Rog - congratulations, I think you have done a fantastic job. To me you have achieved a great balance between modern and trendy - modern lasts, trendy not so much, I even find it boring after a while. This looks like a home that has been decorated by the owners' and to their tastes too, nothing looks staged. As for the mural - I'm just speechless, what a piece of brilliance. Having just spent the last 4 years renovating and creating my new home (although I still have loose ends to tie up) I can really appreciate how you must be feeling now, being able to sit back and totally enjoy all the hard work. I hope you have many, many happy years there.

annb1997 - Yes, that is part of the reason I'm doing this project. The entire area will be lowered, re-graded and some drains installed (the garden edge is kind of temporarily in place for now, got a great deal on the plants so they had to go in). It's a bigger job than anticipated as it also means the air conditioners (x3) need to be de-commossioned and re-installed at the new levels. John, I like the idea with regard to the tank, but we get allot of bitey critters and I don't really want to give them anymore areas to hide out in.

I wouldn't leave it to the pool renovators and their concretors to decide. If they misjudge and it cracks open in a few years then will they be around to pay for relaying new limestone? I would engage an engineer to assess the condition of the concrete under the brick coping and design the joint (possibly with rods and chemset), allowing for adequate expansion joints for the new concrete and the new limestone. Engineers tend to be more conservative than concretors when it comes to design. Engaging an engineer to design this joint will cost you more in the short term, but nothing will be left to chance. Who knows there may be a better way to connect than rods and chemset - let your engineer advise. You can then get a competitive quote from the two pool companies for the same thing. Just dont go with timber decking around a pool as it looks so dated and needs lots of maintenance. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Just my opinion and I’m no expert : D If you wanted to hang onto the lounges for a little longer as they are very practical while you have a young child and dogs, I’d look at trying to find a cushion that might combine the colours perhaps? Like the pic attached? I’d also use some conditioner on the lounge and maybe put a bit more stuffing inside the lounge seat cushions yourself. I did this to a Parker lounge and after a clean and leather saddle conditioner it didn’t look too bad. Maybe a big square (so it won’t tip over) pot with a dark green plant like a peace Lilly, cast iron plant or a tall plant could make the green lounge fit in a bit better.