Thank you so much for your comments,Yardvaark! I've been wanting to go tropical (tired of succulents and eclectic). I was worried about outgrowing the space as so many tropical gardens around town now have the attractive part of the plant above eye level and you just see trunk (e.g. Tree fern and date palm). Most of the plants in my plan are one gallon, and a couple are fives. The scale is 1/4 inch = 1foot. The curved corner on the left has an air conditioner, so no chance of symmetry with the opposite corner. As I look or walk out from my living room, it seems like the brick planters to the sides of the sliding glass door, as well as the planters on either side of the small garage door (opposite) should have symmetry or balance, but I'm not qualified to judge. I did ask for a lush wow factor, but was surprised that the designer included almost all of the many plants I mentioned liking, and then several more. Since this picture, I've replaced the fence and torn out plants. More pics tomorrow. Thanks again for helping!

Yes I think the ceiling fan is intended to be the dining area... not sure I will keep that as I don't want a breeze on my dinner! I love the BM Smokey Taupe I think that would look great. The floor is very cheap laminate and may go too (plastic sound). That is, is we decide to put an offer in on this place! I am more trying to envision it done, and us living in it. Also most of the places we are looking at are essentially similar and would require the same kind of facelift. What would you do with an ugly fireplace like that - get an insert, paint the "brick"? I would place the sofa off the wall and the armchair at a 50 degree or so angle to create a conversation grouping in the living area. The bedrooms are upstairs and are just boring square boxes...

I thought about that distinction..travel and experiences vs things..to me, it's also not either or, it's both. I traveled less that I wanted to, planned to, yet quite a lot; most of things I love were bought or found during trips, whether several hour trip, or travel to faraway places. So that things I love they remind me of travel, experiences, certain people in my life..and travelling somewhere allows me to experience, to see people I love, to meet new ones, and to see and appreciate many wonderful things as well. Not all of them I'll be able to snatch and take with me, but I'll remember them. and most likely I'll snatch something small too:) So to me, it's two sides of a coin..the coin being, well..a journey. And each journey will be unique of course; but the point is to have it..recognize it...try to have a blast when possible, since once upon a time that journey will come to an end, and hard to know what the next one will feel like. Probably very unlike anything we imagine. I'm not afraid of becoming old lady(yes, I'm vain and shallow nevertheless lol, and would like to still look like I'm 28..))..I'm more afraid of not having a chance to become one..:) That'd be a pity.. And I hope to live to see my grandchildren one day, to love and to hold, you know, and I'm pretty sure they won't find me or my place ridiculous:) Funny, quirky, strange, different from what it will be(what it will be then?)-maybe. Well it's all cool. We don't take our journeys alone; others continue it, and they'll take from ours so much, even if no things will be left, no actual place, and very little memories.

Yes, whites can be tricky what with coordinating the various undertones of your wall paint as well as those of the whites. I might suggest decorators white cc-20. It neutralizes the green in the healing aloe and enhances the pales blue/grey tones. I find the simply white too yellow for the kitchen and the white heron too green for the living room. Hope this is helpful to you.