I have a blank slate to start with, the house faces West and gets full sun all afternoon.I live east of San Diego where the temperture gets about 10 degrees warmer. We want to keep the space on the right accessible to the backyard via trucks etc. The bank on the right is actually the neighbors property so not REALLY concerned with doing anything but keeping it cleaned up. We do not want grass any more, were thinking of going with "low maintenace" desert/rock look with succulants and drought tolerant plants.IE meandering dry creek bed or some type of plant islands?? I have a bench and old antique garden tools to include here and there. I would like some color and would like to use pretty ceremic pots for some plants. I have a picture of a yard I like near by that I will try to attach along with my house. Any help would sure be appreciated!! I am very tired of this being a neighborhood eyesore! We had 2 giant messy silk oaks removed and cleared everthing else out at that time.