It's really difficult to answer specific micro-landscaping questions without the macro picture, and it's particularly difficult to do it when a lot of decisions have been made already that are suboptimal and now have to be worked around (my sense of you is that you won't take offense to that remark - please don't!). I've had the feeling with this thread that we've backed into discussing what your landscaping needs are, but maybe now that the big picture is starting to come into play we can make some progress. The last picture you provided finally takes things out to a frame that puts the micro stuff into some context. I'm going to in fact ignore for a moment the question you originally posted to address some of the things you've brought up in the interim in passing. For example, what should be in that foundation bed? That there is something wrong with those Microbiotas has been nagging at me but I haven't been able to put my finger on why. I think it is that, being flat, they don't actually do anything to anchor the house/connect it to the ground - if you have a flat foundation planting, you do need that height out further in the yard to frame it. Nor do they provide much visual interest for sitting on the porch. I mean, I love them, but I wouldn't want to stare at so many of them up close all summer. For that, I like plants that are alluring up close, great foliage or flowers, and changing as the days and months go by. I've also got just a patchy understanding of the planting constraints, specifically rocks/drainage in the front yard. First I thought you couldn't plant trees out there, but with the apple question it sounds like you can. If you could give us a plan view of where you can and cannot plant, that might help (and even if you only do it for yourself, that might be a tool that would help you make decisions). Somewhere on this forum, Laag has posted a list of questions to ask yourself in making a plan, I just can't recall where. And on other old threads you might see some examples of plan views in action. Reading some old discussions might even help you to pinpoint your objectives - sometimes the hardest part. The other thing that is bugging me - and I know you don't want to hear about the house here! - is that the frameless front porch is a special landscape design challenge. I understand why you have it, I think, but something about it looks unfinished. It is massively improved by just those few flowerpots in the first picture. My tentative thought is that such a porch, with a step-off look, would only look logical with a patio right below it to step off onto - not with a flowerbed. Or have you ever considered making the steps go all the way across the porch, not just the centre? I also wonder whether all that rock, which I love in theory, is too fragmented a material to use to anchor such a big house. That impression might go away when you finish the walls as planned and some macro lines emerge. In aggregate, I think that if I were to sketch a plan for your front yard based on what you've told us, I would (a) move the Microbiotas to cover the slope that you see as you drive up, so that they are seen somewhat from above and not just from the side, augmented by the boxwoods somehow, (b) put a couple of mid-size deciduous trees in the front yard, apple being a fine choice but not a maple (never be constrained by something that you have but didn't really want in the first place), hopefully you'd be able to include one that would shade your southwest corner in time, (c) make the foundation bed some sort of a walkable flagstone pathway with ground covers and perennials - assuming that in winter it's covered with snow anyway?, and (d) put something on the porch to edge it, if just those few pots. Hope that helps, and that others can fill the gaps or errors... KarinL

les917 - thank you so much! I appreciate any and all suggestions. I am always unsure about where to place furniture, etc. After the flooring is installed, I will post a pic with some various arrangements and hope you and others will give me some more advice on how I can move things around. I've always wanted a small desk in that area where you mentioned. I'll post a pic below of the part of the LR you were curious about- the wall area behind the couch towards the window area. After seeing this pic, you may have some more good ideas to inspire me. My concern is, if I move the couch, etc. as you suggested, that opens up a huge blank wall that goes all the way to the ceiling.. Good, bad? natesgramma - yes, I think area rugs will be helpful as well as always mentioning the step to new visitors. groomingal - that's a very creative solution. Other people have mentioned lighting. I should look into this "built in" lighting idea. bodica mentioned rope lighting, too. cliff_and_joann - sorry to hear your father broke his arm. This is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I can picture wrought iron that tied in with the same wrought iron on the fireplace as being a good solution. lukkiirish - your holiday is next..St. Patrick's Day! Maybe, you're a Notre Dame fan? We're on concrete. I do agree for asthetic reasons it's better to keep the wood all in the same direction. Why did the designer or builder of these homes in our area (So. Calif-1980's) ever think these one step sunken rooms were the way to go? Your idea is another creative one that is going on my list of options to consider. Dh does all the work and I get the hammer,saw horse, hold the tape measure,get the level, plug in the extension cord...etc. When you installed your flooring, did you glue down, float, nail or staple? Dh is still not fully decided between glue down or float. marybeth1 - Thank you for the link. I read through it and it confirms ideas about lighting, furniture & rug placement, possibly a railing or bookshelf install, and visual cues to warn people of the change in levels. Wall behind couch in LR Vier of LR from DR Beam on LR ceiling

I just found your blog while doing my initial research on pool builder (found it in your Yelp review). I loved reading about your experience and seeing the pics along the way! Thank you so much for the wonderful insight. I have to say that your pool installation has made me so excited to pull the trigger on our own, and now when I need a break at work, I go to your blog -- my new "Happy Place".

I have talked to a couple of friends who looked "in real life" and a few who have seen the same pics that you have seen. And the verdict from people who know me is that while the tweed is certainly quite nice, the other is more "me". I do really really Iove the tweed and it feels amazing, but I am afraid that I have to agree. So, i have taken a couple of additional pics of two different sample which also show the wall color since it wasn't very visible in the others. I swear these are now the final two! Remember that they will be bound on the edges, so the one on the left would be brown, and on the right would be black. Votes please? So I can put this project to bed and move on to all the many others I have in mind! Maybe I should create a new thread for those who don't want to wade through tons of discarded options.