amac, Annabelle is a stoloniferous plant and will spread from the base if happy. For the 15' hedge you don't have to plant 3 of them 5' apart. 4' will do it, and will take less time. Something like this, I-x--x--x-I where '-' is equal to 2' (each plant should be 4' wide at least in 3-4 years). For the fullness plant cuttings in between, for the lenghts of the hedge plant them on a sides. If you plant four in the same strip, you'll just save yourself time before it will look like a hedge. For the four plants it should be like this: I-x--x--x--x-I with about the same 4' spacing.

How much sun actually hits the dirt under the deck? I wonder if it is enough even for hosta.... If that is the case, how does a water feature sound to you? A little stream coming around the corner of the house with a pond for fish right by the door area would be quite nice in my opinion. You could enjoy the sound of water falling up on the deck as well. You could use rocks and boulders that tie in with your brick colors as the visual interest instead of many plantings, with a hole or two for potted plants in select spot(s) that can be switched out weekly to keep them healthy looking- you know- buy two of the same plant- bury 1 pot and all near the pond and the other in a garden bed nearby- and switch them pot and all, occasionally- yes it is putzy- but not much more than watering. As far as the hose- Do you think a hose pot would look better than a wall mount unit? Could you get away with using one of the coiled cork screw type hoses and just remove it to a box-bench with a flip lid/seat, or other container when not in use? In the pictures- your brick work is understated and quite beautiful- the color of the door compliments in wonderfully- I wonder if using a stronger color for the garage doors- deck posts and such would make the brick actually pop out to be brighter and even more appealing by making the area under the deck appear brighter than the surrounding area? I think I would limit the height and busyness of the bed next to the entry way- but I would highlight a statigic planting right where the sightline would impress you most as you open the door to leave- it could be 5 feet away- or 60 or 100 feet away- remember to keep to scale though, at eye-level. Visually- you would be drawn across the vista and not feel closed in. There are many new fun ways to use lights outdoors too! Imagine what a container planting at either side of the center garage door with an out door small spot light in each pot. pointing up the wall would look like in the evening and all winter! Bold drama of the light reaching up through the plantings making shadow play on the wall through the leaves- and a soft illumination of back light as the light bounces off of the deck above creating a soft glow all below. Or the same small out door spot lights pointed to the rocks in the stream near the door! That gives night lights a whole new meaning! I have seen these in the store- but I do not own one (yet). they have the bulb on one end- and a spike on the other with the cord coming off near the base of the bulb... You have a beautiful place there- I am sure you will find just what you think it needs- some times it just takes a little while..... Happy planning to you- Julie

Thanks very much for the recommendation guadalupe! I'll take a closer look after work. Unfortunatly, the 7" hole is not centered above the hood, but I think I can make some type of exstension to cover the ducting. I took a quick look at that model and have to admit I've not read anything good or bad about those fans and oil cups that need to be emptied. Sounds kind of like a hybrid VAH in a way. Thought I would go with a baffle type filter, but I'll have to look into this style. I wonder about the 22" depth too. Do you have this type or have any experience with it? Thanks again!

I am new to this site so I will try to scan my layout and figure out to post the proposed design. I appreciate the comments and suggestions. Is there a way to directly respond to each posting or is posting like this the only way? I had really hoped to avoid having the microwave on the counter because my current counters have basically been "unusable" for decades because they are storage space instead of work space. The model ankh posted is interesting: it might eliminate the need for a 28 inch corner cabinet. My big concern is the size of that cabinet especially after I drew it out on tag-board. There are several models that will fit on a 12 inch deep shelf...my current one will, and I am okay with the lack of options in a small microwave. My husband is the one with "issues" with the blind corners and corner access in a 90 degree corner. I have read all the threads on them here. I was hoping to find a solution that would appease him and eliminate a 28" wide corner cabinet because of my concerns about its size. Does anyone have a corner cabinet this size? Does anyone have a corner cabinet that is 16-18" wide? Does anyone have a microwave in a lower cabinet...mine would have to be in the small island...I only have two places other than the corner with more than 12 inches of space. I need some input on how these option work and effective use of space. Today was my first day of back-to-school; I have a meet-the-teacher open house tonight but will try to post scanned plans when I get back. This post was edited by Ranton on Wed, Aug 28, 13 at 23:24