You could plant pachysandra around the base of your dogwood to keep you from having to mulch that much. The non-native pachysandra is a rather aggressive groundcover that would, in my opinion, compete for moisture with the dogwood (perhaps already showing signs of stress). The area is already in a severe drought with watering restrictions. I think a decent layer of mulch around the trees is the better option. Really, having to keep up mulch in this area is just a necessity; the area is warm and gets ample rain (when we're not in a drought) - causing most mulches to break down (enriching the soil in the process) on an annual basis. Don't think you can "save yourself" from occasionally refreshing the mulch. Is there a way can I avoid planting grass? Like Xeriscaping that will be low in maintenance, but as attractive as grass? Grass, when properly planted (the right time of year) and adequately watered the first year can be rather low maintenance. Zoysia is a very durable and drought tolerant warm season grass (so it turns brown in the winter - meaning no mowing in the winter!) and could be considered. That said, I don't recommend that you cover the area with grass - perhaps just a large oval of grass in the most open area, surrounded by mulched trees and generous beds of hardy shrubs and annual color.

I bought "floating" frames at a Michaels craft store. Google Michaels crafts to find a store. These floating frames are getting popular so you'll probably be seeing them everywhere soon, i.e. the box stores. Pam

White. There's white in the bedspread and lampshades, and I think it will look bright and crisp against the pink. Regarding art, the princess phase is only a few years for most girls. My daughter was in full-on princess mode from 3 to 5, but then entered a rebound phase where she started rejecting all things princess, or pink (at 13, she's now willing to re-add pink to her wardrobe). What about something like: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Funny-Me-Posters_i10506168_.htm

I’m sorry about your daughter. It sounds like you don’t have a choice. My house was built in 3 stages- 1803, 1817, and 1836. My floors vary by the build date and, heartbreaking for us, a rescue of the oldest part done by the second family to own it in 1927. Personally I would keep the color of the floors downstairs in a sympathetic replacement of your current floor. For true house historians, the first thing they all notice is the discrepancy of the 1927 oak floors in a house of walnut and cherry. I am forever grateful they saved the house, but I wish they had matched the floors to the original. If you can’t use the old flooring for another project right now, store it and wait for the right inspiration. We have found old wood in the little carriage house and in our attic. It awaits future projects. I am excited about your rescue of this home. Keep a notebook with pictures and document why you did or didn’t do something a certain way. We were given such a book.