Well nasmijati has much to offer. For my mind i would like to get an understanding of who you are before thinking too much ahead friendlykim. If we leave climate change, fire zones, function, ergonomics and sustainability to one side we might consider your childhood experiences, your passions, sufferings, do you like literature/ Japanese poetry? - will you have mist in the winter months? what music do you like? imagination as play in defining space, choreographing shade and light, will you have children to consider, would you consider a more elemental use of water for swimming and other opportunities in place of a lap pool? we could talk about art, what artists you love, insight beyond reason which comes through our relationship that your garden may feed your mind on a daily basis. Have you travelled? Does the north African civilization have anything to teach you for garden application? - what is your latitude? Has contemplation placed it's hand on your shoulder by this stage of your life? I should stop - for me it's not really about design, it's about the life of the mind and arousing latent, hidden aspects of who you are - your life narrative. This is how I would start making a garden for you and preferably over lunch - it is primarily about love in the end!

I personally don't do the feminist thing of She shed, etc, I just call it MY ROOM AND IF YOU DISTURB ME YOUR CHOICE OF PUNISHMENT! Hee hee, no, I call mine my Workroom. Like you I have a ton of things to do in there! I craft, I bead, I have storage, and I occasionally just go down there with a glass of wine, turn on a CD and chill on the chair looking out at the scenery. My room is a work in progress, too. What I do is have designated spots for different work areas. So one wall has beading supplies, another wall has craft and knitting supplies and the other has storage and in the middle is a big rug where I can lay down and veg or actually do yoga if I so desire. For you, I suggest you do a mix, since your walls are limited, put a chair and a table (can be longer like a bench if you have the room) along that hip height window. You need natural light for any painting, etc you like to do. The cupboard you mention can become your storage area for the painting equipment. You mention you wish to study too, so having a half side of the table for painting and the other half for studying should do the trick. The fact you want to exercise, run nuddies, relax etc can be done in the middle of the room. Without dimensions I can't really offer much else. Is it possible to get a few pics of the area with something in perspective, (kitchen chair is easiest) if there is no furniture already in there? Sounds like a hodgepodge in the Heaven Haven. ;)

Gum trees are provide a stunning canopy to any garden, but as with any large tree close to your home, you need to be mindful of its health and possible future limb failure. Sudden limb failure in Eucalypts is the result of periods of dry weather, impacts on a tree's root zone and subsequent moisture stress. I recommend creating a beautiful native garden in this area with groundcovers and grasses that are suited to the sunlight available. Make sure the area is properly mulched (organic mulch is best) and that you water the area during periods of hot weather. It's also worthwhile having an arborist look at the tree every 12 months of so to make sure it is still healthy.

Can I suggest that as most of your proposed project comes under the umbrella of landscaping that you consult an experienced landscape designer in the first instance. Someone who is experienced with pools and outdoor rooms. Also someone who has a network of other professionals that they work with such as pool builders, architect or architectural designer and engineers that may be necessary for the permits and build once the overall conceptual design is realized. All of your wish list will need to flow together and be cohesive to function well and a good designer will be able to work with your design brief and guide you through this first stage which is critical if you intent to carry the work out in stages. All the very best with your project. Lynn