Thanks Chookchook, but in fact the house is terribly designed and there isn't much choice. We have a single living area that is approximately 6 metres x 4.5 metres. The north wall (long side) has a bank of French doors placed centrally, with clear wall space of 1 m on the east and west ends. The east wall (short side) is a full wall of built in bookcases over cabinets, built around a doorway into our entry hall. The south wall is approx 3.1m long, and clear, currently holding artwork. The rest of it is a triple width doorway into the dining room. The west wall is the fireplace with wood heater insert. Mantle is 2.5m long and 1.1m high. There is about 1m clear either side of the mantle that currently holds wall sconce type lighting. The television, a rescued 50 cm old school CRT-style beast, with accompanying ugly digital set box top and DVD played sit in a pine corner wall cabinet in the north west corner. We have a horrid, old, modular lounge suite in the south east corner. It covers all the cabinets below the bookcase between the south wall corner and the doorway into the entry hall. As farmers only just starting to financially recover after 12 years of drought, and our kids finally finishing school and heading off into the real world, I'm just starting to find enough cash to paint rooms. Re-finishing the timber floors is next on my list. But in the mean time, the boys think they deserve a flat screen, and in reality, they do. But how?

HI Rach P Perhaps using large rectangular planters near the fence would be an option. Fill them with bamboo or a weeping-form lilypilli. The fence will be covered; the neighbours will be screened and the beautiful existing tree will have the soil to itself. Paint the containers grey, so they become invisible. Have fun.

For low maintenance in such a variable climate while preserving light access I think I'd go for some kind of a translucent decorative screen, with maybe just a few potted plants to provide some greenery. If they're not planted in the ground you'll have to be even more careful to ensure they get enough water. Or, thinking further, I've seen Chinese star jasmine used in challenging commercial locations, including as a screen around a cafe's outdoor area, it looks amazing and appears to be very hardy and copes with a temperature range similar to yours. Two drawbacks though, some people dislike the smell and it needs pruning so not low maintenance. It's difficult finding something that ticks all the boxes.

Unfortunately the door had to swing from that side due to light switches having to be a certain distance from water (shower). Plus I’d rather have the first view be of vanity and bath, rather than shower and toilet... Solution was to go for a hidden control arm (Glynn Johnson 410 series concealed overhead door stop) at the top of the door that bounces door back away from shower screen. Can’t see it when the door is shut. Plus didn’t interfere with water proofing/tiling.