The author's ideas include: having a strong concept; design before plants; decisive editing of plants; investing in infrastructure; and thinking geometry. She suggests a minimum of lawn, little that needs dividing or pruning or staking or spraying, and plants placed where they can grow to their natural size. Also that you plan places to entertain, eat, stroll, nap, read, and relax.
I think I shall go to Amazon and buy it right now - it sounds intelligent, thoughtful and realistic. It is 'The New Low Maintenance Garden' by Valerie Easton.
The challenge will be to make all this eminently practical and sensible stuff dynamic and exciting - but I do love a challenge!