How do you plan on using the patio? Just some seating or bbq? If it was mine and I wanted a bbq, I would probably have concrete poured so the patio extended out in to the lawn area so I would have some open space overhead so the smoke would not want to settle by the ceiling of the patio. I would loose the lawn, replace with something cooler like wood chips and then a deep flower bed of plants that one could grab a clipper, a tote and a glass of ice tea and tidy up in 20 minutes while in enjoying the yard. For me in SoCal, it would be Salvias and roses. I did that combo here and just love the activity of all the humming birds zipping in and out. On the brick, I think a nice herringbone pattern would break up all of the brick you have but if you are just doing the running bond, I would probably just to a trim border of brick. The neighbors house is so close I think it might be too much as much as I like brick. Of course if you were going to use an outdoor rug in the covered part that would break up the brick anyway and then I would look nicer than the plain concrete Another thought to bring some height to the neighbors wall might be a pair of large terra cotta pots with a lemon and a lime tree (dwarf so they stay smaller)

If cars not parked in garage, what is garage used for? Oh, the usual embarrassing things. Mostly storage and clutter, but also my de facto workshop (table saw, workbench, miter saw…). Every so often I say “This is ridiculous!” and try to clean it out. But wait, I need that pile of snow tires, I still need my large tile saw until I finish the backsplash, can’t do without a lawnmower, where else can we put the bicycles, etc., etc. Very frustrating. Even if you don't really NEED privacy, I think it would make a better looking, more comfortable space to have some plantings/structures that create a SENSE of privacy, [snip]. Oh, me too! I did not mean to imply that privacy was not desirable. The way you describe the possibilities sounds fabulous and attractive! What kind of garden is the one between walk and fence? And you wish to continue with that activity? I wish I could say that the gardens are treated with benign neglect, but I am afraid it doesn’t quite rise to the level of “benign.” ;) It was along that fence that we had a stand of gray dogwoods from a previous owner. As I mentioned, they were very unruly, and we did not even like them that much, and our neighbors complained bitterly about the suckers. So I took them out over the last two years, and there is essentially nothing but weeds there now, except for one French lilac. If we decide to put anything there, it should be something low maintenance. I do not feel strongly in favor (or disfavor!) of putting something there — whatever makes sense! You didn’t ask, but, at present, there are the following well-established plantings. Along the side of the house is a bed of hostas. Along the back of the house there are ferns. Along the property line with the white house, there is a dense bed of tiger lilies abutting a dense bed of daylilies, with a couple of cute interlopers (clematis, bleeding hearts). All of these were there before we moved in nearly 20 years ago, and have survived under our shameful neglect! I am not tied to any of them. If you are an inexperienced bobcat operator, it will be likely that you will create much more damage to the grading operation (and maybe some other things!) than you will be likely to accomplish or fix. A word to the wise is sufficient! I will heed your advice on this. I will look forward to getting a grading plan done by someone who knows what he or she is doing! The space to the right of garage as you're looking from the house ... how is that used now? Great question! That is indeed our space, but it “feels like” our neighbors’ space. About 10 years ago, I planted a row of dwarf Korean lilacs. I am not married to these, so if you can see a better option, I am open to it! (Parenthetically, in a fairer universe, the wedge next to my garage would belong to the eastern neighbors, and the wedge next to the western neighbors’ garage would belong to me, but it was not to be…. The western neighbors do not use their wedge, so I did ask if they would be interested in selling that area to us (or leasing or selling an easement), but they decided not to pursue this idea.) Thanks again for your time, Yardvaark.

I’ve been shopping for a desk. Evidently not many furniture stores have a wide selection and they certainly don’t give them much floor space, if any. I also want an odd size, to further complicate things. I would so much prefer to sit at one before I buy it. Finally I had to shop “ backwards “ . I found the desk I want online and then found a furniture store that sells that line. I really prefer to go through a store so I have someone to call if there is a problem. Furniture and rugs are among the things that I want to see IRL, but it sure requires a lot of leg work. Otherwise it is Amazon for me. I do shop at my local hardware and pharmacy for convenience and to support them but for price they cannot compete with the chains.

We just bought a new condo and have mostly furnished with West Elm. There was a holiday weekend with 30% off everything and if we opened a credit card, we also go 20% back in gift cards. It was an amazing deal and we’ve been pretty happy. The bad news is that 2 pieces we purchased were damaged and needed to be returned and exchanged. We’re currently waiting for an area rug. We have a store about 10 miles away which is nice but we’ve had to go back and forth so many times that it’s getting ridiculous. So overall I have mixed feelings about West Elm, but if you’re just buying rugs, you should be OK.