After researching gardenweb, we've decided on three Magnolia Janes on the the right side. We're still stuck on the left side though. I'm leaning toward viburnums or dogwoods but there are so many choices. We've narrowed the criteria to the following: 1. Must have both spring and fall interest. We like "snowball shaped" flowers or something that has larger flowers. Since we already have redbuds and the magnolias on the right side, we would prefer yellow or white flowers (yellow would probably look best against the siding). For fall, orange foilage would be prefered but something that really stands out would be great (the only trees/shrubs we have in front that show fall color are oaks planted along the street). Winter interest would be an added bonus. 2. Must thrive in shade. This side of the house faces mostly north so really only receives late afternoon sun. 3. Ideally it would be around 6' to 12' tall and 3' to 7' wide. Staggering the shrubs is an option where a path would go between two planted closer to the house and one to the outside. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Is this your plan, or one of the material companies' stock plans? We are building a 2500 (3500 total) heated two story house in NC.The materials, all except siding was 65k or so. This was with Atrium vinyl windows and allowances for items like stairs and nails, etc. Even included sales tax. If this is not a stock plan from the materials company, it might be worth it to price the more conventianal framing method. These plans save time, but only during the framing part of the build. After the house is "Dried in", everything else is just about like the conventional method. 110k seems like alot, but I do not know west coast prices, might be a great price!

As a clarification, our house is 120 years old and the existing foundation is showing it's age. I doubt it's going anywhere, but adding to it is questionable at best. The idea of the mushroom footings and columns is to avoid adding stress to the existing house. The new piers would replace existing piers along the back wall of a one story addition which started out as a porch. My initial description is incorrect. Thanks mightanvil for pointing that out. There would be four mushroom cement blobs buried 4 feet under supporting typical 10" cement columns along a 14 foot wall. The columns would support 4' lengths of lally (exposed to the elements), then 4X4 wood columns would run through the first floor wall and carry a beam for the second floor 2x12x18 24" o.c. joists. The 4X4's would continue to the roof line and support another beam for the flat roof 2x10x18 16" o.c. joists. Maybe those are called rafters, but it's a flat roof so they might be joists. The structural engineer designing this is the architect, designer, and owns the contracting company. It's a design/build outfit that's been around a long time, and the city inspector relies on his stamp of approval. I'm concerned about minimal requirements. For instance, we had some options to upgrade from 2X10's to 2X12's for an 18 foot span. I thought that was a good thing. So as part of a $3,000 work order change I was surprised to see the plans had the 2 X 12's at 24" o.c. After he explained that his plan met Massachusetts building code, he wants another $300 to make them 16 o.c. and thinks it's a needless change. If he didn't have our 1/3 deposit ($8k) and a ($3K) change order to beef things up, I'd move on. I've only seen piers supporting decks, and some houses along oceanfront properties. Been searching the building codes and haven't seen much written about this design. Code is linked at end of posting. Any assistance or words of wisdom appreciated. I will pay attention to the bracing within the walls of the 4x4' columns as suggested above by early1. Here is a link that might be useful: Mass Building Code online

Never thought of the narcissist angle, but it does make sense. When you think how welcoming everyone over here was, with as far as one can tell little bother about POC, in fact it appeared like a breath of fresh air. Grandmother-in-law took her under her wing (perhaps remembering how D had been treated in the early days with little apparent concern for her welfare). Lots of smiling, glad-handing, beautiful wedding etc. How/why did it all go wrong SO quickly? At the moment yet another legal dispute in underway between the Home Office and the couple concerning their security when/if they visit these shores. They feel their family will not be safe as they are no longer entitled to round the clock police protection, and "Sorry Sir but you cannot hire the Metropolitan Police by the hour/day. That isn't their job." BTW Don't forget that Daddy has already given you millions of £££'s. You are not on the breadline. A short afternoon tea visit to Windsor has given him the realisation that he must 'protect' HM and make sure the 'right people' are around her; whatever that means.