taraleigh, You are correct that any work done on this slope should be done carefully. Young plants of Shore juniper (Juniperous conferta) should be readily available at your local box stores. There are also other types of low junipers which could be used. Plan to purchase enough to plant them 3'-4' apart. Lay a ladder on the slope and use this for footing while planting. Before you begin planting locate rocks, bricks or pieces of shingles from a house under construction. Plan to place these on the downside of each juniper as you plant to prevent the disturbed soil from washing out. In time the junipers will grow large enough to begin creeping out onto your flat area. It's okay to trim them back when needed.

I like the idea of the trellis behind that mugo pine-- it would definitely balance the larger window on the other side. I was also thinking that a vine going across the top of your garage would be a nice project for the future. The window box idea has merits but i'm not convinced. really need to see a photo from the sidewalk in front of the house that shows both ends of the house. get some big pots for the bottom of your steps for sure place one right where the little bunnies are and one on the other side. go for something colorful and rounded. you're in NJ so why not a small mounding japanese maple to replace that holly-- move the holly somewhere else if you want to keep it. and then some azaleas?? and bulbs?? chaste bush (vitex) would be something different to stick there. also i would add a new bed on the otherside of the diagonal walk to extend the eye beyond the end of the house. the flowers on top of the little wall are nice, but you need to use such "prime real estate" for a knock them dead specimen plant in a really great planter that you can move to a safe place if necessary. I really like the dark mulch, it looks so much more normal keep digging diggerb

There is a product called an Attic Tent. This installs from inside the attic and seals these leaky attic staircases..and keeps insulation from falling into the home when access is needed into the attic. Install is with caulk gun & stapler, not difficult at all. When attic tent is installed then access to attic is to unzip the insulated 'tent'. These are sold for energy efficiency as these areas are mostly uninsulated and as the stair cases get older, they become air infiltration sites. I don't have a working link, but I'm sure you can google it. Cost is about $120. Attic staircase in conditioned space should be sealed for air infiltration, and heat gain.

Sorry for the tardy answer. Tracks usually come in 8ft lengths but they can be cut shorter. Each track is hot and must be controlled by switches. There is a variety of sizes and styles of lights available. Suggest you visitsome lighting stores. Two available in my area of Texas are Lamps Plus and Lights Fantastic. Both are chains so they may be in your area.