Question
I bought a brick front home a few years ago that basically has green bushes populating the garden area on either side of the front entrance. The previous owner placed mulch in the areas but I haven't done anything since I bought the house. What I wanted to ask is if it is a design/visual no-no for me to place white rock or marble chips instead of the mulch in these garden areas against a backdrop of a brick front home? Would the white clash too much with the reddish brown brick of the house? My other alternative would be to use the red lava rocks or, if I had to, the reddish mulch. I was trying to go with the white rocks but it is hard to find a picture of a house that has it so that I can get an idea visually.

Answer
The purpose of a mulch is two-fold: so the bed looks "neat & tidy" and so the plant can retain moisture between waterings.  Rock tends to heat up and dry out the soil and raise the soil temperature so the roots close to the surface "cook".  Wood mulch products break down, turn odd colors, or blow away...

That said, it is mostly about tastes & preferences.  There are, however, more options than marble chips or lava rocks.  Here is a source with other options to consider, depending on what is available in your area (with pictures杋n Colorado, though)

http://www.renewablefiber.com/index.htm

The complimentary color for red (brick) is green, not white.  And, too much red would be visually overpowering.  White and red might make your front yard look more like a carnival, rather than a natural and inviting place.  Great for a candycanes, but maybe not so great for a frontyard...I'm not trying to be harsh, just helping you weigh other options!

If you plan on staying a while, then it is your space to do with as you see fit, but there is the resale value of the decision to sonsider: what future buyer might want such a striking frontyard contrast?

Hope it helps ~Marc