yes,.. then: the arrangement of the front walk needs to be adjusted because it causes a formal aspect. It is far far to powerful an image to associate with relaxing or waiting. Therefore I would suggest that it be redesigned. Then, only then is it worthwhile to consider the other needs as this will change the dynamics of the space. I suspect that since you wish a gate through which one sees the garden in back and that people stop in the front, that you are doing this to impress passersby rather than to feel personally relaxing. I also observe that you have decided that the front yard should do the function of what a backyard is normally to do. And that this is made possible by the enclosed intimacy that the walls of the house and the brickwork allow... enclosure, which is not available in the back yard. And this opportunity allows you to avoid the function of the front area, since you do not include the front entrance in your garden plot plan. Also that you plan the views from outside to inside rather than from inside to outside, irregardless of where North is to support what you design. Design is top down, solution. If you are going to spend money or invest time, why would you spend it for others rather than to please yourself? How much maintenance would you like in 10 years? hours of work or money spent for someone? What budget? How long will you be in that house? I scale the front area depth, street to house at 6m maximum. Is this correct? What is the width from driveway to walkway. What trees are in the back forest? what species (pine, and spruce I see, what else are the deciduous??)(which pine?) for others,.. please be involved,.. how would could the front walkway be relaxed to accommodate /Henriks relaxed atmosphere that would incline people to wait for him...? I would appreciate other peoples input... edzard

renovxpt, I agree that the original plan was great. The couple of concerns that we had was the fact that crossing stepping stones in the waterfall to get to the lower deck might be a bit of obstacle, especially when the kids grandparents are visiting. I guess maybe you have to live on a hill like this to appreciate why I asked Chris to wrap the deck all the way around, and to include a raised wall edge. For one thing, I wanted an easy way to walk around the pool to retrieve pool toys or balls - without having to change into rock climbing gear. You don't have any idea how many basketballs I've climbed down that hill for. Once they start rolling they're going all the way to the bottom, which is over 100 yards of tough climbing. And secondly, I wanted to draw a clear barrier between the deep woods and the pool area. Inside that wall there can be sunscreen, pool towels, and margaritas. Outside that wall there will be deer, raccoons, poison ivy, and rattlesnakes.

Hi Pattycakes, thanks. We have been away so I haven't been able to test the wallpaper samples. The mirror arrived and I really like it. Family thinks I've lost it. "Well, you have for sure left your Shaker phase". Here it is just propped up. (ignore the chair and ottoman on the left... I have it there on trial for scale and function ... a white one to match the right side is on order). The Fornasetti "cloud" paper (also comes as a mural) comes in 2 colorways. One is too cold. One is perfect but quite subtle. I may live with this as is for a while before I decide to paper/mural or not. Also have a rug I bought in India that is on its way but as I look at the photos, the brick, rug, and throw from BA all go, hmm.

What are thoughts on putting the cooktop on the bottom wall and the ovens on that same wall? We could make that area wider if we took out some of the triangle near the left. That alcove is 32" deep b/c we wanted extra depth for the Fridge. I think we are at a little over 96" currently, which would leave 30" for counter space in that area. Most of which I would have in between the 2 appliances. DH really likes the Fridge on the left wall nearest the dining table. We could put the freezer on the opposite side and then turn the larder into more of an appliance storage. Some of the pictures above show larger; both wider and taller cabinets, that could be used for this purpose. As biondanonima suggested, I probably will also be spreading out on the island for baking and other prep work. So making the larder smaller and more of an appliance storage function should probably work. What program/software are you all using to modify the floor plan I posted? I'm guessing the above would be more clear if I could do that too. biondanonima: This is a multi story house- we have both a basement and 2nd floor above. Venting will likely be somewhat of an issue. The exterior wall is near the seating on the plan. There is also an exterior wall going to the screen porch. Directly above the kitchen is our bedroom with a balcony above the screen porch. I'm hoping the HVAC team will have a good solution for this. We do need the entry from the living to the kitchen - the powder room is right there for easy access from kitchen.