Hi oskuee, tonic3000 We've swapped the photos to represent a minimal difference in lighting. We did not undertake any renovation work on this property, simply styled it for sale in creating a welcoming home. Presentation sells!

Looks very nice!

1) My cost saving suggestion to you is PAINT, this is going to give you the cheapest tool to change the Miners cottage appearance to attract attention. 2) Leave Roof as is, no Paint ,the roof being left natural to me gives it a studio edge.(and saves precious dollars 3) Wall colour in a darkish grey with all white trim, I was going to suggest a beige colour but it looks like your neighbour has these colours so that's why I'd go bold with wall & fence colour. 4) Perhaps you could build a small fence like the metal one I sent you, this would be made up with scrape material nd place to the R/H side of the driveway, can't see whats on that boundary 5) Gutter and eaves same colour as walls 6) Gates shinny black 7) Keep existing window & door shades and paint them all white, no stripes 8)Front door of your choice, Red and make the studio door a different colour to help students find there way, Yellow 9) Looks like you have a crushed gravel path running along the side of the house to the studio, try to define this from the gate so that you don't have everyone cutting across the verandah, 10) It would be good to have some screening on the Verandah, mesh or other affordable material. 11)Trim the grass, plant some hedging behind the fence and plant some red NZ flax plants off to the right side of the garden 12)Paint garage like house this would help to bulk out the building and make it look a bigger property 13) PAINT good luck

Hey there Ruth BT, thanks for opening up to the Houzz community for some ideas. It's a tough one when you have so many options to choose from. It sounds like you need a convertible space and some room to move/change things up. Have you considered perhaps some high quality synthetic turf, with some feature trees and lower planters or climbing plants to compliment? Maintains a modern look, without overdoing the coastal theme. Shade sails are also a great way to provide shade while plants are growing in, without compromising the style of your home or breaking the bank. Hope these suggestions spark some ideas - we're looking forward to seeing the end result!