Are you set on keeping the dirt area for your puppy or are would you consider container gardening? Does the area get a lot of sun? My first thought is there is alot of brick already between the facade of the building and that two story portion shown. But the herringbone paver layout is great. If it were my home I would probably take that Trex decking and extend it over in to the dirt area at an angle and then use pots to make my garden. Really great pots that you can move around and change by adding colorful plants when the season permits and then I would invest in really nice outdoor furniture to make the space. I see you have a small teak table and with a good powerwash it can be made to look new. Then add some outdoor chairs and hang a piece of outdoor art on the brick and that would be a great start but definitely start by just getting rid of all those odd plantings. It will be a lovely retreat. Good luck.

Hi Sam, I know where you're coming from, I too wanted to buy such a beautiful ornate table for my new home still under construction but it just wasn't going to look like it matched the modern home I wanted to put it in. I also wanted to feel like it could be used as most kitchen tables in a home are used, especially for me living on a farm, for eating or repairing something on some newspaper etc...impossible to do on such a beautiful table, you would ruin it to see it scratched !!! Not to put a damper on your tastes but your home will look so much better and have more style if you continue to try to match what you already have and that's at least a stunning kitchen that you've shown us all on this forum. If you think of the style and colour of your kitchen everytime you want to buy something or decorate, it will hep ground you to keep it similar. I understand there are people who say it's nice to have countless pieces of furniture that are all different in some way, as it can look like you acquired them along your journey in life but I think that this mixture of designs and colours doesn't gel in a modrrn house very well at all, perhaps a quaint old cottage but not a modern home with a lovely kitchen like you already have!!!

Agree with bigreader. Good idea to start an ideas book so that you can look at different styles of furniture, decor and placement. I would go for a timber and steel table, if you wanted to match the kitchen to the lounge area. Although the table you have suggested matches the kitchen cabinet doors, it won't necessarily match the style that you will choose for your home.

Hi anzella, loving the new table and chairs, because you live in North QLD I wouldn't worry about a rug under the table, apart from you climate I find rugs under tables can become very annoying . If however you do decide to have one down the track, Sisal Rugs are great for your climate, you can even make your own to whatever size by buying the sisal and edging it yourself or getting a carpet place to overlock the edges. Some years ago I made two very large rugs and edged them with a wide black tape, I stitched them by hand, loved them in the dining and joining living room.What a shame you can't have the hanging lamp in the picture over your table, not sure if it would fit between your ceiling fans. cheers https://www.dealsdirect.com.au/product.aspx?saleID=1774c795-993e-4615-afbc-f53a2e1dcab3&productID=ojiuDsjunkG1Vz9n7zBrLQ&sc=7&c=12&mkwid=siJYklREw_dc&pcrid=189771976719&pkw=&pmt=&product=ojiuDsjunkG1Vz9n7zBrLQ_6xX6Gc4vLkKMpQtba7S3jw&gclid=CjwKEAjwoLfHBRD_jLW93remyAQSJABIygGp4cKCQmlURqkE4IbUxZFOwwVQKSQHTM9Fx7Xllv1FvRoCWqrw_wcB