I think you can do a lot with thread to tone down some areas. The fence could be done in thread or with couching. Do some quilting around your objects and I think maybe that will blend things more. Had you used light, medium, darks for some of the items, thread could have made the textures. The way you have done it, do the opposite to define some of the areas. Just observations - I'm impressed with your attempt.
My mom is an artist - if this makes sense to you, what she would tell you is that you want to give the "impression" of the picture or the suggestion of the object rather than being too literal.