Hi everyone, I know you have laid your turf now, but for others in a similar situation, I have found that 'Paspalum vaginatum' is a fantastic alternative to the buffalo and Couch varieties. Its non invasive, very shallow root systems and takes shade and full sun. As its is highly salt tolerant, its a great cost effective alternative around swimming pools and helps keep the temperature down around the pool, so kids can run around with bare fee. It looks fantastic in summer, doesnt get woody and looks pretty good throughout the winter months. Although I have no experience with fake turf I have heard that it can get very hot and smelly, making it difficult to enjoy for little feet during the hot summer months. Hope this helps :-)

After staring at your pics a few times I think I've figured out what's bothering me. The garden bed sticks forward. If you need it for the size of plants in the ground it might work but if you're only going to have pots you can line the edge up with the wall of the house I think? What is the depth of the garden bed? Colour and placement of the pots. The pots look terracotta and the brickwork looks more reddish, is that right? It doesn't look like it goes together. Maybe you can use those pots somewhere else where they aren't right beside the brickwork and get some pots for that location which are either darker and match the trims of the house or are lighter and contrast with the house more. I think the pots need to somehow relate to the windows. If that room could use some privacy or shade you could put two pots in front of the windows. If you want to preserve the view out then you could put three pots against the brickwork. The mulch. It looks too low for the edging. (What is the edging?) The colour, like with the pots, doesn't look like it goes with the rest. I'd go black pebbles or something light in a similar hue to the stone foundation feature. Or maybe scoria?

Keep an eye on your bromeliads. Now that the tree has gone, they might not like so much sun and will need to be moved. Maybe under your front window? The stone edging screams 80's, I agree with removing it or growing something to cascade over the top. Stump removal can be expensive. Maybe attack the multiple stump clump with shovels and an axe to get it below ground level. You could put a birdbath or sculpture on top of the large stump? Even a large decorative pot? Clumping bamboos grow quickly and could add some softness. I like the previous suggestion of grasses too. Good luck with it.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Busy as crazy doing another bathroom in the house. Hopefully the last for a while. Yes it is paint behind the vanity. After much deliberation I went ahead and painted it. It is easily wiped down for any accidental splash back but unless your bathing in your washbasin there’s hardly ever any The floor tiles, and in fact all the tiles are from Moorabbin Tiles. Polished porcelain. Thank you for your kind feedback