Miranda You appear to be making all the right choices in life. I will be a little bit presumptuous by offering some advice on helping you to raise your child in touch with nature in this age full of all the electronic lures that keep the kids indoors. or, when outdoors, glued to a small screen, rather than the glory that surrounds them. I am writing a book about landscape architecture and have a section regarding the importance of embracing nature in the preschool years. - which I would like to forward that section to you. However, my computer skills are limited to email and US Mail. I don't even know how to attach a picture to the text. If you would like to receive this draft from my future book, send me your email or postal address, and I'll get it right off to you. My email is cascio.offsite@gmail.com Good luck with your new challenges and opportunities. Joe Cascio

Paving paint would be a cheaper option, Modwood is expensive but there is no maintenance, you could you use just ordinary timber decking for a timber look as well but it won't be as inexpensive as paint obviously. I think paint will look cheap. If it was me and I only had a choice between painting the tiles or leaving them as is, I'd leave them as is. I'd worry that it would scratch off the tiles especially on the ends. I used to have a garage painted in grey paving paint, it was very Matt looking, not shiny and the grey looked really grubby after a while. The tiles may not be your favourite part of the porch but make the decorating items the feature or save up and get them replaced with a grey tile you love. It's a small area so it shouldn't cost the earth. Do the removal yourself which would save you some money. It would really update the front of your house.

Hello, I am hoping this may be of relevance to your build. If you are looking at any retaining walls and water tanks then Landscape Tanks may be the option for you. See some images below; Retaining walls and front fences that store rain water - seems impossible doesn't it? All these lovely pictures above are actually retaining walls that store rain water, which may seem hard to believe - well its not and lots of people are using them already with stunning results. Many people stare at these pictures and can't see the tanks without realising the lovely structures are the tanks themselves. Many people also like the appearance of the tanks so much they don't even fill them with water. These great Landscape Tanks are designed for use as structural retaining walls and front fences that store rain water and they can also be used for many other structures around the home. You can even have your front fence as your on site detention system if you like. They are made from high grade concrete (50mpa) and provide a fantastic alternative to traditional retaining walls or front fences and are very cost effective. The Landscape Tanks do not require any footings, are very easy to install and may be placed straight on a firm level base for great savings. They are are pre-engineered (empty) for use as retaining walls, which means they are also ideal for other structures around your home, such as front fences, on site detention systems, pool or pergola surrounds, water tanks, fire fighting water tanks, and raised garden beds. The planter top also has many other uses (apart from growing plants) including water features, outdoor kitchens, decking and even spectacular light shows all at the same time while still being used for your retaining wall or front fence. The Landscape Tanks are all quality and designed to last over 100+ years (or even 150 years) and they add that WOW factor to your home. So whether you are looking for retaining walls in Sydney or retaining walls in Melbourne or just browsing for retaining wall ideas, block retaining walls or concrete sleeper retaining walls, look no further than the fantastic multi purpose quality Landscape Tanks. You may be very surprises at just how cost effective they can be. Product sizing and capacities also available at http://www.landscapetanks.com.au/technical-info/specifications/ Our Landscape Tanks may be used for any of the following individually or concurrently in the same project and they deliver great savings and results. Retaining Walls Simply place into position for instant results - no footings required. On site detentions systems Save money - you may avoid using a detention system altogether. Front Fences Stunning front fences that store rain water and even double as retaining walls. Rain Water Tanks Turning rain water tanks into a feature for your property. Pool landscaping Stores rain water for the pool and keeps plants out of chlorine level. Raised Garden Beds Ideal working height for growing vegetables and herbs. Water Features and Light Show Using the planter tops for other uses can deliver amazing results. Features Pre-engineered - we provide you with your own set of engineering drawings. No footings required - easy to install - no excavation required. They will look the same in 100+ years as the day they are installed. They turn water tanks into a feature of your property. Made from 50mpa high quality concrete for exceptional long life. Enhance to appearance of your property - attractive landscape architecture. Let us design your OSD system and chances are you wont need an OSD system at all. Add value and that WOW factor to your quality home. Very cost effective

I think the problem is not the house but the edges of the property- I would plant some screening shrubs along the fence line next to the white house. I think you also need some greenery or other shrubs behind the brick fence where the lawn is currently. An architecturally strong plant such as Lavender would look good in the brick planter box. I would avoid rendering and painting as the house looks like ti has a good bone structure and too much paint can be distracting- just enhance what you have by working on its context - which is the garden. Good luck.