I agree, that large lower branch on your side of the yard needs to be removed. I would wait on the other one, cutting both in one year would shock the tree. If you do it, make sure you do it in multiple cuts, otherwise the weight will rip the cut, making it look bad and prone to infection. Start like 5ft out the trunk and then make smaller cuts until it's properly pruned. This will open up your yard visible and for lighting...giving you a shot at growing some grass there. Otherwise, the main concern for me is the lack of terrain...it's just too flat and makes the view boring. This is why I like the island up at the front, to build depth...and I threw in a large landscaping rock for good measure. The white dogwood to the right should be pulled away from the house to avoid shading your window...this can be done once that large branch is gone. I wouldn't worry about the roots of that big tree, shouldn't be a problem at that distance. I would also like a wall of arbs or something to separate your neighbors house on the right. On the left, maybe a large red japanese maple (Bloodgood). The individual plants can be changed, but I think the main point is to build some layers to offset the perfectly flat yard. Shouldn't cost much if you buy smaller plants and let them develop. -Shawn

Nice you don't have to use that stuff there.me too.And, I always think every plants is ugly as long as it don't match it's master;a plant is beautiful just it match. Before any suggests,I should know where is your landscaping?how long time sun light?or where the landscaping face?any drain or irrigation problem? A panoramic shot is good.how post a photo here?first upload photo to any photo-hosting site.Photobucket and Flickr are examples . While at that photo on the site, look for a link to "share." Then look for a way of obtaining "html code" (don't select the thumbnail version.) Copy that code and paste it directly into your message here.

A couple of thoughts: I very much like moving the refrigerator to where the desk was. I'd swap the door location so that the fridge is at the end of the run by the cooktop. This will: give you landing space by the fridge, give you a longer run by the cooktop, put the fridge closer to the island for prep, and give you more space in the laundry room for either a bigger closet or a longer counter (for folding clothes) or some cubbies if that's also a mudroom. (In your current iteration, that space to the right of the door in the laundry room is unused.) Also you can add seating to your island in an L shape, so that people seated can talk to each other. (Not sure about dimensions for the breakfast area tho; you'll need to draw in a table to scale and see if the seating at the right side of the island has room.) In my mockup I didn't extend the seating to the top left, as you might use that space for landing space for the ovens on the counter, and tray storage / pot holders etc. below. Another thought: if you move the prep sink to the right you can have a trash pullout in the island. If it pulls open toward the DW, it will be handy for clean up and also accessible when prepping at the island. This post was edited by chicagoans on Fri, Jan 4, 13 at 10:14

I second Yardvaark's comment on the plants on the side of the house near the AC. They are absolutely too close to the wall. Whenever you buy plants pay attention to the mature heights and widths. If a plant will be 5 ft wide at maturity, plant it at least 2 1/2 ft from a wall or fence, otherwise it will lean. Fill in with annuals and perennials while it's still small. And while I agree with screening the AC, be sure to leave room for air flow around the unit. Crowding it with greenery will interfere with its efficiency. Adding trellis to the open space beneath the porch is the quickest way to cover that void. See the picture below. You could paint it to blend with the brick or match the house color to make it stand out.The terraced area off the back deck was an attempt to add level space for a sitting area. If it seems rocky it is likely because they put down gravel. Consider putting down pavers so the area can be used more often. The end of this terrace where the path goes down the hill looks like a good place for a fire pit if that interests you. The few shrubs along that terrace edge are a good idea to keep people from falling over the edge. Add more evergreen shrubs to make it safer.