I like the bricks in the fence and you don't want to paint or render this, as you would be providing a lovely, fresh canvas for graffiti 'artists' to scribble on your walls. However, you could create a border area just in front of the fence and plant some shrubs or narrow trees. (Just saw a segment on Catalyst on the ABC the other day on types of trees which help to filter out pollution from your home. Silver birch trees seemed to do well, whilst taking up very little space and being quite sparse.) Even a border of mondo grass would be good, though this is very short in height.

You have a home of character. Currently the whole external picture is unbalanced. Everything on the right is dominant, and falls away almost entirely on the left. From way off left field I would 1. Make the entry to your driveway from the letterbox point. The existing entry point would become garden. 2. This driveway would then curve around to the left and then join the existing driveway up to the garage. 3. I believe that there is too much brick and if finances allowed, would remove the brick driveway and replace with a base and grey gravel aggregate. The grey would have a remarkable softening effect, and would enable all rain that falls on the site to be utilised on site. 4. The area now reclaimed from the start of the existing driveway I would make a garden. This garden, with a tree within, would then balance the whole front picture. 5. I would remove the boxed area and dumpy plant keeping the colours and gravels all the same. 6. Don't use coloured bark - it could have toxins in it, and it looks awful. 7. The row of rocks in front of the house should also go. 8. The garage needs a colour change - the same colour as the brick of the house. This will make the whole front presence appear wider. Your home, as mentioned by others, and repeatedly by me in other posts, should retain the original facade in keeping with the style of home. There is nothing at all wrong with this facade, and it looks like a solid brick home. Cheers Alison

A great outcome and so suitable for the climate. A subtle but to me big impact was how a lighter floor has made the whole space appear brighter and seems to have lifted the ceiling height. Owners must love the space now.

The brief from our lovely clients was to create a family home layered with farm-house warmth and style where the owners could relax and be inspired by the surrounding natural landscape. It was also really important that we designed an interior that tells a story of the rural traditions and rustic charm, delivered within a unique country setting. The existing urban, red brick, three-bedroom house’s saving grace was a beautiful garden overlooking a national park, but it lacked country charm and the interior design was not connected to the verdant, exterior landscape. By layering and revealing textures the house was transformed into a lifestyle abode. Organic structures, rich earthy colours and traditional Australian, English and French Provencal farmhouse elements were blended together with hand-crafted macramés, tapestries and Moroccan rugs. Bespoke pieces were added, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated family mountain retreat. The old garage under the house was converted into an exterior, resort-style bathroom with recycled, grey-faced sleepers, shiplap cladding and artesian hand-crafted, white-washed brick walls. Bespoke exposed copper plumbing and custom-made hardware, a French provincial galvanised dog bathtub, retro vanity and concealed toilet were incorporated into the design. Exposed ceiling beams and large barn doors added further character and showed off the integrity of the build. At the side of the house, a large hand-crafted farm gate and fence was created, and four tall, recycled sleeper posts provided the structure for a shade cloth for the new carport. A system of stainless-steel sailing cleats and organic hemp-rope pulleys was designed as a quick release for fire truck access, if required. In the kitchen, new benches and lime-washed floors created a softer palette. Strategically placed lighting was used to create drama and mood and to highlight art pieces and macramé wall-hangings in rustic oranges and earth browns. Three teardrop, smoke-coloured pendants were chosen to accent the refreshed dining room. The joinery wall in the living room was redesigned to house the essential farmhouse fireplace. Open shelves were created to display farmhouse objects and curios that evoke an old-world simple rural life. Furniture was sourced for its rustic appeal as well as its functionality. French provincial workbenches complete with the original carpenter’s clamps and turn handles were used to make bespoke sideboards. The undercover deck at the rear of the property was restyled with a hint of the exotic. A hand-crafted, vintage Indian daybed, Moroccan floor rugs and a rattan table setting were key pieces. Concept design, plans, joinery, finishes, furniture and homeware selection, lighting design, exterior bathroom, barn doors, custom-built farm gate, and puppy agility course. Before: In Progress: After: Check out the entire project here!