Karin, I prefer not to landscape across slope. Flaw is probably the wrong word and I'll just assume it wasn't the intention. I apologize but I read your paragraph several times and was unable to interpret your comments regarding the second picture reference. I felt as if I was trying to decipher one of Ink's posts. Bahia, Yeah I went back and forth with the posts. I received confirmation on the wood type so we went ahead and put felt around the posts and buried them with 4" of concrete. The post itself is on a footing. The post next to the retaining wall isn't buried. Pls, Not sure if you're just making a general point about improper grade or not. The only thing I would change is that I'd have the area where the retaining wall is now cored out further past the post. I still might do this...probably not though as the wall following the line of the concrete and ending where the deck ends above looks good to me. I currently don't have any erosion issues and actually happy with the grading. At the end of the day I've gotten some great feedback and will take in certain elements to refine the plan. I'm feeling better about what I have and the changes I plan to make. I'll post an update in a few months. I'll leave you with this. This is what a professional landscape designer put together. I took issue with the boring straight line plantings around the lot lines but took some ideas from the perimeter of the home.

WOW - so much to think about. My head is spinning. Karenseb - When I first looked at your drawing I thought. 'How does a 4' shower and 6' tub fit on a wall that's only 8'?- then I read that you took space from the closet. I hate destroying the closet - it's the only thing that's actually finished upstairs but ... in the long run it could be worth it. I'm meeting with the builder tomorrow and I"ll ask him if it can be done and how it changes the price. It would be great to get more closet space too. I'll let you know after I see him. Thanks for helping me see something else. Olychick brings up another good point though - someone can take a shower, use the toilet, soak in a tub - while someone else puts on make-up or shaves. It's tough because there's no window and the only natural light comes from the bedroom. I put my makeup on and always wonder if it's too much or too little even with lots of light. By having the sinks area visible to the bedroom you get some natural day light but it's tough if you're on different schedules & waking up or going to sleep at different times plus - no privacy. I'm attaching one photo which shows the open entrance from the bedroom (same carpeted floor) and if you look, near the back of the photo, there's the door into the shower tub space. Maybe that will help to give a better perspective. I even went out and bought a tension rod and 2 white curtains to hang up so I'd get the feel of a door at the opening. I pull it open during the day and close it at night.

I'm all for using any space one can find to use for storage, but that wouldn't stop me from using this area for displaying family photos too. Actually you can have both! Since this is right outside a bathroom I vote to add shelves to store toiletries, extra TP and even paper towels since the kitchen is close by. Great place for a first aid kit too. So many small items from the kitchen or bath could be stored on shelves I just can't see closing it off with wallboard. In order to display family photos, I'd have the handyman remove the knob, pretty as it is, and replace it with a magnetic latch that will pop open with a push of the finger. I'd buy desktop frames in a size that would fit nicely with the door leaving a bit of the door showing all the way around. Attach them with the open end up so you could slide the photos in from the top with out having to remove the frame from the door.

Do you know what is inside the soffit or are you guessing? I'd want to know for sure because surprises there could get expensive or upsetting. I don't think there is a right or wrong on the half wall. What is your goal -- a visual flow or continuity between rooms or to physically open up the space ? Do you need more than one traffic path? Would you want to change the placement of the table (centered or closer to the kitchen to open up the living space)? Is what bothers you that the white wall jumps out at you with the softer green behind it? You can change that with the treatment of the wall. Does the half wall serve any purpose? It screens the table and chair legs, but not the top or your kitchen counters where the clutter most folks talk about screening tends to gather. I don't see any cookbooks showing in your kitchen and your baker's rack is filled with photos, so it doesn't look like you need a book case or anything more functional there. My kitchen, breakfast and family room are one long hall similar to the way yours would be if you removed the wall, so it wouldn't look funny to me. Some people wouldn't like it, but I've had some kind of open arrangement since we started a family and it fits how we live. I would hate a house where I was isolated in a closed up kitchen now, but other folks wouldn't buy a house that didn't have a closed kitchen. Have you looked into the cost of fixing the floor and is it worth it to you to?