desertdance - funny but it's not a "used car lot" just happened to be they were havning a bunch of people over the day I took the pic. Typically there's only 1-2 vehicles there although I still would like to block just about everyone from sight. I really like my privacy! tibu - I'll check that tree out a bit. I'm a little nervous about it being in the weeping willow tree family which my husband is extremely opposed to. I'm pushing it to think about putting in a dwarf weeping cherry! I agree with the suggestions that I would prefer to grow the magnoila as a tree instead of a bush. One thing about that window. I'm not opposed to blocking it because it's a window to a laundry/bathroom and it would be nice to have some privacy in there. While I can put up blinds, I thought that it wouldn't be bad to block the window with a tree a bit although I would not want it fully blocked. What would be your suggestions for what I should plant in front of the double windows on the far right of the house? This is a north facing bedroom. The area of the garden there is so big that it feels like it needs a tree but I don't want it to totally block the window. I was considering something like a tina crabapple if the weeping cherry would be too big which it sounds like it would. Am I wrong to consider putting a tree here? If I don't, what would I do with all of this space? I believe it's about 19' between the house and the garden edging and it's about the same width.

First remove the shutters they do not belong on any of the windows., IMO the brick is what makes the exterior interesting so I would choose a gray from the brick for the siding and no shakes anywhere. I think exterior work best with few materials As for the door I don’t think in this situation you need a storm door why not just a phantom screen for air flow in the summer. I would try to reside and see how you like it first I really discourage clients from painting brick , once done hard to go back .

@Beth H et al.. yes, and I'm really thrilled with all of the recommendations, everyone has style and it's great to see varying opinions. So I don't want to think anyone has wasted their time, I think down the road in the near future, we will go with something built out pretty much like you were suggesting early on. As we just finished the remodel within the last year, we are not up for building anything out or even tiling the wall at this point. We don't need new furniture at the moment (kids will ruin it anyway). For now, we were looking for something minor / superficial, if that's the correct verbiage. While we know now, that it may not look "perfect", it's where we're at now. That said, we don't want to do anything (now) with the fireplace, what we are open to is: some type of shelving (which would have to be shallow in depth, I think), definitely plants (faux preferably), artwork or like I mentioned (which may have gotten lost), is maybe B&W canvas print collage (I'm a part-time photographer and we have zero photos of our kids displayed). We are also open to putting a small corner piece to the left side, but it would have to be very small footprint as we only have about 12" from the wall to the lightswitch near the slider, but after hearing/seeing some of the plant options, I think we prefer that. Another note, we (I) have a floor subwoofer to the right hand side, you can see my wife's aerogarden sitting on top of it until we find a home for it :) Hopefully, that helps, again, I really do appreciate everyone weighing in and taking a lot of time for the mock ups. -Matt

I think the very talented Celerygirl has the size you need for the art -- whether it's three works or just one -- spot on. Also the feel of the art is perfect. The whole room is gorgeous as she has it -- and notice that there is colour there, in the blue-grey in the art and the vibrant green of the plant. So measure out the equivalent space on your wall and go looking for that. And the curtains are just wonderful. I certainly don't dislike the idea of brighter colours in the art, I just think that this subtle approach is so much more calming and elegant.