If it were me (im in a wheelchair) id would use The "Gro-Eze" Telescopic Vertical Garden Tower System made by the Spud Eeze Corporation, you can plant 18 plants on the side and the top also has aprox 3 square feet more to plant in. Wow i had the BIGGEST CROP EVER IN MY 2 X 2 space. My Herbs were great on the side and i planted a Cherry tomato and 2 basil on the top along with 1 hot pepper plant. the top was a little tight but it worked great. It was easy to pick and take care of. Thanx a million.

If I was looking to buy a house, the picture window with 2 opening side panels would be something that make me want your house a lot more than if it just had 2 double hung. That is what I have, also on a north side, and with a covered front porch. Mine overlooks the 'front yard woods' and I enjoy it so much. Show off that Maple tree and the landscaped garden. I often wonder why so many newer homes don't have picture windows, but instead groups of 2 or 3 double hung. Are picture windows maybe 'out of style'?

The arch and stucco type seems to speak to a mediterranean or spanish style home. My theory is to not fight with the bones of a house. I would go with a smaller scale spanish-style fixture that fits closer to the ceiling as you do not have much height to play with. I would keep them consistent (not necessarily the same) but if you go with a darker bronze finish keep it consistent. Keep in mind the scale of the room when choosing the fixture. A really small room need a light fixture that is to the scale of the room.

You can go as large as to leave about 18" of floor around the perimeter, or you can wait until the bar stools are in place and see if leaving the same amount of floor exposed on all sides of the rug works. Painter's tape will be your friend in trying different sizes taped out on the floor. Don't forget to allow space for pulling the bar stools out to sit on them.