Thank you all so much for your responses! You guys are great. A few things before I respond individually. Our HOA has ridiculous rules about landscaping. Every house must have two trees out front: a pine and an oak. So unfortunately, removing them is not an option. Trimming them helped a ton and you can now at least see the house. Sunnyca, I know what you mean about creeping fig. I just love it so much. *sob* And the houses around here that have it are freaking adorable. I know how much work they are (as does DH) and I even tried to talk him out of it yesterday because I know it can be damaging to the mortar. KarinL, I know exactly what you're talking about re: outer space. It's something I hate about this house too. Worse yet, it's closer to the street than my neighbors so it looks even more awkward. (In case any of you are wondering why we bought such a house; we moved here for DH's job and chose this suburb for (a) the school [we have four kids] and (b) the commute. This house was probably the 70th we looked at and the layout inside is perfect for us which was more important to me than the exterior.) Catkim, the Sago was removed because we simply don't like them. I know that's somewhat of a sin in the landscaping world! The windowbox with the yellow flowers was one I googled. I'm not going to be using yellow in the box. Possibly geraniums with maybe varigated vinca vine. We can definitely grow lavendar and salvia here. Nandina, that's an exceptional idea. I'm pretty sure they'd allow it. Another poster suggested that when we replace the lantern to have it hang lower to that space between the door and the window. Thoughts? Inkognito, we're definitely painting the motifs above the windows. They're so "hey look at me!!" the color that they are. We actually might mix some water with paint and use it as a stain. laag, we were hoping to build a pergola/arbor/trellis (whatever they're called) in front of the garage with something like clematis or mandevilla growing from either side. My only concern about whether I want to pretend the garage isn't there or just celebrate it, kwim? Not "celebrate it" but just incorporate it since it's obviously there and there to stay. Also, I'm pretty sure once we paint, it's going to inpsire my neighbor to do the same. Her landscaping is fantastic and her taste inside her home is nice. You've all given us plenty to think about and I'm anxious for DH to read this thread. Thanks again!

I told Sayde I would help her post photos of her kitchen and some tile samples, so everyone could see. (I have serious house envy, having grown up in an English Tudor.) Original Kitchen: New floor plan: Possible floor tile, 4x8 Mojave tumbled travertine tiles: They come in 8 x 4, 8 x 8, 6x6, 12x12. Wish there were 8 by 16 but not in this tile). Another shot of same tile as above: "These are the terracotta pavers I like and they're larger. Worried they'll be more difficult and may-be too red or too dark. ???" Flooring pattern. Def pretty but is it to busy, noisy live with daily? "One alternative to a hood that we would construct might be something like this. I like the geometry of this one . . ." Or copper: Backsplash: "They used three different colors of off white. When you hold the tiles in your hand they look much closer together in value than they do here (below). These are 4x8 but they come 3x6 and also square. They are the only tiles I've seem that have that nice talc like matte surface, but also a very subtle craze that you only see close up. When I saw them next to that edge of midtoned wood I got drawn in. And what about these with the floor? Colors? Sizes?"

I don't see the legs you like? I also don't understand the solid sides on the open end. Why not just legs like on the green island? Do you need drawers opening toward the dishwasher? The inspiration pics you show are more traditional in feel with things only opening on the sides. The look of having drawer fronts on the end and on the side takes away the integrity/authenticity/genuineness of the piece...Like you know it's lying to you somehow, since it's not possible for real drawer fronts to be both places. Does that make sense? If you want the solid sides on the open end if you want the drawers that open toward the dishwasher, I'd try to make those sections look similar from the side to give it symmetry. (Maybe just vertical framed panels in each place) Otherwise, I'd open the open end and support it with a leg like on the green island, and I'd divide the drawers equally along the side for the rest...either 3 equally wide columns, or cut it to 2 columns, letting the end toward the dishwasher be fairly plain...Again, maybe using framed, vertical panels, 2 or 3, side by side. I would leave it all drawers, because I went with all doors to copy my inspiration island, but for function, now wish I had drawers instead. I might actually change them, because my dh is my cabinet maker and is a dear enough to do it if I want.

sable, as you'll see I followed your suggestion about adding some books to the mantel. I also hung up the picture instead of just putting it on the mantel and now I'm not sure which version I like best. My husband, who has a good eye, has been hounded so much about the decor in the last few days that he told me he was no longer able to care. He's a man, a little of this stuff goes a long way, and he's been tested beyond his limits. The roses in the garden are from at least two years ago and are from early June, after we had some rain, I think. We did have 3 inches in the last storm but nothing since, although they promised us one storm after another. I think most of El Nino is going to happen in the more northern parts and up into south Oregon. I still hope for more; the rainy season isn't over yet. You might get more than I will here. That's a really nice area where you live. patty, I'm glad you like the flower picture back on the mantel, and I hope you'll also volunteer whether you like the picture better propped up or hung on the wall, and the area with or without books. These are important decisions! I'm with you about agonizing more about the little stuff, maybe because there are so many more ways to move small pieces around than large ones. I like your idea of a blue/cream theme, which would look very fresh and charming. Putting it all together, of course, would take some thought and work, but if it's something you're enthusiastic about it could also be a very creative, enjoyable process. If you collect blue and white porcelain that is European it is much cheaper than the Chinese stuff, which has gotten very pricey and you have to really know what's genuinely antique, because there are tons of fakes around nowadays. Mt. Helix is in west San Diego county whereas we're in northeast San Diego county, in a rather rural area, which we love. Mt. Helix is a very beautiful area to live in but I work nearby so this was the logical spot for us.