As an entry, I would utilize that box lid, hinging it to lift and store things like slippers, shoes umbrellas etc, And I would line the back wall above in white painted lining boards about two thirds up the wall vertically. Top with a skirting board header, and install coat hooks t it. It will become a practical entry way, and the decorative timber detailing will always look great. Paint the wall above the lining boards in a deeper, or warmer tone like a coffee to accent against your white trims. Art is ok, a mirror sounds great, but is bad feng shui, and not many guests like to see themselves arriving. An adjacent wall can do that. After all, it will be a room to walk through, and not one in itself, so would make the most of this practical area, and create a space that the whole family will benefit from. Even without hanging coats here, the wall will look interesting and be a talking point, your own cloak room!

I know I shouldn't do it, but I love putting bird seed out every morning for the wild birds. I scatter it over the trampoline ( not used as a trampoline any more) so that the birds have a clear view all around and can look out for cats. I even managed to coax a wild magpie to eat from my hand recently! I was worried about its sharp beak, but it was very gentle!

The rendered brick wall is on the property boundary and is the neighbours garage. With the wood screening I was thinking to finish the height similar to the rendered brick wall. The stoned area at the end of the deck is just under 3 meters deep and the trees are 1.5meters in from the back fence. I would like to keep the one closest to the wall if it worked in but not fussed about the other two.

Hi Hamish, these planters are very cool! Great potential here. - from what I can see; your home has brown and red tones, it depends on the look you are trying to achieve - however if you were aiming to integrate these planters into the existing colour pallet I would go for something with orange, brown, or red undertones - I know orange sounds frightening! Bare in mind that colours look very different when under direct sunlight, or dark shadows cast by trees etc.. Before painting it's always wise to do a test on a piece of thick paper or cardboard; see how it looks in morning light, afternoon sun, dim light at dusk, and so on... What is the light like at your place? If your home doesn't get much sun I would go for a lighter colour (lighter greys with brown undertones) to bounce off the sunlight that does reach it. A darker colour (browns, oranges) would add impact, a focal point, and would boast the greenery, as the natural colours from your plants would be intensified against a darker backdrop. I have outlined some colours that would look well balanced with the rest of your exterior - Good luck! - I look forward to seeing an update