This is just like our Mediterranean house in Canberra. It was rendered white which never cracked or got mould on it, though I would prefer it to be done in a modern colour like our current home on the Gold Coast which is a rich sand colour with a heavy bagged appearance that has faded from a strong dark sand. With beautiful dark patterned orangey tiles all outside that reflect their colour on the walls during the day it is quite magical. Roof tiles also spray painted after being re pointed. I suggest you amplify the lovely quality of arches and don't go for what is trendy. But go with colour scheme for the house design. At our entrance there is a built up garden courtyard feature with wonderful iron gates and a large water feature in the courtyard that the lounge room looks out to and has the French doors that also opened onto the courtyard garden. Commence the courtyard wall to the left side of the steps and create a flat area at the gated entrance where we had a north single gate and a west double gate. The Pines were planted on the outside of this courtyard wall and gave extra privacy and blocked the westerly afternoon sun. The house always looked impressive, yet was just a simple presentation.

Something like silver birch trees don't take up too much room but will provide some height and interest. Personally I pick out natives, after asking local garden centres for those which are natural to my area. I've used black mondo grass across the front of my walls with purple fountain grass behind it. The fountain grass really takes the summer heat, doesn't need much water and self-seeds. It's grown slightly taller than me after a few years. I have, what I call a 'survival of the fittest' garden. Over the years, I've experimented with all sorts of plants. Eventually, only those that survive with little help, and almost no extraneous watering, get to stay. One of the key things I did when planting out my garden was to dig down into the soil and lay a mat of used, natural-blend carpet underlay (not the more synthetic types used these days). Just ask someone getting rid of their old carpet- it's easy to come across. Above the carpet underlay I added water crystals, then put the soil back on top. After the gardens have been established, I haven't need to get the hose out since. I do have lots of succulents around the place, some native plants and ornamental grasses. I hope this helps.

Well, the yard is full of cacti and succulents... And it's new. The only things with flowers now are the euphorbia milii, so no especial attractant. Being a newish build (just less than 12 months since we moved in) there are many more established and flowery gardens within stone's throw. I really would hope there's nothing attractive on the bricks - it can't be the colour, as the garden walls are entirely different to the house, and built at a different time, (recently). There are other houses around with these bricks, but no sleeping bees! Lol. I hope the fairies at the bottom of the garden didn't spray sugar spray on the walls! I have no desire to plant large trees on my suburban block. I've put in a pomegranate which is still a small sapling, about a 60cm stick with no flowers. I've put in a Yucca, but it hasn't even a stem, yet, let alone flowers. That's why I'm stumped. The street trees are ornamental pear, however none are in flower, and we don't even have ours yet. A few blocks away they have the dreaded plane trees - beautiful, but deadly for my allergies. There are a few reserves, so I wish the trees would hurry and get big there so the birds have somewhere. They love builder's left over lunches, but there's not much shelter here. I'll try the thyme, but they like those flowers, too. I dunno! (Throws hands in air...) Wondering now, if it's because the bricks are heavily textured and they can grip well?

Thanks Jeanne and Janet :) My kitchen is certainly earning its keep during lockdown here in Melbourne - excessive amounts of cooking and baking happening ;) The renovation was great practice for lockdown, with three of us confined to bedrooms and a makeshift kitchen for a few months while the house was dismantled around us. Jeanne, the tiles are Hexion Snowflake from Southern Cross: http://www.scceramics.com/ProductsDetails.aspx?ProductRange=Folio&InvtID=B790-88&SelectedBy=Designs