@fianou, Thank you for your kind words, I agree it's coming along, although not everyone knows that we've been building this home for 8 years now, using only our own money as humble farmers!!! We live in a tiny but comfortable7 square, (roughly) relocatable home and I personally can't wait to get into my new home with all the room and room to put everything in it's place!!! Right now all my posessions are boxed or wraped and in storage in various locations here on the property like our woolshed and an old caravan, as well as things stored in my mother's home a few kms away and with the home having just been sold, means I will have to move this furniture here and add to the mountain of things already in storage!! I'm sorry to say and hope I don't offend, that I don't have an affinity with hanging pots and plants and hubby would literally "cringe" at the thought of growing a vine up our new posts ha-ha I have got a pair of large pots either side of the front door , visible in the photo, housing Wisteria's that I hope to be able to keep tamed and they shoud look lovely when in flower. I originally planned to have about 20 standard roses along the front of the home but they are too much work I've decided and more often than not look quite shabby at certain times, especially when they are dormant, so instead, I have decided to plant several standard grevilleas in a nice stone mulch with a brick border as is the rest of my garden for easy mowing. I actually have quite a large garden but mulch is definitely the way to go and I have used a few different types of stone mulch, as well as tree mulch and woodchips and this reduces my weeding workload, the bain of all gardeners. I'm almost 60 and want to enjoy my home and garden but do not want it to become a burden but should I ever consider a hanging basket, perhaps indoors, I will be reminded of you!!! ha-ha Cheers, Barbara

For a real budget makeover you could reuse the slabs of concrete that are still in good condition and remake the path intermingling smaller slabs and planting temple grass or creeping thyme ( as mentioned) etc...lots of pics online for this. Maybe affording complete upgrade of your choice where you need it most.

Thanks Ill, our pool was a difficult shape and position so the best solution for us was the lovely timber which does have a small gap between it and the pebble crete so helps with sand and dirt but leaves will always find their way in especially if you trees nearby. It looks lovely, we use a long handled gadget with a rectangle pad to recoat every six months depending on weather. We have changed to British Paints Aqua Deck which does a better and less expensive job. Also be careful with any use of real timber up to the edge of the pool as it can leech out and stain your pool. cheers

Who did the design and planning around the pool , because thats quite nice -- the plants , the colourful and playful couch , and what looks like a mat or maybe tiles inlaid . The fence isn't great , but it does its job ( complies with the bylaws and looks pleasant enough ) . So why did you just do that blob ? Wooden planters mean you can move them around ( on castors is slightly better , but they tend to pull out after the timber ages ) , get another similar couch and 2 or 3 chairs , build in a bbg or firepit or both , or just have a larger stainless bbq on wheels . Add sail cloth triangle or pergoda , even those opening slats . Add another outdoor rug , some colourful pots , even a bigger chess set ( even if you don't play chess ) . Add corten or alloy lasercut panels . You could even add a TV somewhere near where the round bbq is ( i.e. out of the weather ) . Sure , it would have been bettter to plan in advance , but it can be saved or at least hidden !