Barbara, I've read your description a couple of times and cannot quite figure it out. For example, I don't understand where the east gate is, or whether there is any street approach from the east for pedestrians. I don't even get where the north gate goes... is there a fence around the house that these gates are in? If I understand the basic problem it is to get visitors (who I presume all arrive by car?) past the side entrance to the front door. For that, it seems to me that you are looking at a whole bunch of complicated and indirect ways to do what a small sign saying "Visitors please enquire at front door" would do directly and clearly. I think if I were delivering a pizza I would prefer the clarity of the sign. I'm also not clear on whether by "trellis" you mean a pass-through trellis or a blocking trellis. Curb appeal is sort of a whole other issue. I'm not sure this can be answered without a picture or two. KarinL

Your past six years sound very much like mine, though you sound as though you're making progress instead of a mess like I did. Nonetheless, I'm finally making progress too, and what I find is that my attention is riveted by whatever is puzzling me at a given moment. But as soon as I figure out a solution, as you recently did with your new shrub, I stop noticing the thing immediately. For example, I recently moved a water barrel away from a spot where I was envisioning instead a large pot. Couldn't stop looking at the water barrel and envisioning what would be there instead. Once I had the pot in place, however, I virtually forgot about it - almost forgot to water the plants in it, even. But having said that, it may be something about the spot and the rock that do attract attention, for all the reasons SayPoint suggests. Specifically, I wonder if you have much other hardscape in the garden at all? You mostly are referring to plants when you talk about what you've accomplished - not to minimize that, by the way. But I find that even when plants (each and every one of which I value individually) are carefully and even perfectly arranged, they are basically a mass of greenery; there is very little architectural quality, and unless perhaps there is a big single flower or some such thing, there is nowhere for the eye to go. The greenery forms a background, and needs something to be a background for. Any focal point at all will do in this case. So I think what your very astute observation is telling you is that even if the plantings are perfect, the landscaping isn't done until some hardscape or structure is in. I doubt it has to mirror the characteristics of the rock pile; it just has to be something you want to look at. Even a piece of lawn with a notable shape might have this effect.

Try the Home Decorating Forum!

That's a wonderful staircase and could be a showstopper ... but, I agree, it's dull right now. - Hate the fan - Since the whole thing's already painted, I think stain isn't an option. I'd paint the bannister, the base plate, and the newel post ... black? Navy? Something dark ... and then paint the posts white. - Add a photo montage at the top of the stairs. - Must you stay with carpet on the stairs? If so, I'd like to see some color brought in. - Are you using the console table? I'd say find something with a little more pizzaz.