Thanks for asking Gioenne Rapisarda. Its been a while since I put this up! Unfortunately other unexpecteds claimed priority. I have been spending a lot of time off my feet, so time to fantacise and sketch. Have gone through heaps of possibilities on paper. Some look promising, many are far to eccentric but have been interesting explorations. Fence and screen designing is not a job I've been trained for but I seem to have a little bit of flair. The exercise has taken me to some very interesting internet sites and have discovered new materials. Found myself, for unrelated reasons, driving through an up market new suburb in Sydney where many new architect designed, privacy screened homes..no idea where that was but have sketch ideas from some of those really...designed... fences Do not want to make an overstatement here.....just a practical remedy and remove my lovely stable-natured the dog from the site of the antagonism. My best idea at present is to extend and convert an existing large fernery in that yard and not involving that fence at all. Just a tidy-up there. This would eliminate the danger to cocky boys hanging over it making mischief. The local boys in blue have been of assistance as well...."adjusting" the cheeky boys! For now have a temporary solution for my big black boy and he's happy not being teased. Thanks again for your interest Gioenne. Did you have a suggestion ? Something I could add to my sketch book of ideas? Input from other creative minds is always welcome.

John you are fortunate to have such a yard, although the tennis court does aspect as a divider breaking up the space, I think this creates an opportunity to create garden zones or rooms. Intimate garden spaces can be individual enough and still be integrated into a larger footprint. Your garden perhaps may be viewed from different windows, and have different aspects, therefore will have different requiremnts of sun, shelter etc. As the second picture appears to have a shed or structure, and looks more of a utility space, I would obstruct the view from the court, by planting a Boston ivy to cover the fencing, providing a delicate hanging foliage wi ever changing colours of reds and greens. I would do the same on the opposite fencing that overlooks the main lawn area, although I would create a large window effect by clipping or restraining the creeper from a large square in the centre fencing section. Tis will create a room with a view in the foreground, and with effective and clever planting, lighting and design elements, you will create an interesting viewpoint that will direct interest into the yard beyond the court. In the background, the timber fence I would plant your murray a hedge, so the small blooms will soften the look of the fence, paint it a dark colour, like domino by dulux so the foliage stands out against it, and gives an illusion of a deeper boundary. In front of that, centre to your created window in your fencing, place either a sculptural element, in the form of an urn, a formal topiary or statue, perhaps a small water feature with lighting, so it extends the perspective yet again. With the green hedges now creating the walls of your garden room, plant your chosen iceberg roses in front of that, and some informal plantings below. I suggest a bench to watch a match or two, and utilize the other garden Rea to house things such as your patio furniture. Garden rooms don't necessarily make a space smaller, rather they may invite you to meander through garden rooms with beautiful elements and relaxing places to sit. I would also like the look of manchurian pear trees along the fencing if you don't like the idea of a creeper.

Sorry to dampen your ideas about changing your home but I think it is a beautiful home, in no need of any changes at all, in my opinion! It is a picture perfect home with a lovely low maintenence garden and beautifully presented. I would not have bought the home personally, if I wanted to make the amount of external changes as you are thinking of, perhaps instead, use this home as a stepping stone and buy something already more like what you are dreaming of owning or accept the beautiful home you already have, again in my opinion of course!!

Your budget isnt big so you need to choose carefully what you plan to do. The driveway is fine and it is pale grey. I would pick up this grey and use your money to get new garage doors that are a darker grey than the driveway. The gutters and posts are too white; you could consider using a 50% reduced colour of the garage doors as the guttering and post colour. In later years, I would then change the roof colour to grey. But the guttering, posts and garage doors may fit within your budget. Forget the rest - they aren't important. Putting fencing up is going to make your front yard look smaller. I like the openness of the space.