I'm also thinking about taking out the Weeping Pussy Willow that's on the corner of the porch planting. It's hard to keep neat looking and those Japanese Beetles love it. I think a narrow columnar conifer would look better there,

Looks to me like you've got a good start to attaining conifer
bliss.Btw,great looking house.Your plants look rather closely planted.I will talk about the one I know best."The Blues" will want substantial space unless you stake it
vertically.Left to its own design it will sprawl horizontally and
develope considerable character.Children (of all ages)refer
to mine as Snufflelufagus.Its happy enough growing thusly
but in your area may want support along its length for
wintry conditions.Doug

Way cool house. Great job on restoration.

As it stands now the armillary is the focal point. That will change with Picea pungens 'Golden Feathers' out on the point. Over time this conifer will get quite large. I would move it to the unplanted area to the left and give it plenty of room.

Not knowing which way is east or west I think I am looking at 'Glauca Pendula' on the right. Appears to be to close to the border .I would set that back 3-4 ft as it will develop a skirt at the bottom as it matures. Keep the leader on a stake till it becomes to high for training. Then be prepared for whatever direction it chooses to go.

A berm and boulders will add character and get rid of that flat land look. Give it some thought.

Weeping Pussy Willow is over grown and needs to go. Give us a closer up front photo of that area as it is to hard to make a call on what if anything needs to take its place.

Islands are difficult to bring off with the right balance of conifers ,deciduous offerings and color flow. It will take a few years to achieve the look your after and yes you will make changes.

You have a good start.

Correct cultivar name: 'Pendula Bruns'.

Dave

my golden feathers is ... after ten years ... about 10 feet tall.. and just about as wide... meaning it grows at least a foot per year ....

you are over planted in this spot ...

as such.. i would move the GF this fall ...

ken

I agree on the berm/boulder idea and it was my original plan but I ran out of time and money last year and so I put the little trees in the ground until I could revisit it this year. The picture is less kind than standing there and looking at my little babies but it's apparent to me that I need to overhaul the whole area and concept. With that said, I am a little concerned about affording a landscape blocked berm or even nice boulder front wall defining the space. And how does all that work with a house built in 1895? I love hearing ideas and this will take years to really be what I want it to be so I'd rather be working in that direction. I imagine I need to move them all before it's all said and done. Keep the ideas and critique coming! (and thanks to those that have responded.)