Rooftop details

[IndyCity]

Wonderfull details. That will be much fun to model it.

At my search, what a "roof top ratio" is, i found this very inspiring picture:

http://thefabriclab.files.wordpress.com/..._patio.jpg

I need a little help with this pic:

on the left side of the pic , between the car and the very left house there is an brown unit. Can someone identify what it is ?

same the blue box at the same corner ? Is it a trash container ?