karinl- Regarding your suggestion to "Move the focus outward"...I wonder if we are thinking the same area? The dirt? While that sewer line collapse was an annoyance and financial burden at the time, it may prove beneficial as it is forcing us to do something with that area. I think this could make a huge difference. What do you see in that area that would "enhance the way the property and plantings frames and embraces the house"? What do you think about building it up some in an effort to gain some privacy? Can you picture doing something with 3 small trees...redbuds maybe, with something under them...not sure what, yet. Patty- I, also, have driven around in search of a ranch owner who has figured out how to enhance his ranch home. So far, it doesn't exist. I imagine there would be many others interested in a discussion focused on landscaping the ranch home! There are many other "very specific" forums on this site...why not one devoted to landscaping a particular style of house? But maybe it's only us ranch owners that have this problem...Some houses do seem to lend themselves more easily to a great looking yard. stevied- I read your second post this morning. Your thoughts must have stayed with me while driving to work. I noticed a house that had just what you are describing...it looked GREAT! Nice idea...thanks. annebert- Do you think that "meatball" would survive if moved? Have had differing opinions on that. Regardless, it's gotta go. Like your idea of a "sheltered walk"...this yard needs some shelter! I need some shelter...feel like I have to change my clothes with the lights off for privacy...our bedroom and bathroom are on the front of the house. lynne_melb- Yes, the house is brick and we have talked about painting that siding. What color can you see with the stark white paint, though? What do you think about a light grayish sage green? I have no problem decorating the inside...some brave colors others might shy away from, but something about the outside scares me! Maybe because I haven't had an oportunity to choose exterior colors before...certainly didn't choose this white! My last house was all brick too, but not painted. Any opinions on color choices welcome!!! Here's some more pic's of the bushes on right side of house. Recognize any of them? This is the so called "meatball" on the end :) To the left of the meatball, are three of these Same...closer up All the way to the left...(on the right side) Same... Thanks to all...you have no idea how much I appreciate you taking the time to offer your thougts!

What an awful mess  One suggestion that has proven helpful to me in sorting out certain disagreements in the past. Go ahead and sit down and write an account of what happened. Record your memory of conversations, the days / hours he worked, etc. Keep notes brief and clear. Even the posts here are evidence of your intentions to create a safe entrance that added value and beauty to your home. You may have other notes, e-mails, etc. that refer to your project and your intention in hiring a "pro". The point of this exercise is to leave your options open. You may decide to do nothing, learn from the experience, and, as my Dad used to say, "overwhelm the problem with money". But, should you decide to pursue a fair resolution, having things in writing  even after the fact  will help. Next, make a decision about legal advice. The funny thing here is that you would again be accepting assistance from a pro. Twice in recent years I've needed a lawyer's opinion. My upbringing schooled me to avoid litigation like an unseemly plague, so the need was only pursued with great reluctance. In the first instance, one involving a need to sort out an issue with a government agency, I lucked into a lawyer who was willing to "coach" me in what to research, letters to write, and keeping a careful record. I paid her absolutely nothing. That matter took about 12 months to resolve. Courts, litigation, almost always take much longer. If I were you, I think I'd be feeling like I'd been robbed. We hire a pro to do professional work. It's an assumption, but I don't know if it holds as a legal standard. I can tell you that in gathering quotes from three companies that do paving work for a project at my home, not one of them suggested anything less than a 8" to 12" inch base. The area we wanted paved had been a gravel bed (previous owners) and my spouse wanted to know if that material could be reused somehow. Looking back, I suppose that was an open opportunity for abuse, which none of the contracters we spoke to was willing to take. As one of the contracter's put it, "Even if this gravel were usable, I want to do the job right from base to finish  We'll clean it out, start from scratch, and get the grade corrected in the process." Since then, I've read quite a bit here at the LD forum, so I've heard chapter and verse a few times on installing paths and patios. With very rare exceptions, and even those are debated, the base is the thing. Without it, the beauty, function, and durability of the finished surface is compromised. As you stated  for your entry you wanted things done right. That should have included the standard base for a well-built and beautiful entrance pathway. Hope things work out well and soon  Wellspring

Your school system certainly has more relaxed rules concerning drop off/pickup of a child. My town mandates a parent/caretaker be outside, at the bus stop with the child, for pick-up and drop off….no exceptions. If it is pouring, the driver will wait the extra minutes necessary to allow both parent and child to approach the bus. The adult must accompany the child to the bus. As for your door, I like a full view door. A new ,properly installed, door will need no storm. We had a screen door made for the summer, easy on/easy off, with the wood painted the same color as the door. Or: a full view door with sidelights. You new door examples show sidelights, but I don’t see sidelights in your photo.

Divide the room into two spaces. Place the sofa on the wall facing the front door. IKEA has solutions for an entertainment system on the inside wall where the floor mirror is now. Make sure you can swivel the t v, whether it be a table or wall mount. Now add the two chairs just about where the coffee table is now. Use the far end of the room as a dining area. You will want a rug around 3’ larger than a table (all around), so you could find an inexpensive rug…let’s just say 8 x 10 for that area which will cover a good portion of the brown rug. Here is a boho look for dining area. Biggest bang for your buck, the ugly front door you can’t paint: Wallpaper it!