I love your place!! It has so many possibilities!! You mentioned that things look better when viewed from one side only. I would suggest forcing the perspective. Design your walkway, patio, etc. so that it runs along the good "one side". Unless the shape of the walkway is ridiculous, people usually prefer to walk on established pathway. Another idea is to use the focal point. If you want people to look "here" but not "there", use plants with brightly colored foliage or interesting form "here". Use plants that catch my attention. In the "there" spot, plant boring things. You mention that June is the big month for your garden. For other months, add bright color artifically with a brightly painted trellis or other small wood structure. For example, in my front yard, I want people to look at my door and porch. I don't want people to look at the 4' tall utility box in the corner by the road. So, I introduced contrasting color, form, and texture by the door. The utility box is surrounded by boring indian hawthorne shrubs. (I thought about not planting anything there, but the utter lack of landscaping actually attracted attention.) I hope this makes sense and helps!

Everything looks so nice and well cared for, good use of color. I love the color of Miss Molly butterfly bush. Do you keep it outside in the container in your zone or do you have to pull it inside a garage or whatnot?

If you want real privacy, where people sitting or playing in the yard cannot be seen from the street, then the most affordable way to do it is with living plants that grow high enough. Your local nursery can tell you what is fast growing and will stay healthy in your climate zone. Again, I would favor rose of sharon if at all possible, but see what your neighbors have. Willows are also very pretty. Most flowering bushes drop their leaves in winter, so if you want year-round privacy, you will need to plant evergreens. If you need fencing to keep pets or toddlers inside the yard, a privacy hedge won't give you that security. If you have children, avoid plants with thorns. Barberry is one of the worst, as are rose hedges. Be sure to ask your nursery about it because not all plants show their thorns until long after planting.

How long does this sliver last ? I find most times on our deck the sun peeks through for a bout an hour we just adjust the chairs . I think the 2 sail idea could work but really the sliver you show I assume it that strip on the seating which really is not a big deal .