I like the idea of removing all the plants laying gravel or pavers, I was thinking that would probably be the best way to control the weeds. The fountain needs a new pump but will work just fine once it has one, I was thinking I might wait on that until I get the dirt covered. I'll have to move the fountain out of the way to do that and was wondering if it might be better placed somewhere else? There is an entrance hatch to the underfloor of the house right next to the fountain, it's kind of an eyesore but needs to remain accessible. I was thinking of getting a wrought iron table that would straddle it to make it less obvious. I was also thinking of getting a nice looking rain barrel to put at the end with the gutter. I want to strike a balance between busyness and barrenness, I'd like the fountain to be the focus without it sitting alone on a gray stretch of rock. I'm also wondering about the heights of things, should I look for some of those iron plant stands so that the fountain is not so much taller than everything else? Hostas aren't very well suited to my climate, we have to conserve water so I try to limit my 'heavy drinkers' to things that I can't live without - like veggies and roses. I'm thinking that Spider Plants will do well there, they don't mind the shade and are fine with minimal watering. I have some in a similar spot and they are happy and sending out lots of little babies, so maybe I'll just take some cuttings and see how they do. Thanks for the suggestions, please give more : )

We have a rainy day here so I've been playing....beginning to think maybe less IS more: I moved the other two prints and put them on the walls beside the FP. I am warming up to this now; maybe I was used to having four prints, and now that they are still in the room, it maintains the continuity I was used to. And......back to the chairs; a pair of these PB chairs has been hiding in the recesses of our CL: Pottery Barn Calais chair in leather They are almost brand new so not exactly a fire sale price; they are asking $500 for the pair. I think that's a little high, but assuming the price was right, do you think they would finish things off well? Or should I leave well enough alone? I'd purchase them only if they are more comfortable than what I have, and I won't know that until I see them. I can't test the link until I post, but in case it doesn't show the right one, the CL chairs are brown leather with espresso stain legs. I still really like the sconces but wonder if this is just as nice in some ways. I am now looking at my FP and wondering if the sconces would look good on either side of my mirror! But, no worries, that will have to wait for another day, lol!

I would clean the door well, and apply a scratch cover touch up in the color of the doors. The scratches are not that bad, and wont even be noticable. The black hardware should look good, if it matches in with other black hardware in your home.

I just realized that it might be a little too short in height. It's 31.5inches from the floor to the top of the mattress on my bed, and you typically want your nightstand to be level with it or a few inches taller right? Do you think any of these would look good instead? 1. White Albrecht Extra Tall 3 Drawer Nightstand 2. Hayman Tall 3 Drawer Nightstand 3. Everett Espresso 3-drawer Tall Nightstand 4.Prepac Fremont 3 Drawer Nightstand