@ EMILY! Thanks so much for showing us all that you've accomplished...what a big...ongoing job and its not cheap undertaking something like that. Thanks for the tip about the star jasmine...I have a beautiful planting of that.....or rather 'had'...I got a chap in to trim it for me who advertised himself as experienced....Oh Dear! He killed most of the vine by cutting it at ground level! Now its a brown horrible mess up a tall trellis and no privacy. I'm devastated. To make it worse the neighbour sits out on her back deck and calls out to me when I'm out there when before she couldn't see me.....I'm putting up atemporary reed screen...I think....would rather my star jasmine with the blackbirds nesting in it....I know the feeling of not jumping in in case one makes a regrettable mistake. I also had gardenias but once they get sick its not worth all the trouble. I've had to learn heaps about what plants are appropriate for my place and I've made some really silly mistakes too. I've never seen those cut laser panels before and am a bit intrigued. What are they used for,,outdoor lighting? That colourbond fence works really well as a privacy screen! You've done so much and have invested not only your hard-earned money but also your ideas! Hope you have some lovely times in your space.

It's really interesting that a higher number use it as a car shield or sand pit cover! We actually recently wrote an article based on some of your feedback, and came up with other ideas of our own. Anyone else use the shade cloth in these ways?? http://www.coolaroo.com/diy-hub/using-shade-cloth-in-the-great-outdoors

kitchen to south any day of the week....I'd also go further to suggest that possibly the building could have been designed to have the kitchen hard to the south boundary that would have opened up more north light opportunity and better use of the (unusable) side space behind the kitchen. You'd still need a light court for the bedrooms etc...& possibly by doing this the future pool could have been flipped and oriented more to the north/west corner and the net effect would be having more options/flexibility for the outside space, & also possibly alfresco area located on the north which is always better than to the west, so alternatively an extension that is more streamlined in design, following the line of the existing building rather than kicking out, I can see immediately that this type of design strategy would bring some arguably clear benefits on a number of levels .....not sure how far down the track you are (looks like still in concept/sketch design stage) may I add that it's always cheaper to consider re-design on paper rather than regretting less than ideal outcomes after they're built...... anyway food for thought........always consider the options and maintain an open mind...it's always ALL in the design Best of luck Cheer PD :)

Hi Have you considered closing in the lounge patio area with horizontal slatted screening? This could have a gate for easy access, if desired Then encourage guests to the right of the garage by installing a path & gardens - perhaps even another screen with a more ornate gate Grow a lovely tall tree to overhang the gate (pointsiana, jacaranda,african tulip tree) and add a water feature Make it worth the effort by decorating the front entrance with a huge pot, decorative screen on the wall and maybe some more greenery From the photos it seems that the area is sealed?? Add some more really big pots with bamboo or fast growing hedging plants to cover the bare wall of the garage Have fun with your project