Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. They were all great. We got busy over the weekend, and installed a cobblestone walk across the front of the house, with a semi-circle sitting area, fountain and birdbath on the far end near the meter pan. This helps draw the eye away from the electrical service some, but still needs more work. Maybe some large, tall potted plants or a large potted vine on a trellis? Also planted 3 dwarf crepe myrtles, evenly spaced in front of the windows, and a grouping of 1/2 a dozen dwarf indian hawthornes near the chimney/drive. Put in a long narrow bed of pansies under the low front window, on the street side of the cobblestone walk. I'm pleased with the progress, but am still working on the "privacy" issue, since none of this really addressed my original issue. However, it did make it more inviting for me personally, so that I want to get up there and do more now. I love the idea of a fence across the front dividing it from the street, and your feedback has sold my husband on the idea as well (he was previously skeptical when I mentioned it. Afraid that it would "hide" the house too much, which is part of my overall objective). Bananas and canna would grow well up there, and achieve the tropical feel I'm hoping for. Also like the idea of a ground cover creeping up to the low front windows. The windows face directly west, and get full sun 6-8 hrs/day. Any suggestions on a nice low growing or creeping ground cover that will tolerate almost full sun? Not sure if my utility companies will be helpful on burying the line. I previously asked the cable company to move their line to the carport (where the telephone line connects) and they refused, saying they were required by law to attach to the home at the electical meter pan. Moving the meter pan is not an option, so I kind of gave up and decided that we had to live with the overhaed lines. But I never thought about having them all buried. I can certainly call and ask. That would give us so much more flexibility. Thanks again

If you expect that what you plant in the window boxes to actually grow, you're allowing no room for it without covering the window. The boxes should be lowered about 6" to 8". Don't know what the existing shrubs are but they are much too close to the building wall. They should be about where the edging is located or on the other side of it (about 3 1/2') especially because of overhang and window boxes. Looks like maybe you have what can become a small tree off of the corner of house. I'd pull that out farther and reconfigure edging around it and to be farther from house elsewhere.

Vstavay- thanks for this! I really like the evergreens, repetition and making that bed in front of the house much larger. I hadn't considered that. I'm not sure if we can put a tree on the left due to the cistern proximity, but we really could use one. Thanks again!

It's a fact ... you'll not be able to get rid of the mess until you create a permanent, hard walk where there is now mulch. The magnolia roots are going to make it harder, but it must be done if there is to be a cure. I agree with others that something like concrete (simplest and cheapest) or pavers/brick are suitable. A walk laid out to acknowledge the tree will look and work better than one that doesn't. The bench only makes sense if there is a way to get to it ... i.e., use it. But because of Magnolia roots, it would add a lot of difficulty extending the walk to the bench. Therefore, I'd recommend using the bench elsewhere and having only plantings at the front of the house. Consider using a groundcover like Asiatic Jasmine to cover the magnolia roots.