I've seen several pictures from Houzz and I think I like a relatively informal formal designs. Or relatively formal informal designs. Hope I'm making any sense. These are pictures I like and dislike, for example. LIKE the following pictures: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/garden-design-traditional-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~988515) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Denise Dering Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/north-arlington-residence-traditional-landscape-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1325555) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Dc Metro Landscape Architect Katia Goffin - Principal Designer [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lavender-mediterranean-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~74304) [Mediterranean Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2109) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/montclair-nj-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~624861) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Design-build Landscape Techniques Inc [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/beyond-the-gates-traditional-landscape-houston-phvw-vp~441427) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Houston Landscape Architect L3 Designs [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/front-yard-planting-design-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~307252) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Landscape Architect Summerset Gardens/Joe Weuste [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/entry-gate-traditional-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~127532) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/randy-thueme-design-inc-traditional-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~458790) [Eclectic Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2104) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Randy Thueme Design Inc. - Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/just-a-fabulous-place-to-call-home-traditional-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~2259081) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/exterior-traditional-landscape-new-york-phvw-vp~1457113) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by New York Design-build TR Building & Remodeling Inc. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/north-arlington-residence-traditional-landscape-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1325547) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Dc Metro Landscape Architect Katia Goffin - Principal Designer DISLIKE the following pictures: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/garden-design-in-greece-on-the-island-of-paros-mediterranean-landscape-amsterdam-phvw-vp~26097) [Mediterranean Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2109) by Amsterdam Landscape Architect Carolyn Chadwick [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/concrete-garden-steps-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~77002) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/remick-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~54229) [Modern Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2105) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Huettl Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/debora-carl-landscape-design-contemporary-landscape-san-diego-phvw-vp~129196) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Diego Landscape Architect debora carl landscape design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/woodvalley-residence-contemporary-landscape-vancouver-phvw-vp~368016) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by Vancouver Interior Designer Gaile Guevara [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/grass-terraces-contemporary-landscape-san-francisco-phvw-vp~66024) [Contemporary Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2103) by San Francisco Landscape Architect Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/historic-landscape-design-wilmette-illinois-victorian-landscape-chicago-phvw-vp~700695) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Chicago Landscape Architect Schmechtig Landscapes [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/italian-french-parterre-garden-traditional-landscape-los-angeles-phvw-vp~424076) [Traditional Landscape design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-landscaping-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_728~s_2107) by Los Angeles Landscape Architect Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design

Everything you've chosen is lovely -- you have a beautiful and tasteful eye. I read that you already chose armchair #1 and now I want to tell you why you made the right choice (in my opinion, that is): We have chairs similar to your #2 choice and reading that you have NOT sat in them I'd like to offer my (twenty-)two cents. Yes, they are deep and comfy for cuddling little children, curling up to read a book or take a nap. However, they are also difficult to get out of -- during both my pregnancies I could not sit in those chairs without either somebody helping me out or without first piling loads of pillows in the back so I was more upright. My father occasionally walks with a cane -- his stability is not great. He, too, cannot sit in our armchairs without assistance getting up or the pillows wedged in the back. I don't know your age / life circumstances, but it's something to think about .... Also, our chairs have wheels in the front bottom too, and they do wiggle! (We have hardwood floors -- might be better on carpet.) So we have little cups for them which look a bit ugly but better that than vroom-vroom armchairs! I'd also like to pipe on about your barstools: I happen to love a rush seat (love it!), but think the Pierre Deux barstools with their carving might, as kmcg85 wrote about the mantel, bore you after a while. I don't know, I guess based on all your beautiful choices I'm pulling toward the third barstool pictured. I'm not sure I can put my finger on why, but to my eye it just makes better "sense" with the other pieces / fabrics you've already selected (or are in the process of selecting). I'm really looking forward to seeing your space -- you have beautiful taste! (and I just might get some of your barstools myself!)

Hey Steph, Ya as far as laminates go I think it is pretty nice - I have actually seen them use it on Design Inc. Here are more pics but it doesn't show the counters too well and it looks extra shiney from the window but it is actually more on the matte side. It is not a straight edge and the seaming looks great. I actually bought it and had it installed by my brother in law's kitchen design company. I have heard mixed reviews on HD installers but that would be different in each area. Personally I change things up all the time and buying laminate gave me the option on new counters on a more regular basis and with 4 young kids we don't worry about them too much. Granite for me at this point was a big financial committment and also a design committment I was not ready to make just yet.

I took a little road trip this weekend and happened to notice a fence that made me think of your post. It took some time finding what the style was called, but I think this is similar. It is not solid on the bottom, but has a second set of pickets that are so close together, nothing from the bad neighbors could blow through. And the advantage to the open pickets is a well aimed leaf blower will clear your side of the fence and will simultaneously blow their leaves away from your fence without you having to move off your property. I completely understand not wanting to access the fence or a hedge from their side. I have neighbors like that, too. Ugh! From what I can see it's called a puppy picket. I know this is taller than what you want, but this is the idea. Another example (I don't care for the top portion of this fence, but you can see the idea of the double pickets at the bottom, with more open pickets at the top). I am linking because the pic is large and I can't seem to reduce it. Here is a link that might be useful: puppy picket This post was edited by olychick on Wed, Nov 5, 14 at 11:17