Any imported soil will cause problems with the longevity of plants that you choose. You are always better off working with the existing soil on the site. Because of changes, I would suggest that you consider getting a professional in to have a look at that site. You have a slope towards the fence which is going to cause a problem and the garden bed that you have constructed only looks as though it is about 50cm wide. This is nowhere near wide enough to get any plant to grow to fence height. Unless you grow bamboo which is expensive and wont like the imported soil. And even then this plant will increase beyond 50cm - even the clumping forms. As for the Chinese Elm - these can become massive trees. Taller shrubs, like Callistemon pallidus could have the stems trimmed and retain the canopy and being native will be more tolerant of soils and conditions. Professional advice is needed here. And get an older person who has had years or experience and is a horticulturist.

Are you combining a good way of sitting with a good design? If yes, arm rests are nice, when a dinner takes longer than 1 hr or so. It helps if there is a cushion available that people want to use where the back of the chair is rounded (and people prefer to sit upright). Under no circumstance should the seat slope backwards. The sitting level should be flat - no slope. The cushion can carry a lot of design and colour suitable to the environment. I love simple chairs .... and it helps not to put too many chairs around the table.... (unless you have a big family), have two chairs against the wall somewhere close. Sit on chairs before you buy them. (And a personal thing: I LOVE different chairs. Never more than a pair of 1 design) - like in the picture with the2 green armchairs and the bench. That is just great and suits different situations and guests. (To siriuskey...... I would sit on the bench)

Also, if you are interested in how to use cooling breezes, it's a good idea to look at the Bureau of Meteorology site. There's lots of information here on wind directions & strengths through the seasons. Again, your local conditions may vary somewhat from the BOM site used (MACKAY M.O.), so if you're a local you may have a better idea. The BOM (most commonly) records wind data for its sites at both 9am & 3pm. The data is presented as a wind rose. A description of wind roses, & how to use them, can be found here, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/wind_rose.shtml The 9am wind rose is shown here, http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi?period=Annual&type=9&location=33119 The most common wind at 9am appears to be from the SSE, & of moderate strength. The 3pm wind rose can be found here, http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi?period=Annual&type=3&location=33119 The wind is a now SE to ESE, of moderate strength. Unfortunately, these are yearly wind roses, so won't show seasonal variations. If you'd like to investigate seasonal differences, monthly wind roses, for both 9am & 3pm, can be found in pdf format on the following BOM page, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_033119.shtml

roof tiles and aluminium windows have a limited life span and painting is an expensive cover up for aging, unless the tiles and windows are very good quality in excellent condition consider replacing the tiles with light coloured Colorbond steel with improved insulation and replace the windows with double glazing (don't have to all be done at once) with fresh new roof and windows you could upgrade the look and comfort of the home without changing the bricks and the original style although (subject to Council approval) a front carport/garage including a courtyard (and already advised landscaping) with a covered walkway/verandah to the front door would greatly improve convenience and the frontage