We too have covered alfresco on north & we raised the gable alfresco roof above the lowest point of the house skillion roof. The gable roof has a peak of approximately 4 metres & this allows controlled light into the alfresco plus heat is naturally expelled at the highest point either end of the gable. It works very well though winter sun is lower and we welcome this in. Google 'flyover roof' to see examples but it will need to be engineered for council approval. Our gable is supported at the house side through engineered support posts that are bolted to the roof bearers of the house. A skillion flyover is also an option. You would definitely need to consider the impact of an alfresco roof on the amount of light coming in to your home & you may still need skylights. Without a roof it will be hot unless protected by trees or other shade device/structure. We added shade sails as well due to summer sun is harsh in Queensland.

I would not be inclined to plant a Murraya for your hedge. I have a Murraya hedge and am forever clipping it. The branches also become a bit thick to trim. The Indian Hawthorne pictured is in my opinion a more suitable plant. It flowers most of the year and is easy to keep in shape or can be left to grow naturally. It comes in whit or different shades of pink. The pink variety is a slower grower therefore less clipping. Go and have a look at the nursery to see if you like the foliage and flowers. I agree with the comment, not to try to keep the pines which somebody else has planted. This is your home now and you have the opportunity to design the garden. Good luck with your new garden. Jan

Hi again Kate, Thanks. The 'white' in the kitchen tiles is actually a cream colour. Photos don't always reveal the true colour. But I like your idea. I think I'll keep the same colours in the kitchen as they work well; they just need a refresh. I do love white, and I'm still inclined to go with white in the other rooms, with perhaps a cool or warm undertone on the walls and a lighter white for ceilings. On the elements at home site, http://elementsathome.com.au/2013/02/12/how-to-choose-your-white-paint/site it talks about and shows the difference between cool whites (slight blue/grey undertone) and warm whites (red, yellow undertones). I think I'm leaning towards cool whites as the lounge, dining and bedrooms have good size windows so a fair amount of natural light. I have a lot of bright art and pottery on display in all rooms so I think this would add colour in the rooms against the whiteness. Thoughts?

much as i prefer a separate powder room including a handbasin the separate powder room takes up too much space better used for a bigger kitchen and dining area and retain a bigger a master bedroom with modest single bedroom/study ... my stair location doesn't need a full wall and the open stair well allows more light downstairs and a downstairs side entry from an extended carport and easy access to under stair storage ...and i've stolen space off the biggest downstairs bedroom to increase the other bedroom and laundry...hopefully the new indoor stairs could allow you to lose the outdoor stairs and reduce size of new externally screened western windows and enjoy more space in the garden previously needed for the outdoor stairs