Jan, I love the hayracks, too, but they have to be mounted to a flat surface with screws. No way around it because they are not made to accomodate over the railing brackets. On the back, the top horizontal metal piece is shaped like this _________^_____________^__________. Those 2 little blips up are what you screw under. (I've worked in garden centers so got to know some of the types out there). Just a note - Boston ferns don't do well in full sun. Your picture looks pretty bright. I can't tell if you have trees in the front, but without shade, the fern leaves will be nicely browned by July. Plus, they aren't hardy for the north central zones so us northerners need to treat them as annuals unless you bring them indoors over the winter. I hear what you are saying about covering the brick, but if you have small/medium shrubs in front of the railing, you'd have the variety of a bit of height and the brick. Ideas for shrubs that do well in both the Twin Cities and Chicago so they should work for you are: Spirea - can be trimmed to stay lower hydrangeas - Endless summer don't have enough growing season in our climates to get huge but they need shade potentilla - yellow flower barberry -both a cranberry and a green/yellow variety alpine currant northern grown viburnum (Emerald Triumph) ninebark - The Diablo species has a maroon/green left with red flowers. I have 2 on either side of our back door. Will get taller and would work at the left corner of your house lilacs - again taller so would be better for corners You could also go with sedum as they can stay in place over the winter but add a bit of height. What part of WI are you in? Anywhere near Hudson or Hayward?

Thank you tnfarmhousefixin! I agree the gallery wall looks off. If I do keep the family photos, it needs to be completely redone. And yes to bringing the pics closer together! We do not enter/exit through the front door. Like ever. We come in and out though out garage Front door if pretty much only for visitors/guests. Are you suggesting a table on one of the walls that flanks the dining room? I just don't think that will work bc it's a main walkway. However, I am interested in replacing the entry way table I already have. That one is just a little small. (It's "original Thomasville, lol, from my parents! Easily 40 years old:)

Sounds like you answered your own questions and know exactly what you want! Pretty house and congrats

I like your idea of wallpaper.