Check their hardiness, but I love my dwarf English boxwood. They are slow growing, very neat and formal looking and I have not had to prone them so far. I planted them last Spring on the western side of the house (kind of close to the house).

Two evergreen vines I have, here in a zone 7b garden, are Gelsemium sempervirens and Clematis armandi. Have no idea if they would do well with you. The Gelsemium is extremely vigorous. The Clematis only arrived this Spring but is growing beautifully. I do not know if it will pull through a Winter, here. I think the hazard with Akebia is not merely seedlings, but it's ability to run underground and sprout many feet from where the desired plant is growing. Mine is only two years old, so has not done so, yet.

Thank you all so very much for the great suggestions and kind words! Let me get to work here: plants... Yes, that is a loft. The sofa has an Asian look to it, as does the table beside it. Your ideas are very unique. Thank you! Tracey, the coffered ceiling (actually is in the Great Room) paint color is 2-3 steps up from the wall color - same color family, just deeper. It is Porter Paints, and I can't find the name, but I think it is something with the word Bronze in it. If you go to a Porter Paints store, and get the card with Universal Khaki on it, it will be on that same card, only darker. I'm so sorry about your kitty. That is always hard. The babies will sure be a lot of fun! The blue in the bedroom is my favorite. It is Hatter Gray (Porter). At Garner Appliance, ask for Robert. Very helpful and personable, but you may need to stay on top with follow-up. forboystoo, the Parlor color is Restrained Gold (Porter). pricklypear, yes, the kitchen floor is slate, and that is one of the very BEST choices that I made. We both LOVE it. I do not seem to be able to put my hands on the particulars, but there are lots of different types to choose from in most tile stores. teacats, I do like the idea of a tapestry somewhere. I actually have another very large wall in the hallway/gallery that I think would be perfect, and I like the one you suggested. I had found another 2-3 on art.com before that I liked. I think your idea for a large sunburst mirror over that buffet is an excellent one. We had decided to put a mirror over it for sure anyway, but just had not yet seen the "right" one. I also like your idea of the pottery for the EC. I have several now that I could put up there to get an idea of what kind of size would work well. Thanks for the ideas and nice compliments. :) Shannon, go for it with the tapestry! Thoughts and prayers for your complete recovery. Thank you all very much for your help. This is the first house we've ever built (lived in our "starter home" for 20 years), and the whole thing has been a whirlwind dream for DH and me. Having somewhere to turn with questions throughout has been a Godsend.

Thanks everyone! I went out shopping for some more accessories today. Big, green basket and four cute fleece blankets for my kiddos to curl up on the couch with :) We usually all fight over one, lol. I saw the basket, loved it..and thought that would be something neat to put in it. I promise, they'll be over the moon when they see it :) Got a cute, little pot and put a plant in it to set on the table by the window. Moved a basket full of magazines over by the chair. Couple more pillows :) I'm trying! Tina, I'm not against orange. And I see where it could easily work in. But, having just ditched the red...I'm trying to hold off :) At first I just wanted creams, blacks, whites, different shades of greens. And just a few of that blue in the pillow you can see in the pic. It's a fun color, I'd never put with the green. But, I like it! And dh is going to build me a bookcase that will take up almost that whole back wall ! That little pic arrangement will go :) I can't wait to get that going. Hopefully in the next few wks. The blinds we got a few yrs ago at Wal-mart, and I'm crushed to say I think they've discontinued them :( I love them! And I was looking for the exact same thing this last weekend for our master bath. I ended up with something from Lowes, that I'm considering taking back. The wal-mart ones were a great price, and love the look! Maybe check your local wal-marts. Someone may still carry them?