I've taken some more pictures just now and added them to the others. The 2nd floor windows bother me most because when I stand at my kitchen sink area and look out the window, I am actually looking almost directly into those windows. They are pretty far away but it bugs me considerably. I don't want to look in someone else's windows and feel creepy that that is where my eye is drawn. I can't actually see in them though - it's more a nuissance that the only thing I see when I look out the window is someone else's window. This was probably my first concern because it's a year round problem. The biggest privacy concern is actually my closest neighbour's window that I face when I step out onto my patio (more of a 3 season problem). The last picture is what I see when I step out of my kitchen onto the patio. I have been thinking about building an open lattice-like screen to go between the bbq (in the foreground but not visible) and the fence. I would then have something grow up and cover the screen. My concerns with this are that I don't want to block all sunlight from my neighbour's window and I don't want to inundate them with a really strong fragrance. Also, I'm not sure what the guidelines are for planting things close to a bbq. My main goals with a screen there would be to serve as a backdrop to the bbq and to block off the window (and the a/c unit), not to serve as fuel for a fire. The bbq should stay in that area because that is where the natural gas hookup is located. We've lived in this house for a few yrs now and this yard does nothing for me. I always feel on display whenever I'm outside and I am actually really uncomfortable being out in our backyard. The advice we received when we first moved in was to wait a growing season before doing anything. At the beginning of the second summer, we trucked in 5 yards of dirt and put in the shapeless bed along the wooden privacy fence and a bed that is too small around the patio. The patio has always been on our list of things to replace so I didn't want to put too much effort or planting material into a temporary bed. The soil around the patio is also better quality so it was easier to dig that bed. The chain link fence was put in after we moved in (our neighbours have a dog). It doesn't bother me as much as the other areas. I find it unobtrusive and the dog has never been a problem. It would be nice to have something of interest along that fence because when we sit at our kitchen table the chain link fence is more visible than the wooden fence.

I agree, always try to talk first. You never know, it might work. Ok, it probably won't simply because a considerate neighbor would have thought things out before installing, taking his neighbors' rights into account first. Clearly, that didn't happen. So, like mentioned, check laws for your area (bi-laws?). Here's some things to ask when you call your town hall (city hall??): - first, is it even permitted to errect a light standard? - if so, maximum height? - allowable distance from neighboring property lines - ask about laws concerning the "Reasonable enjoyment" of your property. In other words, what are the remedies for when a person is interfering with YOUR enjoyment of your property. A bright light IS a problem. - if this guy installed it himself, you may want to ask the township if that's allowed, or if it MUST be done by a licenced electrician and be registered with the town OR inspected. - if it needs to be inspected and was not, then *cough* ask the town to have an inspector pay the neighbor a visit. If inspectors are anything like here, it could end up causing this idiot more trouble than it's worth. Hope you find a resolution to your peace and quiet. :)

Hi no-green-thumb!~You really do have a lot of hidden potential. It has been a long winter; I am in IL, so I know how different winter and spring can look! Still waiting for plants to "pop" here, although a little green is finally peeking through. I did a paver installation in my landscape construction class. They need a gravel base, and proper grading. Their installation makes them more impervious to water than flagstone, which will heave slightly, so IMO flagstone is not the best choice for a patio right next to the house. They tend to be somewhat expensive. BUT the cost of installation of your existing patio included the flagstone itself, which you still have and can re-use, so don't despair! We have a flagstone patio in the far corner of my backyard, and I think that could look lovely with your forest backdrop. It is really not expensive to do, just labor intensive. Many nurseries have staff that might be able to do the job or recommend someone, so if DIY is not an option, you should get several bids before proceeding. Or, this is what I would do if it was MY yard... I think it would be best if you had a deck installed; one without steps, just a walkout that extended from the corner all the way to the purple fence to the left of your ac unit. Replace that panel with six foot cedar fence panels, to hide the AC from view. To add interest, stagger the fence heights. The deck would have an octagonal cut-out for the tree, and low wide steps to the flagstone path connecting it to the cement patio. The flagstone path would be wider at the steps and narrower towards the patio, but it would be at least three feet wide, four feet would be better. I wouldn't touch the stone edged bed of hostas and ferns, except to maybe trench the edge slightly, so that the stones "sink" and are no longer a problem when you mow. I really dig (no pun intended) the natural stone and flagstone combination. However, the wooden deck and cement patio are both more practical surfaces for grilling and eating, more sure-footed. I agree that the cement patio is one logical place for your existing grill. Since that was also expensive to install, why not re-use it? Have you seen these type of gazebos, they're a great way to define the eating area from the lounging/bar area closer to the house? They are designed to be taken down and stored in the winter. Here is a link that might be useful: Gazebos

I agree with GardenGal48 Good, experienced designers and landscape architects, can address the entire property. There are fees for renderings and usually additional fees for changes. Understand it takes time and money, to put project designs together. These designers are professionals. I personally do our design work in both plan view and 3D. I have to consider all the grade changes on challenging properties to drive the design. Because I'm the contractor and I work in the field, I know what to expect. I'm not a landscape architect or a true designer, but I've been around the block a few times. Landscapers I work with, will tweek a plan a bit and decide the best plants on the property. Sometimes hardscaping is changed a bit. Renderings are conceptual. I've done a few where my clients approve the design, and leave as is. Certain aspects of a project must be done in a particular order so you don't paint yourself into a corner, so to speak, or make it difficult for one of the contractors doing their portion of the work. This really comes from experience. Once you have a design decided upon, you can put it out to bid, as GardenGal said. Sometimes the designers work for a landscape firm, and can perform everything in house. Or, they can recommend a good contractor to execute the project.