lazygardens: I have measured that distance. The driver is 15 feet back from the edge of the pavement when trying to merge into traffic, so can't have anything tall in that first 15 feet. There are three large trees (2 Sycamores that are 30-40 feet and a mature Horsechestnut) set back 25 feet from the road. So that leaves just ten feet that could have taller planting on the way to the trees. I understand your idea of gradually increasing heights from perennials to shrubs to low growing trees to the big trees, I just don't think there is room to implement it. I have seen people try to fill in a line of shrubs between existing tall trees and that always seems to look wrong, so the more naturalistic idea does make more sense. Yardvaark: Yes, I did fail to profess my love of the house! It is lovely and I would hope whatever we end up doing adds to that. I would certainly agree that the existing plantings don't show off the house and the yews are certainly not doing it any favors, but haven't had the budget previously to deal with this. Old houses and upkeep, you know! Remember that photos always focus your eye on what is close up in a way that you don't do in real life, so the house is more visible that it appears above. So I think you are saying that you don't think it's right to try to make the front private at all? I do feel that these old places are sort of in the public domain. On the other hand, for fourteen years I've been able to go grab the paper in the morning without getting dressed. Now that the lilac hedge that did run the length of the house is gone, I'm finding that lack of privacy irritating. So what would you do to complement the house in your ideal world?

If your garage is like most, you'll end up with a bunch of stuff you may not be able to throw away in the household trash. Paints, antifreeze, etc. If that's true, make a call to see what you need to do with toxic wastes and the hours of drop-off. Make concrete plans for getting it gone, or you'll end up like the rest of us with that stuff still sitting there in five years. Set up a collection with a non-profit to haul your stuff away if you can do that ahead of time. You can always cover the pile with a tarp. How will you get items thrown away? Do you need to empty a vehicle to take to the dumping station or do you have room to wait for trash day? You may want to reconsider if you want to take the time to sell stuff. We use It's Deductible and took over $5,000 last year in non-cash donations. Much easier for me than trying to hold a garage sale and ending up still using my garage as a holding spot. I'm going to try not to put items in boxes again. I have a few more to go, but I've found things like painting supplies just drop to the bottom of a box and I end up either having to empty the entire box to find what I need (and leaving a mess again) or I go buy something I already have. I'm putting all of my garage items in pans which are only a few inches tall (like kitty litter pans) so that I can really see what's there, but it doesn't go all over the place. We downsized from a three car garage to a two car and still get both vehicles inside, as well as the bikes, snowblower, mower, etc. I don't miss a single thing that we got rid of and know I can get more gone (like that box of paints and antifreeze!) Gloria

Don't put anything off! DH and I used to let the kids trash their bedrooms and then we'd b*tch and moan but not really make them do much of anything. A week before school started, I deep cleaned their bedrooms. Threw out everything that was broken or really old. I organized everything---bought them some extra plastic stacking storage bins for the closets, etc. NOW---religiously---every night they are expected to clean up and put everything away. DH and I have been really good about not letting them say "oh, can't I do it tomorrow?" We don't care if they make a big mess when playing but we just remind them that whatever is taken out HAS to be put away that night before bed. I do the same for myself! I do not let dirty dishes sit in the sink overnight. Sometimes after dinner, I just don't feel like doing them, so I will stack them in the sink. But come 9-10 pm I make sure to thouroughly clean up the ktichen---load the dishwasher, run it, wipe down the stove, counters, etc. I just FEEL better when it's clean when I go to bed---and wake up, of course! The other thing I struggle with is laundry---namely, folding it and putting it away. I am TERRIBLE about leaving the clothes in the dryer and just getting them out of there as I need them. What I've done in the last few months is to sort/fold them on the couch while watching tv with DH. Then I have a distraction while I sort and fold, which helps immensely. I make different piles--ie, my closet, DH's t-shirt drawer, DD's room, SS's room, etc. We have all hardwood floors and I notice I really need to sweep every other day. Frankly, every day would probably be better. Stuff gets tracked in, the kids have sand in their shoes from the playground, etc. I try to sweep at least every other day. It is hard! I feel your pain. I am always amazed at how the house can from looking GREAT to a disaster zone in a matter of hours! It's frustrating!

Your room is attractive and I find the monochromatic look calm and sophisticated. Much better without the knickknacks. I don't think it looks impersonal at all. As it is, the wing chair is not part of the conversation area in the room, and to my eye it makes the room look a bit awkward or even unfriendly since no-one would choose to sit there. I suggest that you switch the side table to the fireplace side of the wing chair, and pull the wing chair as close to the sofa as you can without blocking the traffic path. It will be closer to the fireplace which is also good - it should look like an inviting chair to read a book at the fireside on a chilly day. Don't try to center it in the nook - I'd put a plant in the nook. For the same reason, move the love seat closer to the fireplace by a foot or so. I like the burgundy color but whatever color you choose, it needs to be repeated to look intentional. Maybe a burgundy and cream print on the pillows instead of the solid color, to avoid the spotty look. And a burgundy throw over the sofa or love seat and/or a cream throw over the back of the wing chair. Your pillows look firm and uninviting. Replace them with ones a bit larger, and with softer filling such as down or feather/down. Given the satiny texture of your sofa, velvet or velour pillow covers would look good as a contrast and to add a soft touch.