IF anyone has any links to any photos of landscape ideas I'd love it. ego45-- We haven't had deer eat anything so far. I did see some very small deer prints on the driveway last weekend though. Our dog wouldn't allow the deer to stay though. The snow plow won't allow me to put bushes there. Maybe some of the steppables would work. Any ideas on which steppables? Claire-- I'll think about the brick - cobblestone idea. I've been learning hypertufa lately too so it's on my mind. I'd probably have to go with something to last a long time like you are suggesting over the hypertufa. Jant and ego45-- I haven't heard of Hakuro Nishiki. So I will look at it possibly for another spot close by. Same with Butterfly bush. Thanks everyone!

I would try to make a gradual stair type planting area. on each level place pots to grow plants in. In a small space I have made gradual plant steps. This allows for more space vertically.Putting tall plants on top then gradually putting smaller ones on bottom levels.

Thank you for all the great ideas! We're definitely going to go with a wood door and I can see that removing the shutters completely is a good idea, although I wonder if I could get away with just one pair in the larger window. I do want to get away from the brown though and go with a lighter color (maybe light taupe) for the entire house (including the parts painted brown). My husband would like to put some scallops up there like some other houses in the area have. We plan on replacing the wood fence with a brick wall. I'm also trying to talk him into adding a "porch" by replacing the bushes in front of the house (which are old and woody) with brick and putting a trellis in that area designed to look porch-like. I've seen some in the neighborhood that look really nice. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!

When you are set to upgrade, perhaps look at a mosaic finish. A decorative mosaic coating has the potential to look stunning based on the color of the cabinets.