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Hi, using black paint can add a real sense of the dramatic to a room. Used correctly on a fireplace it definitely would create a focal point, especially if used in contrast with white. This would also link well to the kitchen scheme you are looking to use, creating a good flow between the spaces. Black and white can be quite flat to the eye, adding texture and pattern in textiles and accessories can help balance this. Hope the pictures help.

Having had a few old fireplaces to restore, I think you need to carefully remove the timber surround, it could make a mess and then have all the surfaces patched with bricks and cement render, you will most likely have to build up the hearth so that the new gas fire sits correctly. Before doing any patching know the size of the gas fire

You could try Wet & Forget on the driveway. You can buy it ready to use and attach it to a hose or buy a bottle that you dilute to use in a sprayer. I have used it and it works - slower than water blasting but it won’t damage driveway if it has some damage? I can’t quite tell from photo if that’s grass clippings/mulch or broken concrete on driveway? If you use it be careful not to spray garden bed. I live in FNQ and we planted seaside daisy - doesn’t need watering but it also won’t die from our wet season. It’s a ground over and spreads out beautifully in a courtyard area that’s get a lot of sun. Just needs a trim from time to time. I see you have Rio (purple green ground cover) which you could separate and plant down the path but it does like water. Maybe for the fence you could try attaching lattice to it and plant another passion fruit vine to help cover the whole fence. It does look like you need to get rid of some woody parts of the passion fruit. It’s a tough plant and will enjoy a bit of pruning. We had one that I thought had died last year and it has returned with no help from me. Be careful with the heliconias and gingers ... they can get out of control if you don’t stay on top of them. Anything tall will cover your fence but it will also cover the passionfruit vine which obviously loves the spot it’s in. Good luck!