I'm a plant collector by nature, so I have to work hard on unity in my plantings. One of the methods I use for creating unity is with repetition of color. Here are some color thinking points. The Serbian spruces are lovely graceful trees with gray-blue-green color. I really like the idea of an upright and a weeper in different parts of the yard. Juniperus procumbens is a flattish shrub with a similar sort of color. You have one dark purple tree. The Crimson Queen is a lovely, but dense and heavy looking tree in full leaf. Looks lovely with the gray-blues you already have in the landscape. Is it underplanted with any of the the blueish junipers or close enough to the Serbians for them to play off each other? You currently have no other dark purple used in your plantings. You might want to carry this color to other portions of the yard, with perhaps a lower or mounded shape, possibly barberries or dark Weigelas, or perhaps just some purplish ajuga. Beware though, it is not a color that you can use a lot of (at least in small spaces) since it often creates sort of dark holes in the landscape. The Emerald & Gold Euonymous are valuable plants in cold Michigan, but aren't as heavy looking as conifers and look better when backed by something dark to make them both pop, while also providing a nice texture contrast. Although it is not a combo I am overly fond of, you also see them used with blue spruces, as yellows and blues work well together. The green on the E&Gs can pick up a dark blue-green cast that way. Caution: E&Gs can get sort of dull and faded looking in Michigan winters & mine have a tendancy to green out in too much shade. From a distance E&Gs make a sort of bright goldish color splash. You have nothing else in this color range or brightness level. There is a tendancy around here of trimming E&Gs into meatballs when they are standing alone, but they actually look much better when sprawling around evergreens. I'm not familiar with Little King Dwarf River Birches. Around here you mostly see multi-trunk Heritage River Birches which quickly outgrow their spots. Yours sound like a much better choice near a house. However, I don't think wrapping E&G Euonymous around three tree trunks does much for either of them. Note: you have used no dark greens or even mid range greens. In gardening we usually think of green as a neutral color, using it everywhere. I'd play a little game of mix and match of your existing shrubs, maybe a little of the blue juniper under the maple, or adding some dark greens around the birch tree trunks, highlighted by the bright E&Gs, or carry some purple over to your upright blue spruce, maybe depending on your house colors and other plantings you could use some more yellows or golds to brighten things, etc. See what works.

Perfect! You found what works best for you and your family! I like the two chairs side-by-side as well. The terrarium over by the kitchen works well. This set up also allows you to enjoy the view out your windows. And what an amazing view you have. Good for you.! You can always put a couch table behind the couch. It’s a nice way to hide the back of the couch, add decorative touches and table lamps. They now have electric/cordless table lamps. If you ever decide to try the other one I would recommend a couch table if it will fit. That would mean you would have to move the couch a little closer. To the TV. No, a lot of people have to walk through their living room to get to their kitchen. We do and it is never a hassle. If we can ever be of any help in the future please let us know. We can be reached at callmaeday@msn.com Best Wishes, MAE

you can screw in some simple eye hooks into the ceiling. upon removing (if you remove them) they are easy to spackle over and conceal. they're a very tiny hole. ask him if you can paint one of the walls. (you can always paint it back white when you move. but if it looks good, can't see why he won't leave it. you'll only need one quartof paint for that wall. use Behr (it's cheaper) and get a color match of a green you like. as for the rug, plenty of those to find You put the rug 1/3 under the bed. 1/3 at most, and let the rest be visible. something w/texture like a jute or sisal, layered w/a hide would look nice against the dark floor or, try the over dyed rug in nice green color (just search 'over dyed rug'. etsy has them too) then, for the foot of the bed (or if no room, try the side of the wall or near the window) get yourself a bench, x ottomans or some poufs. ask landlord if you can do a hanging light in the room. it's a 5 min job to change out the can and put in another light. look at the pics I posted on how to do accessories. your room needs accessories. art over the bed needs to be larger than what you have

I think that a wooden deck is in keeping with your home’s style (which is fabulous, by the way!). You could explore using Ipe or a synthetic decking material in a dark tone. I don’t think that you will be able to match the stone on your home, so I wouldn’t even try. You might also explore better, more interesting modern lighting for your entrance way to make it more inviting. Do you require house numbers anywhere on your facade? In the end, I am sure, you will explore a renewal of your landscaping. But I would keep the porch in the forefront as you work on siding. Your house will be beautiful when you are done!