Of course kitchens of this style often have hanging pot racks which I like to call pot chandeliers. Source an old ladder with character and hang from the ceiling on hooks and chain above the ding table for a talking point or be creative an use a pulley rope to lower it above the corner bench top next to the oven. Pots and crockery take up a huge amount of space. Allocate zones and use them practically. This bench in the corner would make a great breakfast nook, where a toaster, coffee station could be set up and have baskets underneath for dry store pantry items. Select a feature colour for the room, use it in fabrics stools or prints to add personality, perhaps select a fabric and create a pelmet over the corner window and also hang it below that bench top on wire curtain string to hide all the bits below. A gingham would look great Ml design

I detest rendering with a passion. If you go down this path, the whole period of the home will be lost forever. Rendering can be high maintenance after some years and it also affects the breathability of buildings. I assume it's solid brick? So why remove the natural insulation of brick by covering it with a product that is already losing its appeal? And the colour of the brick is beautiful and neutral. I would remove the garden blocking the view of the home. I would have a 1.5 metre hedge at the front with a taller one to hide the neighbours fence. Then consider a tree, off centre in a lawn (deciduous). For a first home and garden, this is simple and will be low maintenance after a few years.

Hi there, how did you go with choosing a render colour?

It all depends on how you want to use your front yard. I live on a corner block and in an old suburb in Canberra, where hedges are everywhere and for good reason, Privacy! You're front yard is a little more magical too when you aren't exposed to the street. I definitely would plant a tree in the corner so in time it overhangs and softens the driveway but please research the tree first or it could be a disaster. If you're not into hedges then garden beds at the front and around the corner, edging is a must, maybe a sculpture or garden feature not small but more of a statement piece. As already suggested, have a look at pictures on Houzz I'm sure you'll fall in love with something that suits you're lifestyle, and don't forget to add some soft garden lighting, good luck!