Requesting Help From My Less Landscaping-Challenged Readers

I am hopelessly landscaping-challenged.  

Case in point: This is what my pool area has looked like for 4 years:

 I actually like the way the white fence bounces light back into the kitchen, but boy does it look unfinished and boring out there!  One of the reasons I have never done anything with it is that I feel like it would cost $20,000 to do it right (the fence is about 40 feet long). 

But the other reasons is I just have NO idea what to do.

 We kind of like this wild brush growing off to the left.  It keeps growing and growing and might eventually cover the whole back fence. Problem: It is full of poison ivy, and could take YEARS to grow all around.

 So, I think I'll leave it over that section of the fence on the left. 

But here, where the white fence starts, is where I need help.  Can you see the hill?   We built that up when we put the pool in so that the fence would be higher and give us more privacy.   But another problem, besides being ugly, is that it is awfully hard to mow.

 Here is a longer view of it. (What a gorgeous fall New England day!!)

 And where it meets in the corner. (To the right is another issue I'll get to later)

I've had lots of ideas on what to do, but am so unsure, so I thought I'd ask you guys. 

One, I could rip the grass off the top of the hill and plant flowering trees every several feet. 

Concern: they will drop their leaves (not sure that matters much to me in the winter). 

Second, more serious concern, what if they grow too tall and the pretty part becomes too high and doesn't block the house behind us anymore?

Another idea: A row of these (hydrangeas?) in a bed with mulch? 

Problem: they won't give privacy, but will they look nice?

What do you think?
Oh, and I don't care for arborvitaes, which is what everyone tells me,
so I really don't want to go that route :)

 This is the awful other side of the yard.  

Do you think I should take down the trees? That is the big debate!

PS - I had to share my daughter's outfit with you today.
I think she looks like the cutest thing ever and I couldn't stop squeezing her before she got on the bus!!

My little fashionista in the making :)
And God how I wish I had that bum!

So anyway, any thoughts on landscaping ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thank you so much for any ideas!!

My Favorite Deals From Across the Internet. 

Updated Daily. Sometimes hourly:

              

Ways to Subscribe:

The Amazing Work of Genevieve Gorder for Capel Rugs (And Other Goodies)

Do you guys know of Genevieve Gorder for Capel Rugs? Well, her designs are remarkable, and are offered on One King's Lane at amazing prices today.  I love these so much, and wanted to share (and I'm an affiliate, which I think you all know by now :)  Anyway, here are ten of my favorites. 

You can see them all HERE

This is my favorite and I want it SOOOOO badly for my kitchen!!

ALSO, I got an email from Wayfair today that their Lexington and Hillsdale furniture is one sale - and it only happens twice a year. I love both of these brands.

For example, this Lexington coffee table is what I used in my family room:

Click to see table

See the four tables in the middle? Those are them!

Here are some other Lexington products I ADORE:

You can see them all HERE

And of course I love Hillsdale as well, although I'm not lucky enough to own any.
Here is what I covet though!

You can see it all HERE

The Amazing Use of Color in Jamie Drake's Work

Do you remember seeing Jamie Drake's work at the Kip's Bay Show House?  I was intrigued, so I took at look a the rest of his portfolio, and was not disappointed. He had me at the first image with lacquer in it.  

I'm also  especially impressed with his use of color and versatility.  He uses a ton of lavender - not my go to color, I must admit, but gosh it look great in his rooms, especially with gold accents.   

Here are three things I'm drooling over that you can keep a look out for: the purple dining chairs, the lucite bed (!) and that closet (you'll see what I mean :)

Pretty amazing, huh?

Thanks for reading!

My Favorite Deals From Across the Internet. 

Updated Daily. Sometimes hourly:

              

Ways to Subscribe: