@ Design share: Thank you for the idea of the privet hedge- I like that, its fast growing, thick and looks pretty! THANKS! I will be looking into planting that in the fall. I still haven't decided what I'll do in the back, but as long as that fence is up, I'll be happy and can take my time making it look "natural." @ Tanowicki: I can't do a fence in the front according to our county's laws. I'm just going to stick with plantings to avoid any issues. @Jeannie01: Thank you for your sympathy! We moved out here to be away from neighborhoods... but then there are always other issues, like this one! :) I don't want to move... we sit on 30 acres with a short 30 minute commute into the city to work. In these past three years I've finally got my small vineyard planted, apple trees, blueberries, and a 1500sq ft garden. And we have a pond. We basically "stole" this property from the seller and its unheard of in our area to get what we got, for what we paid! I can't imagine having to start over with my fruit trees and everything somewhere else! We just plan to purchase the property when the neighbors forclose!!!! :) Plus I'm taking the stance, of "I was here first, I'm not gonna move, and you can't make me change the way I do things!!!" @Duluthinblumz: fortunately the driveway is on the opposite side of the property, and the trailer hides the cars when they're parked. They haven't actually moved in yet, but hopefully they will only have one car!!! I have done some research on Nellie Stevens holly and was worried about the deer... We have quite a few in the area, and with money being tight, I'd be pretty upset if the deer took down all of my hard work!!! Thank you though!!! @Missingtheobvious: Thanks for the info- the property line problem is on the south, however the Leylands are far away enough that we're not concerned with shading in the winter. Ours winters aren't too brutal here in NC anyway. And I know this sounds a bit harsh, but I don't CARE if my neighbors don't like it- I HATE their entire house! Haha! :) Thank you EVERYONE for the VERY valuable input! Hopefully in the next 5 years things will look nice, natural, and I will have my privacy BACK! And since I've been using this forum for the past 3 years, I'm sure I will be on in the next 5. Hopefully I'll remember to post before & after pictures to show how helpful you've been! THANKS!!!

Mind your viewing distance if installing TV on the fireplace...shorter distance to the higher installed TV=bigger strain on your neck, vision, you name it. Everyone and its tolerance..but comfort and function should come first in every decision made, so consider your optimal viewing distance etc. Frankly I'd go with the adjacent wall for TV placement, but I'm extremely sensitive to such things. I happen to like your fireplace. Nice room. Great challenge to have if you ask me. Yes, as many mentioned already, some sort of rough plan with dimensions, and listing your main expectations from your living, for your needs and wants, would help a lot with specific suggestions.

It depends on what you do in the office and how much you want to spend, but I would: Get rid of the rug entirely and leave the floor au natural, but add a desk chair mat under your chair to protect the floor. Add a few tall shelves or bookcases, depending on what you need them for (files vs equipment vs books) -- Ikea has some nice options that aren't expensive and are easy to assemble. I'd add colour to the window covering (different drape? coloured tie?) and then decide if you want art work/photos and/or a corkboard/white board. If your peripherals (like printers, etc) are small, you may want to consider something like Ikea's Kallax series, because they could fit in some of the boxes, while you use others for books or baskets. I wish I'd thought of that before I got the storage unit I did.

You might also consider pressed metal wall art. If you like music, you could focus on that theme: https://www.ebay.com/itm/164052298799 https://www.ebay.com/itm/TrebleClef-Black-Musical-Note-Music-Metal-Wall-Art-Decor/153839029144?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3Dd4be207d83a54d30b922d5c0faa0c77d%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D153580763612%26itm%3D153839029144%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/MUSIC-MUSICAL-SMALL-VERSION-WOOD-HEART-NOTES-TREBLE-CLEF-WALL-ART-DECOR/333137467780?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3D3bd6740fe0b540afb31fdbe05a838fa1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D153839029144%26itm%3D333137467780%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 You could also add wood related items, including an actual guitar or any musical instrument or even music related art made from wood. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sing-Word-With-Treble-Clef-Laser-Cut-Wood-Wall-Art-Decor-Music/333342757798?_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225085%26meid%3D5bc81f7047ee44c59138591ae6535dfd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D333137467780%26itm%3D333342757798%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 Or add pictures or posters (framed or unframed), even abstract art with that same theme. https://www.bing.com/shop?q=pressed+metal+wall+art+music+&FORM=SHOPPA&originIGUID=A06FB88FF1364E6A9BB53EE23FB0BD95  You could choose the beach or the mountains or race cars or sports or even outer space as your theme. What interests your family?