Can you use a combination of shrubs with lattice panels or fence in the areas you can't grow shrubs due to the maple? You might be able to grow vines up a lattice to give you some greenery if you plant the vines in pots raised off the ground slightly. (If you leave them on the ground the maple will send roots up through the pots' drainage holes, as I discovered in my own yard!)

It's latin name is Equestum Aryense. I read about it on Dave's Garden. It said if you used any one but this plant it was poisonous. It contains silica which is better for your bone health than calcium. You use it in a tea.

I love your glass-door cabinet and think it deserves a spot that doesnâÂÂt compete with the fireplace, such as in your âÂÂemptyâ corner (facing fireplace). Any chance that the coffee table or open console could be moved to the corner and re-purposed to hold DVD player, etc.? It could then act as an end table for whatever seating is nearby. As suggested by others, I would try reversing the sofa and loveseat to improve the traffic flow through the room. Since the sofa is higher than the windowsill, I would pull it away from the window and place a high console table behind. Hopefully there is enough room along staircase wall to relocate the recliner. The room is lovely, but to me sees a little heavy on wood. I would consider switching the wooden side table for one with a glass top, and perhaps a substantial glass coffee table that could still function as an ottoman.

The first I heard of this was from Thalassa Cruso's book Making Things Grow Outdoors. Basically that's all there is to it. Get something like the lid of a paper box - a shallow cardboard box. Fill it with soil and plant the plants in that. Then ignore it, and the box will rot. Depending on where you are, the box may need regular watering, but the tree won't encroach for a while. IMHO, this is overkill for hydrangeas near oaks around here. I just plant them.