Hi. We were just discussing same option on the weekend. Our solution was......make up a timber frame to cover door ( like a false free standing wall) insulate with batts to reduce heat/ cold/ noise if required and then just gyprock over. You could actually do two false walls so if at a later date you wish to remove just half for whatever reason, it would be easier. These walls could even be on sold at a later date as there is def a demand for similar fit out. For the single door, you could always put cupboards under and then build them in by creating a false bulkhead to hide the roll or move one of the cupboards and construct a built in media cabinet with bulkhead once again to hide the roll. Hope this helps. ☑️

Im just about to embark on the same process with the same vintage house(I have blonde brick). Would you use a deck in the front yard of your house? Unless you have an awesome view don't waste your money with the deck, just build a carport(its substantially cheaper). Im currently toying with two ideas. Building a large pergola, like what "portpiro" suggested but with a solid roof as I need protection from the elements for one of our cars. Or build a carport up to the boundary using blueboard to clad and have a double size door, similar to the pic I have attached. Hope this helps

the parapet (the flat wall sticking up on front of the garage) is sloping down and should look horizontal..if you add some fascia the same colour as the fascia on on the main roof it would look straight and widen the horizontal line and improve the look of the building and consider a lighter coloured garage door but, the cottage look with central path conflicts with the original style of the home...consider a simple horizontal slatted fence (painted to match the new lighter coloured garage door or white to match ethe trim on the house with a side gate off the driveway with a diagonal or curved path to the front door .. a front fence and garden always looks better

Your needs for your home should ultimately drive the decisions....it's tricky jumping in and out on these things, particular after a design process has already occurred, as the projects developed as a result of decisions over various aspects and prioritising of the various goals. Function should drive the decisions one way or the other - THEN we work out how to make it aesthetically/spatially balanced one way or the other..........whatever you do you need to have solid reasoning and justification for all decisions.............. regarding your carport structure, you may well come to the confident conclusion that open private outdoor space/landscaping is a better use of that area for your and your property and that's the best option for you. Be careful not to get confused by differing advice here and whilst all ideas can be valid, the risk is losing your bearing with your own goals. I could argue both sides, a real estate agent may say you're diminishing market value, but you as the owner may prefer a larger rear yard. Not right or wrong, just different priorities and perspectives...... Typically when it comes to this stuff, our instincts are the best compass........but be sure you have taken time to think through options and have the right info.....after years of doing this I can say instinct never fails, but less then ideal outcomes can occur by not trusting your gut Cheers PD