Thanks kirstensomers, first up I'll take it that North is to the right of your first picture. A few other thoughts pop to mind: You're being very kind to neighbours if you put a bed along the pool fence as I figure you can't actually see it much from your house. I would suggest letting the pool fence run to lawn. You'll get enough sun to do it as it's facing east. You have to mow that verge anyway, and it would be great for guest parking! You could focus your efforts and $ instead on doing both sides of your lovely wide driveway. I would never usually say this but I almost feel as though the tree closest to the driveway should go. It doesn't provide useful shade in that position. It partially blocks the view from that balcony. Also, the two trees on that side make the garden seem very unbalanced. A single remaining tree could claim its rightful place as the magnificent feature tree. If you went for the chop on one tree it leaves you with a nice amount of space to plant beds on both sides of the driveway and allows for better views if that's what you prefer.That's option 1. For option 2 you could of course take the opposite view and decide to balance out those two trees by planting one large tree on the other side of the driveway! It all hinges on whether you prefer looking into the tops of your trees or prefer looking at whatever you can see from your house. Personal choice for sure. Either way, the driveway would get morning and midday sun. The sun would reflect off the concrete. I'll bet you score the sea 'breeze' there too. Tough gig. I'm with Timandra Design and Landscaping as this is the perfect environment for natives and those that act like them. As to plantings? Option 2 is easier. What type of trees are they in the picture? Plant one of them then under plant with hardy dietes or agapanthus until the shade grows in. Option 1 opens up other possibilities. Modestly sized trees would seem to be the go. Rows of Callistemon King's Park Red marching up both sides of the drive attracting all the birds? Olive trees for their silvery foliage? Once you have decided the area and height for plantings you can go to some fine nurseries that specialise in natives and their mates. Nice way to spend a couple of hours! I hope you have much fun with your garden. It's so exciting to put in all that work then watch your efforts multiplied by nature. Good luck!

What company is supplying the wormy chestnut? Some companies claim theirs is sourced from the Vic Govt, and is certified sustainable. It mainly is cut in East Gippsland from old growth forests. On the other hand some suppliers are saying its from rejuvenated forests some years after bushfires So both types of timber come from old forests. Wormy chestnut is now in fashion because of its lovely markings, as the trees often grow twisted.

My dad built our huge rumpus room. He passed away unexpectedly at 39 leaving mum and us two kids. His army mates came and finished it. The built in cupboard doors were "army built" and so heavy we could barely open them to get our toys out. We had a train set that folded up on to the wall and a peg board and window seats. It was a lovely space with polished floor boards and we spent all but the cold winter months in there and even then crammed around with the electric radiator. Very few neighbours had a rumpus room so we were a bit special. Lovely memories.

Its your rug, not gonna lie that's exactly what's wrong. Everything else can be worked with except that rug. I would rather look at floorboards than that rug. Go to a fabric shop and glue a pretty piece of fabric over the top of the rug if money is tight. Make sure fabric has that curtain plastic backing so glue doesn't show through. Also nothing in there has the same colour scheme, character, it comes from different era's, theme's, not sure how to explain it but... Cane chairs look like part of an outdoor setting, Wood chairs look like they are from a dining table, there is different wooden furniture with different stains all piled at one end of the room looking odd together. Then the chairs are too far apart to have a decent sit down and chat. The art is really random as well and not good Centre the small table in the window and put a big fern on it to give it width. It looks like a plant table. Split the room into two sections, use the skinnier end as like a card game area to play bridge or rummy. Use the larger section as your living\ talking area. Hang the TV on the wall. Use the tv unit as makeshift coffee table until you get something better. Put the two cane chairs closer together on the other end of the couch facing the window. Paint over your art pieces, even in white only, just texture the paint to make it look like something. All this is using pieces you already have. Now sit down and decide what look your going for in that room. Modern, Industrial, Farm house because your on a farm and just buy accordingly. Reuse your couch for now and just buy a white cover or cream and colour everything else. Buy some actual arm chairs that look inviting and cozy, throw rugs for everyone but pack them in a basket and don't do what magazines do by haphazardly throwing it on the couch. Like these baskets Extra or out of season cushions in one and blankets in the other. To intertwine modern and old they have to have a common ground? I don't know if that's the word but either the wood stain from modern and old should be similar/same or they have to have something in common besides function for them to mesh well together.