing is where the outdoor kitchen area will be in the far off future.
Future Sunbathing Area
The area above just at the end of the pool is the future sunbathing area. No, the clumps of weeds are not part of the plan. The landscaper cleared up the yard yesterday but still has to take away the clippings.
The following are pictures that inspired our design.
From Houzz.com
From Houzz.com
From Houzz.com
From Houzz.com
We really love the use of different size concrete pavers intermixed with the gray river rock and ornamental grass.
Below is an overall plan for what we’re hoping to do in the backyard.
All of the white rectangles are concrete pavers. In between the pavers will be the gray river rock and the ornamental grass will be sprinkled around in different areas. On the right side of the drawing (property) we’re installing a row of Golden Hawaiian Bamboo that ends at the existing Bougainvillea Tree and a Sapodilla Tree on the opposite side of the Bougainvillea. We discovered Sapodilla last year and it is amazing!! It tastes like a pear that’s been baked with brown sugar. Yum!!
Golden Hawaiian Bamboo
Bougainvillea Tree
Sapodilla Tree
The collection of smaller rectangles just at the right end of the pool will be the sunbathing area with some lounge chairs (the long black rectangles on the rendering). On the opposite end of the pool will be an outdoor kitchen with a cooking area and a dining area with a table and chairs. Behind the cooking area will be a fence with confederate jasmine crawling on it. Next to the dining table will be a beautiful sausage tree. Hahaha! No really, it’s called a sausage tree. It makes THE most beautiful flowers and creates such a beautiful canopy. I really lobbied for this one because Fabio thinks it’s gonna make a huge mess in the pool. I think it’ll be fine.
Then on the north side of the pool (top of the picture) we’ll have a few large vases with a lemon, lime and grapefruit tree. I’m super excited about the plan, hopefully it’s as beautiful as I imagine!! I’m looking forward to anything but a yard full of debris and weeds. 
