Thanks for the advice. Re the path, since I'm a tenant, I can't change the major features such as the tree. I really wanted the garden to be a green al fresco dining area. There is a raised bed with stone borders that extends down the south side fence and wraps around to the west side fence. I wanted to plants these areas and leave the stone path in tact. Next spring, I was thinking about moving some plants to better locations - rose bushes to north wall. If I can I would move the holly to the east side fence. I'm not really sure what to do with the dwarf alberta spruce. It doesn't get enough light where it is. I'd also like to cut back the rose of sharon and the eastern hemlock (I think) whose branches spread over the east side fence. Re path, I was thinking I would add turf around the tree and between the stones. I would also add more shade friendly pants - ferns, hostas - to green the space. Re southwest corner - If I move the rose bush, I'll have to figure out what to do with this corner.

Thank you everyone. My house is very plain, old, and tired. I'm trying to make it "homey" and "nice." Once we get the "sun porch" finished into a "four seasons porch" it will be our main living room. (In maybe two years?) Since it has 10 windows, a pretty view, and will have a small wood-burning stove, I see us spending most of our time there. This green room will become a waiting-for-dinner-to-appear and visiting-with-the-girls room. Steph2000, Thank you; I love the floor. It's had a tough life and is original to the 1952 house. The same wood is in the hallway and two back bedrooms, now our "office/den" and "sewing room." The TV on the far wall does make the most since, but while the room is empty I've put a couple chairs on that wall and it really opens up the room. It's so long and skinny. Because of the doorways and all, there's not really room to make a full-size sofa work. I'm seriously thinking of having DH's recliner (non-negotiable), my glider rocker, and two matching swivel recliners or high leg swivel chairs in the room. I thought of a bank of low bookcase cabinetry along the back wall, the two matching chairs pulled forward in front of it, with an end table between them. I'll have to draw it out later on. BLFenton - the closet and front doors have a darker, reddish undertone. I had thought perhaps the TV cabinets could echo that to pull the darker to the other end of the room, too. Lukiirish - I would love to see your cabinets. AWM and NoSoccerMom - I love both of those styles, but I think I want wood...and I must have solid doors. The room is so small I'm trying to reduce visual clutter. Here's an idea I snagged from Pinterest, but I was thinking of making it from Hickory cabinets. Any thoughts on this. (And what if the inside was painted with a dark, royal purple that echos the mat of a photo near the breakfast table???) I want more room left of the TV so it doesn't seem squished like this one. My room would resemble this in that I have a large window to the right of where the cabinet would be, but not so close, and an open doorway to the left. I think you'll have to click on the picture to see the "after" shot.

What type of stain are you using is my first question?

Paint stores(like Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams) will be able to make the color stain you want. However, stain does not work over finishes. Old deck stains may have a finish included, so a new stain will not be absorbed. The final color you get depends on what color and tones are present in the current wood. Staining lighter does not work. It sounds as if you might need to sand the wood to get to the point where the stain you want will work.