Hey Sally, This is from the ‘Thermal Mass in Summer’ section from our website, "With correct eave overhang on the North of your building & thermal mass being shielded from direct solar gain we can control the increase in the ambient air temperature of the building. During the day heat gains from external temperature, the occupants of the building, and any electrical lighting and equipment, is absorbed by the exposed thermal mass of the building and releases stored cool within the thermal mass, thus limiting the temperature rise within the space to be within acceptable levels for human thermal comfort. By the end of the day the thermal mass of the building has in turn warmed up, and now as external temperatures reduce the heat can be released and the thermal mass cooled down ready for the start of the next day. However this "regeneration" process is only effective if the building is ventilated at night when the external air temperature has dropped below the internal temperature, to carry away the heat that has been absorbed during the day. This can be achieved through naturally ventilating buildings (opening windows etc.) or the use of automated ventilation systems. This reduces or totally eliminates the need for artificial cooling systems to be installed, thus reducing the overall energy consumption of the building to attain a comfortable living environment." When temperatures do not drop at night for 3-4 nights, our houses are still far more comfortable than outside, warmer than it would be if night ventilation could be achieved, but still a comfortable temperature. In our house we just use ceiling fans during those in-between days! We find that even when it is warmer in our houses in prolonged hot periods than it would be with air-conditioning, the quality of the air and feel of being inside the house is much nicer than what it would be with the everyday use of an air-conditioner – not to mention benefit that not using air-conditioning has on the environment. Hope this answers your question :)

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!

Kevin, what's the external colour scheme? Also, any more pictures from out further / wider? It looks like the garage was under the house in the original picture, now gone?

Hi oklouise, thank you also for your excellent ideas. We like the idea of the window seat, but in the first instance we will try removing the existing gable end and exposing the overhanging eaves as you suggested. We saw this sort of thing on some old houses in Orange (NSW) last weekend and really liked it, so it is uncanny that you suggested it. Do you think we could get away with a gable vent to make a bit of a statement, or do you think that might be a bit fussy? Regarding the roof, we are considering Shale Grey as it is light (and therefore will absorb less heat), and it it the Colorbond colour that supposedly most resembles old zincalume. However, we are still trying to work out if this works the best with our brick colour. Again, thank you for your advice !