An eclectic grouping of items with a common element, for example a similar texture or colour - they needn't match, just share whatever element it is that complements the room decor... casual elegance never seems to date!

From the photos it looks like your Mum already has many lovely pieces. Perhaps you could have a girls' day shopping and choose something together which would have special meaning to her. Or else go for something different and treat her to a day of pampering at a beauty clinic - massage, manicure, pedicure, facial - the list goes on. Olivia, I'm sure she will love whatever you do.

Which Perth suburb? nearly all Perth is awful sand, takes years to get it good. Sabrina Hahn is the best for advice here in Perth; Josh Byrne on Gardening Australia is also wonderful. Succulents are brilliant low care plants, and I was in Bunnings Melville today and saw they have have good sized plants for under $12, so much cheaper than they have been. if you don't want to bring in massive loads of good soil, compost etc, go for the stunning succulents which are now available. North sun in Perth is pretty hot, but it is lovely to have warming your house in winter. perhaps try a tough small deciduous tree like Manchurian Pear - make sure it's not one of the skinny ornamental pears though. if using succulents I am not sure they would complement each other though. Do you really want lawn? It is lovely but quite time consuming. Whatever you do don't forget we only get 2 waterings of 10 minutes each a week; or three waterings if you have a bore, so don't buy anything which is a water guzzler. Josh Byrne, of Gardening Australia, has put in lovely WA natives in his garden - I love our banksia, grevilleas etc, and you can get fabulous different coloured kangaroo paws now too, you could fill in the front area with these, and use one iof our lovely Pepper trees, or one or two or three of the stunning Ficifolia Eucalyptus (smallish trees with blossoms of hot orange or dark red), or a wonderful Eucalyptus Macrocarpa with its large silver leaves and huge red blossoms - google it, you will love it. Orange gravel rolled into bitumen is a lovely driveway finish, if you can find someone to do it in Perth! I can't, only can find a coloured gravel which I hate. I also love the way smallish stones or gravel are used as driveway surfaces, but a bit tricky for older people like me to walk on. if you are going for lawn, perhaps a circle in the centre of the lawn, with a Meyer Lemon, which is quite low care, and would look lovely with tough blue and agapantus surrounding it - a simple garden, easily maintained. The lemon would love the north aspect. Improve the soil for the lemon though. Rosemary hedges are lovely, you could edge the drive with that. Also a tough plant which grows well in Perth.

I love Julie's ideas of succulents , especially the pics with several different ones in the same pot . As far as the grey , I wouldn't -- you look like you like colour and excitement , so I'd go yellow on the pots -- a similar or slightly brighter shade then the cushion on the couch or chair to the left . It would tie it all in , and make that lovely mat look more like a feature too IMO . Without knowing 'the bigger picture' ( what else is 'happening' around that wall ) , just what I see I'd be inclined to add a light either side of the door too -- stick to the same shade as the joinery ( personally , I'd go for a 'clean rustic; style with say 15 squares each side ) , or if brave ( and assuming the guttering etc is probably a similar charcoal as your door joinery ? ) , go for the same yellow as your pots -- add a Wow !