Hi barbaralambe, how is the front yard landscape plan coming along? If you're able to, perhaps take a wider angle shot of the front yard so we can see what you're working with.

It makes me cross that people think they have a right to make some quite negative comments on this post. Masmccar76 put these photos on because she thought people would like to see a genuinely lovely transformation of her garden. Instead there have been some downright nasty comments. By all means make comments but keep them constructive. Houzz is all about is sharing ideas, not about being nasty

What kind of 'wow' were you looking for Dorcas? Colour, Fabric, Pattern? We also sell curtains though Curtains2Go, and we specialise in made-to-measure designs. These Pandora curtains definitely make a statement and the colours should add vibrancy to your grey (http://www.curtains-2go.co.uk/curtains/5896/pandora-lime.htm), or we have a beautifully bright collection of stripes and checks (http://www.curtains-2go.co.uk/stripes-checks.htm).

I would use some tall grasses. The roots would keep that soil stitched together well. They have little maintenance and look fantastic in the light and breeze.