Hi, Barbara! Hello, my friends in the Houzz! I got caught in the whirlwind of construction works and a wedding and family homecoming that went with it! Now, I am happy to be back supervising the works. I made additions to the house, mainly at the back, making outdoor living and relaxation as a feature with the grill and outdoor seating and mobile Kitchen all added around the small bath area. Security here in this country is a big consideration, which leaves me with not much choice but to build high and strong fences and gates. My challenge is how to allow for a view of those cornfields and meadows just behind the house, providing a natural awesome backdrop to the 450sqm small property. It may not disappoint you too much to know that I went for the cut stone cladding for the four tall gate posts in front, a copy from the cladding on the posts of the front veranda, only, they are 2.2meters high. There will be two wide gates that will allow entry and exit of suv's on a half roundabout. The whole stretch of the front fence and gates shall be 2.2m vertical iron rods all lined up in a picket. This should allow the least obstructed view of the property from the narrow road. I shall send you more photos of our finished product :). In the meantime, this is how I have fared... Blessings to you, all!!

Thank you Houzzers for all your help and insight. We live in Melbourn's East. I love Diosima and they grow well in my garden. I was ready to go and get some planted when I read the comment about maintenance. I see our neighbour out there with scissors hedging his and just cannot see myself doing that - I had to rethink the idea. I don't mind Plumbago and love Bottlebrushes. ( was not aware of the upright species so I will look into it) have some here and they look lovely and make me smile with all the birds coming to visit. I just love the comments and suggestions. Thank you all!

Tropical plants will suit you best. Think amandas blush, red sister, subaru, heliconias, pony tail palms, philodendrons etc. They are hardy plants that need a little love to get going but will flourish for many years after. Style the space with some plants in pots (you can colour pop here or let the plants do that when they blossom). Some pavers, and nice stones/pebbles on the garden bed will really elevate the look. Pops of white will keep the space light and tropical. Some wooden furniture or tropical inspired decorations will also bring the space to the next level. It will be calm, inviting and easy to care for.

I hate painting or rendering brick . But those columns make me shudder ! So a relatively budget option would be to paint the columns , or render them , in an English Cream or even a white . NOT Gray . It is trendy , it is industrial , it doesn't suit the brown , in fact it doesn't suit the house . I'd follow through with the gutters in a white or sandstone too . The 'front' would look lighter , the columns are technically then a feature , it would have a slight bit of character . I'd get 2 or 3 big 1 metre by 1 metre black/charcoal tiles , and set into the stones , leading out from the terrace by the door . Add a couple of big , bright glazed pots , with a variety of plants . Tile the whole terrace in the same tone black/charcoal tiles , but 250 x 250 or 300 x 300 . The terrace tiling is 'optional' , or could be done later , but lighten the columns and gutters , and it will take some of the chocolate sameness away . Then , as everyone says -- landscape . Turn the carport into a bedroom ( personally , I wonder how you will insulate/do a ceiling/seal the walls to the roof/work walls around upright poles/remove bricks/add a door/add an ensuite plumbing/etc , but worth asking about ) .