You people are great! So much input and so fast. So here's a little more info on what I'm thinking: - Privacy: We would like to have privacy in the yard. The windows are not an issue. We are in the yard a lot as soon as it's nice enough outside and practically have every meal outside. The neighbors use their yard not as much but often enough, the lady runs a day care out of her house, and they mainly use their back entrance for coming and going. Right now it's so open you bascially cannot not say Hi. And while they are nice, I'd like to have the option of ignoring them once in a while without seeming rude. :) So I guess, we don't need a castle just more view protection from their yard/walkway into our yard, especially our sitting area and my hammock. A picture of the other side of the yard from early summer so you can imagine the whole thing. On the patch of concrete in front of the hammock is now a table with 6 chairs. As you can see there's not so much sheltering us from the other neighbor either, but it's not so bad. The impression is different because of the oak tree "ceiling" and the rose bush (hard to see, it's hidden behind the tree from this perspective). And I've had some annual climbers grown on 5 ft supports. They came with the house and are not pretty but for now they'll do. Also, the neighbor is never in the yard and we rarely see him coming or going... Walkway: The first thing I wanted to get rid off was this ugly concrete path, especially since it cuts the yard in half like that. But after I figured out how much it would cost to remove the concrete and then to put down a more appealing alternative, and into how many plants/other yard structures that would convert, my plan for now is to try to develop a plan around the existing walkway, maybe add arches for depth, a focal point in the middle of the pathway, have the "rooms" go off to the side of the path, and stain the concrete a dark color. No lawn yard: I'm really in a total starting phase. I went outside and measured everything yesterday. When I get it on graphing paper and some ideas down I will run it by you guys. So far the following ideas are floating in my head: Since it would be better if the pathway could stay, my thought was to go with the geometry of the space (square) and have square four rooms that go off from the path. The patio will stay where it is. It's convenient too because of the shade from the oak tree. I would like to make the hammock area into a retreat corner. Surrounding vegetation for that should be at least chest high. For the back right side there are a few things in my head but nothing concrete yet. It has the most sun. A sitting spot with a rockgarden. Or with perennials centering around peonies. Or... On the left side the front may be kept open for a child play area maybe with sandbox. I may actually keep the lawn there or replace it with a no mow stepable groundcover. But I would want to widen the flowerbed or planting area next to the fence at least a few feet. Then something to divide the "childplay room" from the back left. I was thinking of a veggie garden there since it gets decent sun, but I'm not yet sure how much we'll be here enough during the crictical months of the summer. It may have to be a yard to be enjoyed in early and late summer. If not veggies, then I don't know yet. All this hasn't been scatched out so I have no idea if I'm trying to cram much too much into our small yard and should depart from the four room idea. Fence: It's stained from what I can tell. And it's worn off in quite a few places. I'm from Germany and I don't know what people do with the fences here in this climate. I'll find out. Re: the privacy issue so far I like the idea of supports that maybe mimmick the shape of the pickets maybe just part of the whole length. I worry that posts and wires will not look good. I will also look into tall, narrow pergolas, but I find the structures usually too "heavy" for our little yard. Or just plain ugly looking. ;) But maybe there are some out there that could fit the bill. Karin, what would you do if the pathway was to stay? I liked your thinking, I just don't think it's in the budget... Hmh... lots to think about... Thanks so much already. And keep it coming.

Rooftop terraces are very common on newer townhouses and duplexes in the area I live (South Florida/Miami). We are in the process of creating plans for a new townhouse and are definitely going to have a rooftop terrace. Because the lot sizes are relatively compact, a roof terrace provides an outdoor space for entertaining and privacy that the small lots usually don't allow for. We have been living in a townhouse with a 3rd floor terrace for the past 5 years and haven't experienced any leaks at all. I am attaching a few photos of what we hope our 3rd floor terrace is going to look like once we are done. Probably not THIS extravagant, but it's help to have a vision!

Thank you Kate. Some quick questions 1. What part of the country is this in? 2. Is heat a factor? 3. Do you have existing patio pieces you want to use? what types of activities are you wanting to use the space for? Sun bathing? Outdoor Dining? Entertaining? Gardening? Games like Corn Hole etc.? Grilling? 4. How many people are likely to be using the space? 5. Do you need shade? 6. Is there water? 7. Is this a rental? What types of changes are you able to make? Example I suggested camouflaging the HVAC unit area with a fence. Is this something you can do ? 9. Is there a view from all sides or any area you don't want to see? Any direction you want to showcase?

Anything in pots or planters is likely to need repotting at some point. So if you use climbing plants that get all through the fence you will have to cut them off in order to get them repotted. And as mentioned with climbing plants being used on an architectural feature like a fence there is a need for consistently undertaken pruning and training in order to get the plants to assume and retain the desired size and shape. In addition to the regular cleaning up, fertilizing and watering that any kind of live plants used in your situation would require. So I think instead you should continue in the general direction of the fake fig panels, wherein you identify and implement some kind of material or product other than living plants that will still make it so your fence is not see through. It doesn't have to be something that looks like plants, just something that will produce a screening effect. And look acceptable to you.