It depends on where you are situated. Japanese Maples are from........Japan. Their climate is much kinder than ours and they also get significant winter cold and snow. If you can't replicate these conditions, then you are forever pampering them to try to keep them looking good. Personally I would prefer to grow a tree that I KNOW will work without the fuss. They are also fussy about soil and hot northerly winds.

That’s a great kitchen, the view is fabulous, I think replacing fridge with s/steel one ( no magnets on door) add s/steel stools , fab white bowls along top of cupboards then take another look, it looks great in photos, if anything replace bench top, quartz as suggested could look great, I think it’s a pretty awesome area , lucky you, I would be so happy if my kitchen had your outlook. But on saying that if you want a complete new kitchen I am sure you will get some great ideas from other Houzzers

Of course kitchens of this style often have hanging pot racks which I like to call pot chandeliers. Source an old ladder with character and hang from the ceiling on hooks and chain above the ding table for a talking point or be creative an use a pulley rope to lower it above the corner bench top next to the oven. Pots and crockery take up a huge amount of space. Allocate zones and use them practically. This bench in the corner would make a great breakfast nook, where a toaster, coffee station could be set up and have baskets underneath for dry store pantry items. Select a feature colour for the room, use it in fabrics stools or prints to add personality, perhaps select a fabric and create a pelmet over the corner window and also hang it below that bench top on wire curtain string to hide all the bits below. A gingham would look great Ml design

Thanks Jen, It is a great spot. My husband is the hedger and always reminds me when working in the garden, " that we snip, prune and mow so it looks good now !. "Not in a week or a month when it grows back" I'm a bit rough, always in a hurry. Yes we are very lucky to have such a quiet part of the world, it is beautiful. (Sarina Beach) If I could just get council to seal our very short, no through street it would be perfect. The traffic dust can bad. The houzz unfortunately was originally built close to the road so we were limited by council on what we could do out the front, We had to apply for a relaxation in the laws. They granted our plans for 2 meters. We are happy with how the deck has come up and the hedge gives a bit of privacy from the street yet does not obstruct our view at all. (While catching a bit of the dust as well.) It has been hard work, I went and got an owner builder permit and have been bringing in the trades as needed. With both of us still holding down full time jobs we have had weekends where we have gone back to work on Monday for a rest. Sure I'd love to keep you guys up to speed as we plod on to the finish line. Cheers!