Without being sure of what those windows are from, it might be worth considering creating a flat roof/ deck on that single garage and replacing the first window with a sliding door to access it. Continue he same balustrade as your fence with have and create a terrace. Slatted balustrade might provide the privacy in screening, and a nice place to stand out at evenings. I think a colourbond roof would modernize this home in the right way, it's low pitch is suited to doing so. As for the windows, I personally like timber awning windows for this style home. Although I think a louvre window would look amazing where that long narrow window is, and if it happens to be within your stairwell, it would create a fantastic breezeway and vacuum the hot air upwards and outwards. The main structure of your garage, I would create post and beams that jut out over the entrance path not a covered roof, just the beams, which would be the joists from the garage roof/ deck. This would tie into the architecture and soften the boxiness of the exterior facade. Also it will direct you through an interesting entrance and lighting and landscape details could really wow you.

Sound like good ideas to me. Orange door would look good with dark grey render. Stain any timber work charcoal. Also add horizontal boards at the house gable. Incorporate the low wall in the front fence idea by making it higher - maybe just slats so the garden can be seen through it. The mail box could be in there too. Make a further statement with fast growing trees to create an arch over the entry gate.

Amazingly nice people here! And thanks for all the sharing! I am working on a tiny walk-in pantry for my new build; it is actually a pantry in a scullery, as most Chinese people do, I will use the scullery as a second kitchen (imaging the smoke and greasy fume from woking!) so I am desperately in need of a pantry to store (and protect) stuff. Our designer actually scorns the idea of a walk-in pantry in a scullery; anyway I've got only 1.0m * 2.2m space to work on. I need a worktop to marinade food (with hundreds of spices near by) and knead doughs for bread, plenty of shelves of different depth, and some floor space for tall things like steam mop etc. The picture is what I now fancy about: when the sliding door opens, I will have wide clearance at the back to work on the benchtop (deeper part 600mm, shallower part 350mm), shallower benchtop is used for small appliances, and shelves of different depths on the left and bottom wall. My husband laughs and says he'd never seen such an irregular pantry. Does it work at all? Any suggestion? Please!

Hi Jo! Megan from Bluethumb Online Art Gallery here. I agree with scottevie and oklouise that an artwork would be a great option to finish off the fireplace. I love the idea of a concrete render, that will look stunning! I think an abstract piece would look great with the modern lines of the structure, so I've compiled a few suggestions from Bluethumb's artists that I think would look great. Of course, these are just an idea, so let us know if we can help further. My choice would be this intriguing piece by NSW-based artist, Brendan Kelly. I've roughly mocked it up for you, based on a estimate of the actual size of your fireplace. https://bluethumb.com.au/brendan-kelly/Artwork/graze-brendan-kelly Some abstract options that would work wonderfully: https://bluethumb.com.au/dinah-wakefield/Artwork/traces-of-light https://bluethumb.com.au/rachael-higby/Artwork/earth-and-wind https://bluethumb.com.au/susie-monte/Artwork/clementine-abstract-painting-by-susie-monte https://bluethumb.com.au/clairbremner/Artwork/lingering-light-abstract-expressionist-landscape-painting-by-clair-bremner https://bluethumb.com.au/suebannisterartist/Artwork/coral-sky-s-2 Some alternatives to abstracts: https://bluethumb.com.au/johngraham/Artwork/eroded-landscape https://bluethumb.com.au/silvia-rubboli-golf/Artwork/close-encounter-silvia-rubboli-golf https://bluethumb.com.au/elizabeth-wojciak/Artwork/the-blue-bath Once again, let us know if we can help further :)