outsideplaying, I really like the bench idea. I was contemplating something like that. Thanks so much for the advice on the planters with height. I never would have thought of that. What about the stairs - Should there be anything at the top of the stairs (on either side) and/or the bottom? Tibbrix - Thanks for the ideas! I too like the grass idea. Out landscaper is coming back up hopefully this fall to help us figure out the rest of the plants around our home and he had mentioned something like that, or a bush. Our original rock plan for in front of those steps was supposed to look like this. We had to hire a local landscaper to do the rockwork and he didnt follow the plan so we are stuck with that big mass of rock in front. I just put a bunch of plants in because they were going to die. I did put a bush that should get some decent height to the right of the steps (under the window) to kind of hide that hole there. I'm seriously contemplating just redoing it all and having my husband do the rock the way it was meant to be done. Ugh! I just need one of you guys to come here for a couple months and help me figure all of this out. I am so overwhelmed!

So hard to please everyone. My husband asked me not to put the wooden table in the garage because there is no place to put it upstairs. He says the wooden table is an expensive one. why throw it in the garage. I bought a glass table for the lounge. what am I going to do now! He tells me to make two living parts and use both of the coffee tables :)) Goodness me ! :) Now I have two coffee tables. What am I going to do now ?

So many good suggestions so far my head is spinning. kristy, since you seem to be settling in on what you are liking so far with building in bookshelves... could you maybe post a new sketch of the room? Even use your original measurement sketch, just pencil in where you are thinking you are liking shelves going in. If you go with the fill the book nook to match the fireplace, the TV kind of has to stay on the same wall with low shelves under it. If you go with all low shelves, it opens up your options for where a TV can go. If you add in bookshelves, that will likely eat up a lot of budget and be more permanent.

Agreed! I figured I would get lamps once I come up with a good furniture arrangement and actually figure out what accent chairs/additional seating, and coffee table and/or side tables I should put in.