I agree and might add to think about window boxes for the spring, summer and fall. Simple and can even grow herbs and vegetables.

This house needs some beautiful adirondack chairs with great cushions and pillows and table maybe some ceramic urns for side tables. I would plant some blue nikko hydrangeas in the front (they like sandy soil) and or some rosa rugosa which also like sandy soil.

Beautiful house. I think a pergola the width of the house with trumpet vine would be beautiful. Its hardy to zone 5, blooms all summer and likes sandy soil. If you feel like dealing with the annual prunings, Virginia creeper could be co-mingled with the Trumpet vine. It fall foliage is breathtaking, but it can get "buggy".

Yucca, interspersed with the grasses you currently have will provide blooms and evergreen foliage. It also likes sand and is hardy to zone 5. Sedum stone crop gold moss with its lime green coloring could be added as accents among the Yucca and grasses. Also consider under planting the tree on the right with sedum and grasses add stones for more interest.

Along the bottom of the deck, plant more grasses to disguise that gap. And, yes for the adirondack chairs, potted plants and perhaps a sun lounger as well.

Photos below in order of appearance (trumpet vine, virginia creeper, yucca, sedum):

Nice house, the deck looks fairly new, I would finish the desk with a cedar stain and a planter that runs along the front of the deck to ride the area gap under the deck. In that planter (stained with a cedar colour stain) some of the suggested flowers for your climate to add colour and warmth. I would add some cushions to your chairs using the colour pallet you use in the new flower bed. The wild looking grasses ad a nice look, but could be filled in with more of the same or a different colour ornamental grass...that may take some research.
I am not loving the heavy rope railing you currently have. If you are open to it, I would suggest a glass panel (to enjoy the view without obstructions) between a new thin railing.
Good luck and enjoy.

I love window boxes (so fun to change for holidays and the seasons-Im a lucky Michigander, too) but Im not sure how deep the deck is. Window boxes can definitely take some of your deck space. I adore hydranges which come in blue, pink, green, etc so you have some choice. Also, Im a huge fan of ornamental grasses. They also come in in lots of different leave colors but their beautiful tops (cant remember what it is called) can also come in different colors. Some change color during the season. I am by the lake but not on sand. I have at least 5 kinds of different hydranges and 5 kinds of grasses. There is nothing like the grasses moving in the wind! Just be sure you stay away from any that are extremely invasive. I also invested in heavy, white, Adirondack chairs that are from plastics. One of my best purchases as they dont need to be painted and are worth every penny! Good luck

Very nice indeed! I see three repurposed filing cabinets as free standing planters, in front of the deck. And maybe the house numbers in the same colour.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/file-your-cabinet-under-repurposed-stsetivw-vs~1554265?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u79&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery21

Another Michigander here! What lake are you on? So I love the idea of colorful adirondack chairs...all the same color and maybe introduce the American flag? Is there a proper hard scape path to the street or drive or beach? Can't tell from the photo but some thing in a larger scale cut stone, rectangular shape with sand in between would be great. I agree that the sand and grass is a great look so I wouldnt fuss too much.
Cheers!

I would stain the deck the same colour as the roof. Add bright red or blue Aderondack chairs with coordinating cushions and planters with flowers. One thing that perhaps makes the house a bit less welcoming is that you cannot see the door. It appears to be on the side of the house - where the stairs are - yes? If yes, perhaps build out a narrow pergola that extends from the door to the front the house so the eye is drawn inward. If that is not in the budget, perhaps a clearly defined path in stone with flower beds flanking it. Still - a lovely vacation home!

Love the above ideas for adding color in furniture and fabrics--also can do pots in varying heights for the deck. If you want more privacy, add about rectangular planters with trellising for vines on perimeter of deck.

How about pillars on the outside with flatrock and a roof coming out to edge of deck or part of the way out. I agree cushions or adirondeck chairs. Pampas grass, maybe a blueberry bush (love sand), and I think hosta's will grow in sand as well. Good luck! Post pictures when you complete it.

thanks all! Awesome suggestions.....going shopping for chairs today! I will post pics once summer is here and I can get some flowers....

Don't let anyone tell you differently; the rope is fantastic. I love, love, love it!

If you deck weathers naturally it will simply look old and dull without adding any character to your home, so you might begin by staining it a dark walnut, Jacobean, dark mahogany. The dark color acts as a foundation for everything else.

White Adirondack style chairs would be perfect.The white would play well off the dark stained deck while blending with the trim on the house. A few throw pillows would add a spark of color and would be especially effective if the same colors were repeated in the plantings. (think annuals)

From the steps (on the right hand side) to the asphalt path (sidewalk, bike path ?) you could install a natural stone walkway. The area from the steps to the deck would be a larger landing area with the walkway curving between the tree and the deck toward the asphalt path.

I'm uncertain how wide the area between the tree and the deck is (due to the angle of the picture) but if there is room ferns would be lovely beneath the tree. Three tall grasses planted at the left hand corner of the deck would balance the height of the tree on the right . Plant them in a triangular shape so they wrap around the corner of the deck. Sedges, yarrow's and other wild flowers would be beautiful while requiring practically no maintenance.

A few large rocks scattered about add a sense of permanence to the garden.

Here's a link containing landscape plants and basic easy to follow landscape designs for your area: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wb-nps-Landscaping-for-Water-Quality_250582_7.pdf

One last thing I want to mention is the windows. Every window covering seems to be different, making the outside look choppy. If you could add matching shades to every window ~ they could be raised during the day time ~ the house would flook polished.