How much sun actually hits the dirt under the deck? I wonder if it is enough even for hosta.... If that is the case, how does a water feature sound to you? A little stream coming around the corner of the house with a pond for fish right by the door area would be quite nice in my opinion. You could enjoy the sound of water falling up on the deck as well. You could use rocks and boulders that tie in with your brick colors as the visual interest instead of many plantings, with a hole or two for potted plants in select spot(s) that can be switched out weekly to keep them healthy looking- you know- buy two of the same plant- bury 1 pot and all near the pond and the other in a garden bed nearby- and switch them pot and all, occasionally- yes it is putzy- but not much more than watering. As far as the hose- Do you think a hose pot would look better than a wall mount unit? Could you get away with using one of the coiled cork screw type hoses and just remove it to a box-bench with a flip lid/seat, or other container when not in use? In the pictures- your brick work is understated and quite beautiful- the color of the door compliments in wonderfully- I wonder if using a stronger color for the garage doors- deck posts and such would make the brick actually pop out to be brighter and even more appealing by making the area under the deck appear brighter than the surrounding area? I think I would limit the height and busyness of the bed next to the entry way- but I would highlight a statigic planting right where the sightline would impress you most as you open the door to leave- it could be 5 feet away- or 60 or 100 feet away- remember to keep to scale though, at eye-level. Visually- you would be drawn across the vista and not feel closed in. There are many new fun ways to use lights outdoors too! Imagine what a container planting at either side of the center garage door with an out door small spot light in each pot. pointing up the wall would look like in the evening and all winter! Bold drama of the light reaching up through the plantings making shadow play on the wall through the leaves- and a soft illumination of back light as the light bounces off of the deck above creating a soft glow all below. Or the same small out door spot lights pointed to the rocks in the stream near the door! That gives night lights a whole new meaning! I have seen these in the store- but I do not own one (yet). they have the bulb on one end- and a spike on the other with the cord coming off near the base of the bulb... You have a beautiful place there- I am sure you will find just what you think it needs- some times it just takes a little while..... Happy planning to you- Julie

That far wall is just painted an ugly copper like color, i prefer to drywall it up, there are no doors on that wall, it doesnt go to anywhere. The front door is that wood door where the boxes are in the picture. That is a swimming pool outside of those patio doors, that area is where the dining room will be though. Those sliding glass doors will be french door sliding doors soon. I would like to make the space a more formal living area, I do like the idea of a bar and then 4 chairs with a cocktail table in the middle, should I also maybe included a rug in the space? The problem that I'm having is how to actually layout the formal space, meaning where do I place everything in the room so that it looks clean, modern, and not out of place. The new front door will be white with glass, when that is installed the door that will open will be further away from the copper looking wall and the doors open outward not into the house, so maybe I should put some type of long modern buffet type piece against that copper looking wall?

Too much of a good thing. Not a good idea to get rid of the rug and add a wood plank look floor on top of the wood walls and ceiling. I would leave the carpet, and maybe get something interesting as an area rug to put on top for grouping around the fireplace if you really, really need something else on the floor. I have that set up in my family room, works fine and is great in cold winter on feet. I'd paint the walls or ceilings but not both. Why pay all that money for real wood and then not enjoy it at least a little. A little you might enjoy, it's just too much right now . . . And cuddle up with your furniture placement!! Do you like monochrome? If not, add some pops of color . . . if you like monochrome, then add some variations of natural colors with natural materials like metal and woven materials and some fabrics . . . something to contrast against all that wood . . .

Yep a to scale plan all measurements clearly marked is the only way to get help. Also a bit more info like is there a TV going in the space , how many seats do you need in the LR and the DR What is your style. That flooring is going to drive the bus so we need that marked to scale on your floor plan too.