Nice pool, but a shame that your neighbours can see you through the fence, and therefore, you get no privacy. If you were wanting privacy of some kind, bamboo, tikka plant or even lovely conifers will look quite nice, also as a backdrop to your pool area. I would also place a beautiful urn or two strategically near the pool, to add character and colour. I would finally add an order of large stones for good effect.

Well I know you want to be true to the house & reuse what you can but I would probably go with a more modern style like the stainless wire and timber top rail rather than dowels or timber for the infill. Be mindful of building code for the infill as horizontal is climbable and has to be very close together. There is so much upkeep in timber & if you go with the vertical metal rod look with the timber top plate maybe...? I am not an expert on any era or style though I know you will have a preference in mind & I would go with that. Look at the big picture of how your house will look with a change of paint (are you painting the house?) & for me it was about making the 25 year old house more contemporary. We love it!

We have miles of decking at our house here in Brisbane and at our new holiday house. We just love natural hardwood. I have learned the hard way not to use a stain or finish that puts a surface on top of the timber. Such products are very common and are most of the common brands. They deteriorate fast and are a real bugger to refinish. I have now discovered Cutek oils which so far are going great, and are so early to just apply another coat.

Like the idea, will be a fabulous area for this lucky family. Just too much the same colour for me. Hopefully lots of pillows, pots and plants will add some life to it.