georgi02 "follow some simple guidelines, the ones that people frequently aren't told when buying wall gardens and you end up finding out the hard way" Plant walls are fashionable and seem ideal for small spaces but it would be good if the stores that sell the bits and pieces told people it's not just a trendy decor item, it needs some gardening expertise. mutcherson, is there any space between that deck and the fence? IMO the most successful low-maintenance gardening is the right choice of plant growing in the ground. As soon as you start messing around with unusual plants, unusual containers, unusual locations, you start having additional challenges. But I reckon if you want it's worth having another try with a wall using georgi02 's instructions. Succulents are easy to grow from cuttings and forgiving of lack of water. When you take cuttings of succulents you are supposed to put them aside for a while before potting them and I have found pieces I forgot I cut weeks earlier and managed to grow them. I have had some problems with succulents but that was because of frost so you you won't have that challenge.

A lot of applications don't get approved first time or just require further info. Just having a design and plans prepared is a very small (but vital) part of the whole process. It all starts again with the application and approvals, more documentation and paperwork. They can ask for different information or can 'reject' a proposal but will then accept it if you provide the necessary paperwork. They can and will move goalposts without advising anyone or the development officer may require different specifications to another colleague..... You never mentioned exactly what the objections were in detail so hard to comment exactly. There are many alt's and add's around the Newtown and Inner West so it can be achieved. This is an area where I would recommend using a good local architect as they do plans, documentation, sort the approvals, tender and project manage the build. There are good Building Designers and draftsman too but an architect will have the headache of the approvals not you. A builder I did a bit of work for a few years back said it took him 2 years for an approval. He did the plans himself as it was minor...... He then found out along the way he needed Heritage Reports, Noise and Acoustic Reports, Stormwater........ Yes, Floor Space Ratio was mentioned. The minor alteration wasn't as simple as first expected. I've done a couple around the Inner West in the past (3 years+) and have one coming up in the new year in Balmain. The job is for a builder I know very well so I couldn't exactly say 'No thanks, try a local due to their local experience and knowledge'. I did advise him of the difficult nature of the area and council but he's ok with that. My advise to you would be make a solid decision on what you really require for the works? Can the existing plans be amended easily to be approved? Are the major objections 'major' or is the correspondence only written to make the issues sound major? I would also meet up with a local Architect and have them go over the plans and council objections and advise what to amend or what further documents are needed.

Is your final photo of the vanity you already have? I also thought adding legs would take it back to the MCM you are after. Would be interesting to know how the silver drawer pull is attached. Not sure about painting it matte black as I thought timber furnishings were more prevalent then, but it's totally your choice. I hope you will post updates as you go. I just love mid-century.

A clearer description on what I suggested above but with the dark paint and brick colour 1) Surf Mist Roof 2) Surf Mist Gutters, Barge boards, down pipes, Garage Door 3) Surf Mist upper walls and upper part of ground floor with Surf Mist Windows 4) Bricks , Recycled Red Bricks (Austral) 5) Darker Lower colour Dune, or Jasper with matching windows 6) Front door Timber Choosing colours is a very difficult job, most people know what they like if they can see it, so visiting LOTS of display homes will help you, cheers