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Thanks Mel What do you think about the vertical design (that was your idea originally!) but with the top and bottom bar? A true picket didn't suit as well I don't think.

You are on the right track with the Monument garage door, and possibly changing the glazing. I wouldn't tack on anything to the brickwork as it will always looked tacked on, and won't go with the rest of the house. Nothing worse than making a "feature'" when trying to conceal something - it just draws attention to it. Continue to make your porch and entry the feature which draws your eye, rather than distracting it with a feature garage wall. Where do you start and where do you stop when applying a cladding over brickwork? The rear garage wall can probably be seen form the neighbours front yard, so how far around the corner will you need cladding? It will need to be carefully resolved and detailed around the window sills and reveals. A better bet would be spending the money that has been earmarked for cladding on landscaping instead to the front of the garage with some dense, ever-green shrubbery. At least it will look natural and not draw attention to the garage wall and away from your front entry. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

I guess the first question is what do you want to do in the front garden ? A fence like dreamers 2nd pic looks great , and hides almost everything , but personally i don't think it matches the style of your house . You don't have children or pets , so it then comes down to a bbq , or a cricket pitch haha . My gut feeling would be to enlarge the front terrace , probably by removing the wrought iron work , and have a 2nd wooden terrace , one step ( say 200mm ) lower than the concrete one , add a pergola over the lot , maybe a latticework wooden panel ( or even 2 ) at the very front , maybe a builtin seat along the righthand side . Of course , you will also want at least a stainless barbeque , maybe an outdoor kitchen , as well as a couple of outdoor tables , and at least 8 matching chairs . There are problems with both low and tall front fences due to the layout of your section , your house is pleasant , my idea would be to update and upgrade it a bit , without trying to make it something it isn't , or without hiding it .