Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

We had a landscaper come in and draw a plan. Re-used the whole bricks into a grid pattern, and filled the squares with concrete. This summer's job is to build the bench seats around the outside for a seating area. The flat surface has been great for our children - they learned to ride their bikes out here, and love decorating it :-)

go to www.etsy.com and check out HAND made items by artists and crafts people. You never know what you will find and it is very, very fun to look and learn about the incredible things people fabricate. One nice item that comes to mind that I have seen on Etsy are "Beach blankets". I did not know about them because, I've never lived by water or the beach but, apparently if you live by water you always want a big, light weight fabric to use to sit on or to stretch on poles to shield you from too, much sun. I f there was a big "beach blanker" that you liked enough, it could be in your room as an extra blanket, throw or as a window covering perhaps. This would be a good way to remind yourself about your love of the water and surfing and the beach. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AMIZANTI?section_id=6832219&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3. Maybe this is kind of an exotic option for you at your age but, I think its never too, soon to attune ourselves to culture and the arts and interesting ideas from across the world. Also, on Etsy (not bedding) are wall murals. My client's son Max wanted to feel part of the woods so, I found and he and his dad installed an incredible mural. So, that might be fun for you to explore too. I am showing the one they picked here. We did not stick to any kind of bedding collection. Instead we bought a big combination of Max's favorite "Forest Colors". See bed picture for example. Think outside the box, have fun!

I would embrace the element, but I would get rid of the wood chips. I'm thinking back fist sized river rocks. Then I would get a tallish flowering tropical such as hibiscus and add a few ivy plants to grow between the rocks. Additionally, a small water feature might be nice. For me, the bigger problem with the entryway is the door. You have an obviously contemporary home, yet you have a -very- traditional door. I would want a wood door with some sort of art glass element in it. The wood would of course need to be stained to match the existing woodwork. The door will be some big bucks, but it would remain regardless of flooring changes. These two doors are not specific recommendations, but examples of the type of entry door I have in mind. Best wishes!