Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years. I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses. I hope this helps.

I'll stick my neck out and say I love painted brick, especially when not in overwhelming proportions, so I think your house would lend itself well to this treatment. I can see the brick on your house painted in Surfmist - I believe it would totally transform the feel of your house. I love what you've done so far. If you do paint the brick though I would paint the garage door the same dark grey of the wood trim. Jon n Kate Miller are right - if you paint brick you have to be committed. Also don't take short cuts on surface preparation but if done properly there's no reason it shouldn't last as long as any other painted surface.

Sounds like a great project with the potential of some nice views :) I would start by getting a good builder or structural engineer out to have a look at the walls that you would like to knock down. As if they are structural it would cost more to add some support beams and if your budgets $150K and you want to do all of the above it could take a chunk of your money. Sometimes structural walls dictate what can and can't be done ( without loads of money) to a house. I'd start with a builders quote for all the wall demo items on the wish list and then on top of the structural you would be looking at spending around; A small bathroom reno would be $20-25K with a bathroom reno company. DIY with a plumber and electrician. $10-15K. Kitchen $35-50K dependant on level of finish ( includes appliances) Flooring (Timber) $100-145 a sqm laid. Extra $ for any floor prep or levelling prior to installation. Carpet's $45-65 sqm laid. Gyprock line walls labour $75 an hour plus materials. Plastering internal walls after demo and gprocks completed . $15-45 a sqm. If you are really keen on getting the lower level extension and upper floor level done at a later time I would also ask the builder for a quote whilst he's on site. Having all the facts up front helps make decisions on what to do with reconfiguring the rest of the house :) good luck!

oklouise: I appreciate your idea. Sounds good. This is the access which is on the northern side of our lot. Access to the back of the property. The lot is E-W rectangular plot. The access upto the gate would be frequented by meter readers from the front of the property. The gate comes as shown after the down pipe with the hinge on the pole affixed to my wall while the other pole goes butting with the retain wall and as the fencing guy has told me he will put in non expandable grout to hold the pole in place and there would be a bare 5-10mm gap between the neighbour's wall and the pole. The gate would open inwards into our property so as u look into the photo the gate open inwards right. Also I could not gather the concrete bit maybe concrete language is hard for me to understand. i will ask my landscaper but if youcan shed some more detail for the approach that would be very much appeciated kindly. We are not planning to concrete but if that is a way then we can think. We are actually planning to put in thick liimestone steppers and decorative stones. Any other fair ways/ideas for landscaping on this stretch is welcome