Nice work everyone. I'm always torn with the use of water in the landscape. I think labeling it natural looking or man made gets us in trouble. Its all about the design and placement of each element. That's the first step in pulling it off. There is balance and symmetry to this feature that suggests man made. The surrounding architecture and space available demands that. As you show us the look of a more natural feature is with the materials. Labeling it man made or natural is only a debate that takes away from a job well done. Very Cool!!! Craig

When we see green water, we humans tend to think of algae or mould - it's hard to change that way of thinking. A pale , sandy pebblecrete will look like a sandy lagoon, whereas a blue will be more eye-catching. We replaced the second liner of our pool with blue tiles . It's quite a large pool, so we went for a dark blue, I still love the colour nearly ten years later.

Another suggestion - sheerview blinds. http://www.bosetti.com.au/index.php/interior-products/sheerview-elegance-blind/ Available from all major blind suppliers. These blinds allow you to control the light totally from sheer to block out; block out 99% UV; available in large range of colours; gives the look of shutters with the softness of sheers all in one neat product.

Do you need to have curtains ? If you do maybe just sheers .Put a blockout blind on the window facing your TV . When you paint make sure that the skirtings and architraves are white . Change the wall tiles in the kitchen and after painting the cupboards , add new handles. I think after doing all that including the neutral dining rug that you may find that your lounge tiles look okay . If you still aren’t happy ,then you can replace them when you can afford it . I think the floorings are done last .