Ha! I actually did originally refer him to an Architect. Result: Beautiful home nearly 3x over budget and a year of lost time. I will run the final design though our rater/design team but think he's done a good job overall considering the variables. Iam tempted to raise the pitch but the drawing doesnt show the 12" raised heel which should help the squat appearance. I agree Athens and will pass along the suggestion. I know they are committed to using stone for the fireplace and column bases so tying them together seems like a good idea but think youre right about it throwing things off-balance.

"What is the green plant in the foreground?" I forgot to mention, fill in all the blank space between whatever regrouped perennials and shrubs you were able to use, with groundcover. It could be something that already exists in the plot; you just add more. (I see something low growing at the foreground of the second picture but cannot tell what it is ... if a weed or a good groundcover.) Or it could be a new addition. I don't know what's there, or even where you are, so I'm not calling out a specific groundcover. Plants have to be moved at the right time and/or by the correct method, or they will suffer. Usually, with perennials, they will get over the suffering and move on. The stone curb has some pieces that look to be about 10" or 12" in dimension. It would look better if the entire curb had that uniform width. I'd reset the stones, trying to achieve that, if you have access to more of them. It would mean that some of the smaller stones get doubled up. I would also try to set their top surface with some uniformity. Weeds are always the bane of a bed that has exposed soil. Get rid of them as much as possible, up front. After the planting has concluded, cover all the exposed soil with a layer of plant-based mulch (wood chips, bark, hulls, etc.) Apply Preen according to mfg. directions. Preen is applied on a schedule so be sure to enter the reapply date in your calendar. I'm convinced this is where most people become dissatisfied with it and say it doesn't work. Also, it may not be as good during the first application simply because there will be spots missed. The subsequent application will bring improved results. My Lowe's sells a smallish Preen for almost $20. Home Depot sells a large tub of it (almost 3x the size) for under $30. I would recommend the latter as it is much cheaper per square foot.

A greige instead of a gray on the walls might be more neutral, but that depends on your style. White cabinets on top and blue on the bottom is fine if that's what goes with your decor. If you're talking about cool gray walls for the kitchen, they won't go with the warm walls of the adjoining room. Not sure where you want the gray walls - in the kitchen or adjoining room - you didn't specify. Gray walls are fine for a room that gets the warmest morning sun, but if not, a warmer color would work better.

hire a contractor that's familiar w/fire/flood, and knows how to deal w/insurance companies. Have him write you an estimate that covers everything. down to removing a sink, molding, electrical plates, ,,,blah blah (because insurance companies overlook that and those little jobs all add up) so the contractor will need to be familiar in dealing w/insurance companies. the contract will submit the estimate to the insurance, the insurance will barter and come back w/ X amount. contractor will advise them "well you missed this and that, so I need This amount". insurance will come back again w/number. back and forth they go. The contractor needs to know how insurance works. There is also a set standard of what the contractor can change you for everything so no need to worry that he's going to gauge on something like drywall or electrical. (oh, and you will also need a company that hires a "Pack out" company. They will pack up any items move them to storage while the smoke is cleaned from the units. they can sometimes use an ozone treatment to remove smoke from furniture. ) don't know if the ins. co. allowed the pack-out company portion. (if you need it) for the garage conversion, I'd have the contractor write you a separate contract for that. he will submit any plans to the city. if there was smoke damage, include that portion in w/the insurance, but anything w/the upgrade have him do a separate contract w/you