To me the plants look as though they may be a mixture of New Zealand flax and native Dianellas. They do look ratty. The garden bed, especially at the lower end is too narrow - this is one reason you are having trouble with it. It is hard to get water to stay there - it will probably all run off. What about a hedge coming down the line of the bed? Many hedges don't need to be regularly clipped, especially many of the conical shaped lily pillies. But the bottom area isn't wide enough for these so you would need to use a different plant in the lower section. Like a Japanese Box for instance which would need clipping. They are both green and tough. There are instances where there are hedges used of different heights, and this could be one of those instances. Your last picture shows a garden that is well cared for and looks good. I have day lilies in my garden that I regard as weeds - I cant get rid of them they are so tenacious. I wouldn't recommend planting them. Whatever you choose, you need to integrate this choice with the style that you have in your bottom photo, so that there is continuity. Then it will come together. All the best Alison

How funny. I just renovated (on a budget) my small kitchen and added exactly the slate look in tiles you have, though they are in fact porcelain. And I placed them throughout the house for continuity. The tiler asked if I was after a retro hippy look but it doesn't look like that at all. My cupboards were the same colour as yours and I utilised the bones of the kitchen and had the doors and Benchtops changed only. I also have plenty of light in the kitchen but chose white doors and as I was on a budget I chose granite look Benchtops, they are very serviceable and it looks great. The blue backsplash was the colour lift and here you could choose any colour to your liking. Basically the kitchen ended up with white cupboards and appliances other than cooktop, with the stainless cooktop and coloured splash back being the focal point. The paint colour are: whisper white walls, integra splashback, white ceiling and for increased contrast I used the same white above the splashback on the rear wall. I would consider painting out the brick but leaving the texture.

Hmmmm. Gumtree worked for my friends when they did the same. It was incredible, they listed a few bits of furniture and some fixtures, but there was a lot of interest and they ended up selling the entire kitchen, including appliances, windows and even the front door! Is it possible that you're asking too much for the items, especially if the buyer is responsible for removal and transport?

Thanks for the ideas - I realise that only looking at flooring as the 'link' between inside/outside is limiting. We will have a brick boundary fence that will connect to our inside brick (but don't want brick pavers, too small and busy for our small space). We will also have a timber pergola that links to our beams/doors/flooring. So perhaps it's not essential that the pavers 'match' the flooring. I do like Travertine, and certainly large pavers are the idea. Also that pic that Swaneee posted - I would never have thought of that as 'slabs of cement', but it looks nice - where do you get that kind of thing, and what sort of cost? PS: I never said twin boys, it's one boy and one girl - but just the same in terms of pebbles being out!