We are not allowed to have garages in our precinct ..if you have back access (and some people do) you can have a garage around the back..no walled fronts either ..ours was walled before the ruling so can stay..I really like having my wall. Gates have to open material..not solid

Hi all, Sorry for the slow replies and thanks for the input so far. From what I've read online a re-inforced besser block wall should be about $600 p/sqm including footings in Sydney (Hornsby shire council area). Given the wall is 1m x 10m it should be let's say $7k including design and DA or am I way off? I'd also need to dispose of the current wall + footings but I could probably give the blocks away. The paved area is about 40sqm. Would it be safe to assume $200 p/sqm for concrete base, paver supply (travertine) and install (coping and surrounds)? So the wall and and paving would cost let's say $16k + fencing + cladding. This isn't too bad considering how much better it would look and the value it would add to the house. I like the flexibility the besser would give - render, cladding etc are all options. I'm not sure how bad it is structurally it just has a couple of spots where I can see the blocks have pulled apart over time. Below are some pictures of the bad spots. Also looking at the Amber website it says the maximum courses is maximum non reinforced wall height of 972mm (6 courses). It looks like my wall is actually 7 courses un-reinforced. The wall and pool was built back in 2003. I definitely think planting in front of the wall would help, as would removing the lights but I'm in two minds about whether to bite the bullet and do it properly or just hide it.

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 :)

I like the facade, though the lack of landscaping does nothing for it. I like the pillars. The house would look naked or unfinished without them. The bricks are neutral and the house could look completely different with different colour choices on the other materials. It can be difficult to visualise. Sometimes when you see before and after pictures it's like 'is that the same house?' just with changes to trim colour and landscaping. The windows do stand out as perhaps too dark, and if the overall colours are not to your taste, those things can be changed. But first address the poorly laid brickwork and any other issues. In what way are the bricks poorly laid? As you are planning to extend, that will change the appearance and proportions of the facade. So a floorplan will inform external aesthetic choices. Take the opportunity to improve energy efficiency, as Dreamer said. If you're changing the windows change to better functioning windows, add eaves where you need them, that type of thing. Cladding can look great or it can look like a cheap trendy stuck-on attempt at an update. Sometimes it causes ongoing maintenance issues too. There's no reason why your extension/renovation should end up looking stuck on if planned cohesively with good proportions. Where I think it goes wrong is when reno's are done by simply sticking something trendy over something old.