Hi guys , you are about to embark on a major renovation that will enhance your lifestyle which is great . I would highly recommend that you engage a professional landscape designer to maximise your investment . The long term benefits will definitely outweigh the relatively small investment of a couple of thousand dollars on a great design of the spaces and how they will bring the most fun and enjoyment to your family , and at the same time increase the value of your home . Step one is to seriously consider your budget , and then get a great design that maximises every dollar . Your budget will drive your overall design concepts and your construction priorities . This is even more reason to be working with a good design plan which will guide you through the whole process and keep you on track . The plan will manage your trades and keep the project true to the overall design objectives . From a design perspective , your suggested black and grey colour scheme would work if you are going to render and /or paint over your house brick , so that the actual home is modernised as part of the total project . If you are not going to do that , then maybe you would consider a lighter but still modern colour scheme for your outdoor structures . You can still trim with touches of black . The black pool fence is designed to make the structure visually disappear , so I am not sure if you should be choosing black as your dominant outdoor colour as dark structures also are hard to see in bright sunshine , plus they are harsh on the eyes up close . But black trim added to lighter thicker timber pergolas can add a sophisticated and elegant detail line . Have you had your pools pressure relief valve checked to make sure the concrete shell doesn't pop out of the ground whilst the pool is empty ? Your photos show that the view from inside your home out to the pool area takes your eyes beyond the pool area and into the distance . A good landscape design and placement of outdoor structures will help you bring your outdoor pool areas " back to the house " . Also choosing appropriate planting will be an important part of creating your own little paradise at home . Don't be scared to create some visual vertical barriers as they will give a beautiful private resort feel to your home , and they will actually make the outdoor pool area seem larger , but cosy . Carefully look at the orientation of everything that is designed for your outdoor spaces , as your pool area is exposed , so shade and weather protection are crucial as part of the design. Lastly , I hope you guys read my comments as constructive input and not negative , as I am just trying to help you consider the " big picture " with your home and investment . If you do it well , you will have great fun and maximise your dollars . Good luck Glenn

I've done that with an old old weatherboard...very small house. Did a semi enclosed elevated deck...as the house is on piers..slatted a-la-old Queenslander and partially enclosed with transparent roofing against the wind. The roof is colourbond interspersed with transparent corrugated panels. Have vines growing in through the slats from a garden bed near the front entry....maked for a lovely indoor-outdoor space with many uses. The vine I have is a very old plant calle Podranea...twice a year produces lilac blooms and is evergreen. Requires maintenance as is very vigourous. the rooms along the northern side of the house all open out on to this lovely indoor/outdoor space. Have a lovely fountain as well as hanging baskets. This space has opened up the whole house and protects both in summera and winter. It has made a difference to the whole ambience...so good idea....most probably your venture will involve a more modern aopproach,,,I tried to keep the "old house" image. An indoor.outdoor room is the best improvement in my opinion. Could not do without mine.

Wow, that looks amazing, what a difference.

what can you see looking back at the house from the courtyard and the undercover area? what rooms overlook these areas? will the entertaining area be used by crowds or smaller groups? do you need to walk through these areas to the pool? what size pizza oven and barbq are you planning? what do you use the undercover area for now? what is the size of the undercover area? have you consider an outdoor kitchen in the undercover area with small table for everyday and a big dining table with market umbrella in the paved area and the fireplace with seating area at the far end of the courtyard