Hi Bobbi- no, I am not worried about my foundation, mainly because I do not have one, ha ha. My house, like most in this area, are built on 12 inch piers (high water table). This, I suspect, has been a good thing. The root run for my trees includes the area under the house. Helps keep excess moisture outta' there too! I figure also, when the day comes that a massive blue Norther' comes roaring down out of Canada, the blanket of warmer air under the house will help protect the trunks of the trees. Since Meyer is not grafted anyway, even if the whole top were ruined, it should still sucker up from the trunk. As for varieties..huhm...Meyer (of course), Blood Orange, Washington Navel(yuck), Browns select Satsuma, Owari Satsuma (the BEST) Seto Satsuma, Varigated Owari (pretty!), Calamondin, Buddas hand citron (I want that to die but it won't- ugly, coarse, never fruits). I also have a grapefruit from seed I just stuck there and it has survived for 2 years. I will say this...the Satsumas are by far the best choice for this type of work. 1) they are very cold hardy and 2) they have very flexable branches- you can mold them to your whims. The oranges on the other hand, are very ridgid. Lemons, about in between. The fruit from the Oranges have been, well, marginal. Satsumas...terrific! I must admit that the reason I grow them is simply for the show-off factor. To hand someone a tangerine that I grew in my yard (with regular dips into the teens all winter) is kinda' cool. BTW...mostly the fruit ripens next month. The sweetness is comming up now but the fruit is still mostly green. Not enough cool nights yet but they are starting. I have picked the tangerines in January,after many freezes and they have still been good. I would not recomend that though- they were just ones that were hiding.

The Techny Arborvitae could be planted in a row as a screen or standalone as a specimen. Mine are planted kind of intermediate to this. I have them on one of my property borders amongst other plantings (I did plant 2 next to each other). Ive got emerald green arborvitae and green giants and this can be thought of as intermediate solution to screen(more than EG, less that GG, also dense foliage like EG). Foliage is dense, a darker green, and elegant if I must say so myself. Love the (3d) look of the foliage and I get two tones of color as well. The color is real nice. Though I havent, if I could do it again, I would plant one as a specimen tree in a second. Depending on how much space you have/what other selections you have in mind other selections may be more appropriate(in regards to planting it as a specimen tree, lets face it there are other more beautiful conifers, though this is beautiful as well). Just thought Id throw it out there since they dont get mentioned much on here and Im quite happy with mine.

I agree the brick is the whole point on that style of house which BTW is one of my favorites. I usually tell people if you want to instantly devalue your home paint the brick and in this instance even more. What you need is what was suggested above and then get to work on landscaping that is waht brings a home to life .Play up what you have which is a MCM ranch no porches no pergolas just well designed simple structures that work well. These homes were always my favorite style and we finally have one. If you like the mix of the brick and cedar I can get that you could do something like this and BTW you need a walkway from the street to. Check out MCM landscaping so many great ideas to work with to enhance that home without turning it into something it was never meant to be.

I've looked all over to see how to respond to ppl graciously giving their ideas and Im just not savvy -My gramma can even do better than I! lol! I hope you see this! SnoBunnyz24--I actually have that pic pinned on Pintrest. That home is impeccable and has many interesting elements, as well as style, I love it. I did pin for the colors though and also am not sure if I can attach shutters (meeting with stucco guy late May), or even at least create a new wider stucco trim. Some windows have NO trim, only a stucco sill. The skinny leggy porch is actually wood, and I agree, hoping a moulding person can fatten those up! Not sure if storm doors are paintable--Ive been trying to find that answer--great ideas, thank you! housegal200-you are too kind! yes there are multiple surfaces!! If we decide to keep the cement drive, power washing is a GREAT idea I hadn't considered. We have been discussing just removing ALL of it, cement drive, pavers, different rock, etc. But I will certainly consider your suggestion, could save us some $$. Also, we only have one entryway that is drab and hidden under that low porch ceiling. I'd love to open that up somehow or at least bring attention to it. Im not sure my husband would allow a Portico, as drilling into a metal roof is a bit risky. but I like the idea so Ill certainly consider it! Thank you for your time.