could you get fabric with the wallpaper pattern ? sometimes the wallpaper company has the match ? if so do one cushion to go with one of the grey ones, otherwise, I would try and match one grey with one of the other colour in the wallpaper. 2 cushions is enough for the size of the bench. Try another arrangement for the rug, put it right to the door (it is not big enough for central use in that space) , move the table to the back near the wallpapered wall, add an armchair (like a bergere) beside it. Nothing on the left of the entrance wall, what is there is the wrong scale and too high . I would also try a long circular tablecloth in an off-white on the table, it would give substance to the arrangement. I love your wallpaper, but I think the other walls would benefit with a darker tone imitating the wallpaper background colour. It is almost there keep going.

Hi Sandra, I would recommend a wicker compact lounge setting with a driftwood finish to go with your paver - this supports the rustic touch of your current area , such as this example below from Freedom Furniture: http://www.freedom.com.au/furniture/outdoor/outdoor-tables/23455764/umbria-outdoor-sofa--coffee-table-package-amazontaupe/ You can use outdoor throw cushions and decorative accents like hurricanes/lanterns that are of brighter colours to spruce up the setup.

That's tole painting on the trunk, bit I can see where you might get bored with it eventually. If you are going to kerp it in the outdoor area then a frame with legs or castors would be a good idea. Otherwise you may find your trunk rusting underneath. Everybody has such great ideas, I favour the distressed look myself, use all the colours of the accessories. Then finish with a melamine spray to seal it. The orange trunk was lovely too! You can keep cushions and throws in it, or toys, or games. A really useful item.

Wow, what a difference, I had no idea just how big the area was from the before photos, but this looks great - clean and easy to maintain as well. I can see in time the plantings will give a nice lushness and softness to the area that will also help visually cool the area in summer as well. I also like the elevated garden - I can assure you this is a real bonus in senior years. Wondering how many of the old crowd are still around, I lost the ability to post photos after a computer update quite some years back and then couldn't make comments either, so I'm thrilled suddenly the site seems to be working for me. I felt I'd been excommunicated. Not long after this post, I up and sold my Sydney house, was totally fed up with the overdevelopment happening and moved to Port Stephens for some quiet country life. Bought a house on a small block of land that wouldn't be too much for me to maintain in my senior years and the back garden faces north so gets sun all day winter and summer - beautiful in winter as it lets the sun in the house on that side too, but almost unliveable in summer. House had been leased all its life so I literally had a blank canvas - after I'd levelled the craters the tenant's dog had created - I needed privacy from neighbours but didn't want a lot of maintenance, including no lawns to mow, so I've used low maintenance shrubs growing to about 2m around the perimeter and 4 crepe myrtles in the centre area for shade to sit under in summer while allowing full sun in winter. Just waiting for everything to grow now, but thanks to Covid and lockdowns, I've had plenty of time to garden. Thanks for the update Rog, I hope everyone is staying safe and well.