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

Thanks very much for all your feedback. Just to answer a few queries - the deck is directly outside the main room so the new doors open out onto it. The doors won't be French - they're just the only doors that the 3D planner I'm using had, they'll actually be large stacking doors. I've had another idea too which would be a lot more expensive but offers a completely different approach. This is quite rushed so doesn't show accurate layout of kitchen or anything like that, basically just provides an idea. Thoughts!?

Hello - I am a professional Interior Designer based in Auckland. I notice your posting is dated July 2018, and if you are still needing assistance in your renovation, please take a moment to look at my Houzz profile, and also my web page www.donnawhite.co.nz Donna White Interior Design - Classic Design with a Twist

I have a 1970s townhouse that we are wanting to modernise - especially our front entrance. We are trying to decide what to replace our front window which is yellow old fashioned glass with. We have a private front garden so no one can see in from the road however not sure if we should still have some privacy glass given it’s beside our front door. Our options are an obscure glass such as cathedral design or to put clear glass in and do an interior window covering such as a blind if we find we do want some privacy at a later date. Just not sure what would look best from the outside. Any suggestions would be welcomed!