Plant in layers, based on height expectations.

Like Miss Sherry says, ultimately a sunny spot is best. Here are a few things to consider( I am writing this assuming that you are a newbie, if not skip); 1. Decide what butterflies you want to attract. Do a little research and find out what species are in your area. It wont do you any good to plant lupines to attract karner blues if they are not in your area. 2. Determine what species of plant attracts those butterflies. This is important. Many of us plant host plants. If you are not familiar with host plants vs. nectar plants, again do a little research (a good butterfly book is a great place to start). Often times you will not get certain species without planting host plants (question marks, zebra swallowtails, etc.). 3. Many of the host plants have differing cultural requirements (this does not mean some like modern art and some like art on velvet). This means some like wet soils, some like dry, some like sun, some like shade, etc. This will determine placement. 4. Most nectar plants, not all, like a lot of sun. Nectar plants need a good dose of sun and water to produce healthy amounts of nectar. 5. Place the garden where you can enjoy it. Next to a patio or provide some seating. 6. I wouldn't place it near a bird feeder. 7. It should have some protection from wind. 8. It shouldn't be near automatic sprinklers. Up to 90% of eggs and first instar caterpillars are lost and many of these are lost to rain. So, a good dose of watering from above can kill caterpillars. A good book to start is "The Life Cycles of Butterflies" by Wayne Richards and Judy Burris. Hope that helps, Elisabeth

As far as grab bars go my gut take on all of them is this; They look to industrial and remind me of public toilets - for the most part, cheap and hospital like. I sourced an excellent supplier here in Canada that can custom make them for me in any size. These custom grab bars are pricy but worth the money. I also received a package from GreatGrabz showcasing their complete product line and this company has some tasteful good looking grab bars - Are all these ADA approved - I'm not sure. Can they stable you if you slip or loose your balance? I bet yes. I install extra blocking for all my clients in the 50 - 70 year age range and we discuss this in concept stage. There is no need to install grab bars until you need them, but at the first sign of dizzy spells, new medication or an injury a grab bar can not only keep you in your home longer - it can save your life. Order your grab bars so that they, your glass door handle and towel bars all look the same - this adds to the upscale look and a cheap grab bar doesn't cheapen the whole ensuite. If your building a shower bench it's nice to pull up with a grab bar as you get older. I made the mistake of installing my last one on a 45 degree angle and this is not to code. I offered to change it (my cost) but my client loves it as is. I can't get my 83 year old Nana to allow me to install more grab bars in her shower (I fixed a botched install a number of years back when she hired a Medical Supply Store to upgrade her Burnaby home.) - she wants them when she is old she says.... :) If you can upload a picture of your bathroom layout it will be much easier to advise on best location. The ADA guidelines are very specific and have been time tested for sure. Extra grab bars or hand held location for getting in and out are key. If you have a shampoo niche a place to grab and hold on will reaching for shampoo is a good idea as well. If you want the best - remove the curb, build a wet room with level access shower entry, add in grab bars and built it right the first time. If you build your next bathroom to last into your golden years you will be so happy you spent the extra $5,000 grand or so to make it perfect. I have replaced showers with 4" curbs that clients could not step over - think about that a 4" curb in your shower is to high to get in. To shower with this bad hip involves being driven to the local pool to shower in a public wet room. Not me... I'm 41 and building my curbless shower as we speak. For younger and older couples alike who have the time and desire to shower together - Grab bars can only open up new options in bathing department - I'll leave this where it belongs - with your imagination! Here is a link that might be useful: Great Grabz

Kelly, I live not that far from you....your terrain, house, rock, etc. feel very familiar to me and I love your pictures! Your description in original post of what you like (traditional things but also the lodge look) sounds very much like what I am drawn to as well. You've gotten great advice on ignoring the people who want to know what your "style" is going to be....especially I love pinktoes' answers, LOL. Giving people one of those answers, moving in with your old stuff and giving yourself time is by far the best thing you can do for yourself in the beginning...just getting the house finished and moving is enough to deal with, without having to decide what your "look" is!!! That said, of course I have some ideas to throw out, LOL. See how you feel about starting with leather sofas and oriental-style rugs (think Karastan for beautiful and practical to live with as far as kids and pets.) That foundation can go more lodge (I like to describe the look as "rustic with money and a few nice things" LOL) or it can be pushed a bit toward mission/arts & crafts, or it can be pushed a bit towards a regional ranch/southwestern feeling...it actually all blends really well. Mountain lodges in the west, ranch houses from the past in the Texas hill country....both frequently contained oriental rugs and antiques from various places. If you like the general look of leather sofas and oriental-style rugs, then you can add furniture with more simple or clean lines (mission rockers, tables with a mission/arts & crafts or even a very rustic southwestern feel) or you can even add some more heavy or ornate antique pieces and wing chairs, or mix them up! I find that American oak (think quartersawn and tiger oak pieces) and old English style (think barley twist, Jacobean style) blend really well with this look. Do you like metal? That also works really well with all of these variations....think hammered copper lamp bases, or metal lamp base with stained glass shade...or copper and/or cast iron and/or pewter pots and candlesticks. Depending on what furniture pieces you are drawn to, and what decorative accents....well, as I said you can either push it toward more lodge, or more mission, or more regional ranch....or an eclectic mix with touches of each as it kind of all works together....but it will never look like you went to the local furniture store and bought a matched room full of furniture in a certain "style." ;~) Debra