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.

There are all kinds of ideas on Pinterest. Lighting, urns, mats, etc If you took a picture from further back, you may receive more specific advice.

The area below the little window on your porch is a perfect spot for a bench with a back. Check out the nice ones in interesting colors at Grandinroad.com. A large pot between the bench and the door with pretty flowers, tying into the annuals that you plant in your flower bed (New Guinea Impatiens?) would look great, too. And a simple door mat in front of your door. Your home looks great! (I am a edging fanatic and would also urge you to enlarge and edge the bed in front of your living room window so that there is a space in front of your shrubs to plant your annuals, too.). Good luck!

First, I wouldn’t do sod in this front yard. Too hard to maintain. I would put shrubs that match in color to your brick up high. Then on the slope low maintenance low profile junipers and moss holders for easy to care for greenery. I tried painting your bay window trim black but you can use your imagination. Paint all trim black. I put larger black modern exterior light fixtures for more light and interest. I added black pots with greenery to each side of front stoop. I would also like a pair of black slatted benches facing each other to flank entry doors. Couldn’t pull that off in this mock up. This will be showstopper home with not too much effort.