I don't mean to scare you. When I read your original post, it sounds like you had a vision near the bottom where you itemized 1-4. One and two sound like you had a comfortable direction. The post seemed like you worked together with the landscaper to form a "vision" and then started implementing it. It now sounds like it was much looser than that, so there is a difference and with that difference there is reason to believe that you can have better results. You asked if I am a design professional. I am a registered landscape architect. "However, you scare me a little bit, Laag....as a novice gardener I wouldn't expect that the execution would be immensely difficult. Depressing to think that a lovely plan on paper could be spoiled in the brown-thumb hands of the wrong person." Implementation of landscape plans is actually highly variable. A layout plan of plant placement may not be that way so much, but you have a lot more in the mix than plant placement. You have topographic changes which brings a third dimension that spurs off a number of other issues. Sticking to just the aesthetic parts of those issues, you have the steps, terracing, retaining walls, and how the elevations affect how the plants visually interact (which is very different than if they are in a flat plan). A very good design can be drawn that takes all of this into account. But having that good design does not get you out of the woods just yet. The execution is very dependent on the ability of the person to layout the plan. It is much more difficult to do on varying terrain. That is not really easy for people who do it all of the time and is quite difficult for someone who has never done it. That is an area where a good plan can be horribly compromised in the implementation. Let's say that both the design is good and the layout is done accurately. Now we have the sculpting of the terrain to deal with. This is not easily drawn on a small scale plan with contour lines and very difficult for inexperienced people to convert from lines on a piece of paper to the actual contour of the ground, so a lot may be left up to the person doing the work to try and make it work. Let's say that is done well. Now you have the actual construction of the steps. You may have some well drawn construction details that show you what needs to be done, but a lot of garden designer's are not experienced in drawing up construction details and the added ability, time, and liability would drive the design cost up. But let's say the designer has provided good construction details. You still need the skill set to build them. Some things are fairly simple to do such as forming and pouring concrete. But putting together a stone wall takes more than being able to read a construction detail. It takes real skill. It is true that a not all walls have to be masonry masterpieces, but there is a point where rustic crosses the line to crude. Crude will detract from the intent of the plan. Let's say that the skill set to build the walls and steps are good. Now we can move toward planting. A #5 Nikko Blue Hydrangea might be called for on the plan. If you call three nurseries and have them each ship you one, will they all be the same? I can tell you that it is unlikely that they will be based on my own experience. This means that selection of a nursery can impact the implementation. Let's say you have found a good nursery. Now, plants are living things and they are handled at nurseries. This means there are variations from one plant to another. Someone has to know which plants are the healthiest, the right shape, and otherwise the best choice for this particular job. This does not mean that any other #5 Nikko Blue is not going to work, but it does mean that it adds a quality variation in implementing the plan. Let's say that we are able to do this very well. Our land form is shaped, steps and walls are well laid out and well crafted, and our beautiful plants are on site. Now there is the digging of the holes. Some will make them bigger and some will make them smaller. Some will amend and some won't. Some will amend with xyz and some with abc. Some will bury them 2/3 and then water them in and finish burying them after the water subsides. Others won't water them in at all. So, yes, implementation of a plan can take a great plan and turn it into a lousy landscape. ... or not.

Magpie...I'm laughing at what you said about your DH... mine didn't go along with it that eaisly at first. I had to convince him 'He Could Do It'... I told him how clever he was and knew he could...he did warn me quite a bit, that the glass could shatter. I WAS amazed in the end, that he succeded. I hope you and DH had a great fishing day. Sounds like a nice 'together' time. yachter...Yep...Kathleen will be making her way to her local CTS shop. Nothing gets past her...lol As far as those chocolate cupcake candles...when I go next time, I will look to see if they still have any left and will keep you in mind. They would look cute with your Chefs. OA...I've seen those chocolate bunnies in many stores.. They seem to be pretty popular this year. I first saw them last year in Home Goods, but now many other places. party music...keep the faith.. as I said to Luvs. Also, keep checking out the CTS site..they have a listing of where they are and future sites as well. MM...you should Register on Michael's site and have them email you their weekly sales AND coupons. This way, when you go, you can print out a current coupon. I do that, because they don't send a flyer to my area. Hi Marlene..Welcome. You don't want to 'Short Out' you PC with all the drool!! lol Glad you enjoyed my 'haul'! I didn't realize until I unpacked everything...how much SPRING I bought.. Guess, just like everyone else, I've had enough Winter already. Hope to hear more from you, and please join in and share any pictures that you have...We LOVE pictures, as you can tell by the responces to mine!! lol PUNK!! You've been missed! I know you've been busy and glad you had a chance to 'pop' in. Glad you enjoyed looking at everything. I don't think your tree will make me laugh...you are always too modest. I'm looking forward to seeing the hand painted eggs your friend gave you. Looking forward to seeing you back when you get the time. jane

I meant to ask about the sink divider! I was wondering if it might be related to limited range of motion of the water tap. Annie - being circus people and enormously rich I don't think they were bound by conventional good taste so the whole thing was very personal. John told Mabel her budget was 'unlimited' for the decor. Chandelier from Waldorf Astoria was hanging in their main court. She chose like a Venetian/Moorish/carnivale theme for most of the house. But they were also very influenced by Versailles. Most of the door frames and trim was either 24k gold, 14k gold, or black walnut. Just about every ceiling was painted. It was a treat seeing so many old bathrooms at once, I think someone said there were 13 in the house. This post was edited by robotropolis on Tue, Dec 16, 14 at 7:20

I have too many, and they're crumped together with lots of other styles..also with bathrooms.. I go by "do I like it" And I like a lot of things. But as I do love love warm contemporary- plenty of examples. So if you have patience for this mess of a board..I just wouldn't know what to choose and post here, also problem with posting pics lately-sometimes I get lucky, sometimes I don't. Un coup je passe, un coup je casse. lol https://www.pinterest.com/aprilneverends/kitchens-baths-and-all-that-jazz/