ms1zebra, Thanks for your comment and interest! River-rock finished aluminum is a great surface. Its unfinished textured top allows for increased durability for work surfaces. It is resilient with heat, stains, oxidation, but will show signs of use if heavy objects are dropped on or slid across it or cutting is done on it with steel knives. As mainly a lighting manufacturer, we do not heavily promote our tile choices, so we haven't made much of an impact on the tile market. Perhaps when folks think of aluminum as a material, they think about unfinished flat aluminum sheet, which is not a good or even available choice for kitchen surfaces. However, our tumbled finish and thick castings give durability and a great balance between a classic weathered and modern look. Best of all, our aluminum is 100% post consumer recycled, non-mined, locally sourced, made in the USA. We are a Benefit Corporation (B-Corp), triple bottom line company with pioneering experience in sustainable manufacturing. We hope you'll spread the word if you like our product. For more information you can visit our website: http://www.eleekinc.com/tiles/ Thanks again for your interest.

Pyracantha (firethorn) is evergreen, with beautiful white flowers in spring followed by vibrant red or orange berries in fall. It lends itself easily to espalier--ing. You can make as geometric/formal (and flat) a shape as you like -- or leave it to a natural bushy habit. If you choose to paint your wall first, I'd whitewash it so that it blends in with the neighbor's house. Together they will create an innocuous, even shabby chic backdrop for your planting.

We are in the process of filling our gaps with pine slithers (they cam in different widths) You can buy them online. You do suffer from bald/ red knees when you hammer them in and then need to chisel them down so they are flush with the rest of the floor but it really does help. What you can also order with the pine slithers is pine saw dust with resin - you mix the two up and can fill the really narrow gaps which the slithers don't fit into. If you don't mind spending the time doing this I would recommend it yourself (especially if you're worried about costs), depending how big the surface is, and then have someone in to do the sanding. The varnishing you can also do you yourself with a normal paint roller. We also recently had a quote for sanding and varnishing and I think it came to £500 for mid size living room and 3 m length hall.

What about 6 massive pots? Two one either side of the bay windows and one on either side of the front door. (I too have a massive gray gravel drive way. Trying to plant through the gravel brings on a whole other set of challenges. Pots are just more practical, for me anyway.) I love those trees in the lawn area.:) And the green trim. Also, how would that bright area around the front door look painted a shade a bit closer to the color of the brick and stone areas?