What kind of trees so you have? They seem to dominate the space - the shade is probably nice in summer, but does it mean you can't grow anything else? To me, everything at the moment is either tree high or ground level - you need some plants at different levels, arranged to draw the eye around things. If the trellis is strong enough, consider a vertical garden of many different pots there - possibly not arranged in symmetrical rows. Or ditch the trellis and buy one of the vertical garden systems/frames from the big hardware stores. You can either go with decorative flowers, useful small edibles (herbs, strawberries, spring onions, lettuce etc) or a mix of both . . . In front of the window, a big planter box or a three or more different pots of various heights - maybe a big strelitzia (they're hardy and colourful) with lavender or cordylines . . . (Lavender always attracts a LOT of bees through summer - might not be the best thing for your little helper!) If you use the chiminea a lot, well, then it stays, but if not - consider gumtree or ebay, and if possible constructing a rockery-type bed around the base of the tree, with natives like lomandra or blue flax-lilies or, if you prefer exotics, things like hellebores and cliveas (my mum loved her hellebores) . . . might even be possible to squeeze them in along the back fence and keep the chiminea . . . But I would think about removing some of the astroturf (presumably on concrete?) and allowing plants to grow down into the ground. I don't think the bed itself should be all at ground level - a rockery, with some decent-sized rocks (half a metre or more), will break up the levels.

Great article Living Holmes Design.... we are building a new house this year and were wondering what to put on one of our fences so the timing of your article was gold. I think a vertical garden on one fence will help to beautify the space and also provide privacy :) Love the idea! Thank you for the information.

Strong geometry, cool blue and glass and a plain lawn background. to fill the diamond with bush is going to cancel out its strength. But something different to the slightly sterile design compilation … if the finance is there, get two or three massive raw rock slabs and one spectacular architectural tree. resist going vertical .. layer them horizontally to slightly overlap or break the hard lines of the diamond, but not to obscure it. Then choose you vertical with a sculptural tree. There are vertical cherry trees with spectacular autumn colour which would contrast with the rocks (texturally), and be floaty like the water in the pool…. whatever the tree, lift the foliage up from the soil level, and underplant with jut one kind of tight low ground cover, even moss (if your climate can support) or ground hugging juniper that you can train inside the diamond. This combination of elements is rich for the eye, softens the geometry, and adds interest which is lacking right now. The place for shrubs and grasses and palms is to border the lawn.

I think it depends on the household and the time of day that the rooms are used. What your instinct says about what most people look for in a house is a good view from the master is irrelevant, as this is your house so it has to be right for your household. Unless you are planning to build it and flip it in the short term then what other people think doesn't matter. A master bedroom, which is mostly used at night, doesn't need views or sunlight, unless you are overlooking a nighttime view, such as Sydney Harbour (which I don't think you are). A house with more views and northern light to shared, common areas often feels better than if these assets are exclusive and restricted to two family members. If a study is to be used by a professional adult during the day then make the most of the views and northern light with good separation from kitchen/dining. If the study is going to be used by kids to do homework and cruise the internet then having it adjacent to the kitchen for supervision is probably a better solution. best of luck with your considerations, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits