Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years. I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses. I hope this helps.

We went with Monument and I am delighted. I was worried about it making the house hotter, but not at all as we added some extra insulation while the roof was lifted. We look over our roof to Mt Dandenong and it really feels like we are floating above the rooftops now (previously had a lighter color). I have also noticed there is far less glare being darker. Pic below is not my best shots ... but you get the idea. Forgot to add we also have a flat cliplock roof and used a combination of Monument and Dune on the house.

Katherine, I am just curious about the look of the rest of your house? For example, what look is the kitchen and external look of house. I love your bathroom, but not sure if it would match the era of my house. I am beginning to think that in bathrooms, they really only look unique and have an extra "something" when the floors aren't the typical grey, charcoal, beige........not sure what to do yet with mine...

a great example of poor workmanship and household insurance won't cover that but despite the horrible surprise and expense this is an opportunity to get it right and also add your own style but first decide if you want the shower, toilet and vanity and even the walls returned to the same location?? it look's like you've done a great job removing all the damaged walls but you need to be careful about asbestos..post a plan of the ensuite and all adjoining rooms with dimensions for ideas about alternative floorplans, then, once you've decided the best arrangement you'll need a carpenter to replace the walls, plumber electrician, waterproofer, tiler and all the new tiles, toilet, vanity, shower and taps..unfortunately a very expensive surprise..the challenge will be juggling everyone to arrive in the correct sequence as well as choosing all the new fixtures and fittings so i would start with a quote from a specialist bathroom company, best of luck