The area looks as though it will be a real hot-box. And the dull, dark colour will absorb the heat. I would suggest that you consider a much lighter and glossy paint for the surrounding walls and then the large pot in the centre. Many succulents burn as badly as any other plant when exposed to high heat, especially when in a pot. Also for consideration after changing the wall colour is a small tree like one of the smaller crepe myrtles. Once you have a canopy you can then underplant with small ground covering succulents or liriopes. I would steer clear of the white stones - they are a fad and will die out. EVERYone is using them and they are really boring. We need more trees in our gardens and there is definitely a place for a small tree in every garden. Trees provide depth. Unfortunately most people can't realise this.

I totally agree about removing the lawn and adding a path if it works into your budget. It will highlight the area as a thoroughfare and also remove the maintenance of mowing. Now if you were in Melbourne, I would recommend adding some focal colour using Grevilleas and then underplant with Correa and Dianella. But you are in Perth and I'm not sure about their suitability there! WA is known for it's great array of wild flowers (including Kangaroo Paws) so I am sure you can put together a really attractive blend of local natives. Advice from a local nursery would be beneficial. Good luck with it!

Hi, What a great house, love the agaves, you could plant a smaller variety with them to give a more stylish look, or try a mixture of grasses, lomandra, a structural plant in the garden bed , search for a dragon tree or something similar to compliment the agaves, it looks quite a hot spot as the Xanadu looks a little sunburned, maybe relocate it to a more morning sun spot, add a watering system and a stone mulch .. doesn’t need much to give a dramatic look to your gorgeous house.

lilypilys are lovely... I think some more lush green small trees and shrubs (there are plenty of native options) would help cool and soften the hard landscaping. Have you considered a small butterfly garden with a little path of steppers that wanders through? Your little one will love that as they get a little bit older. It will become a special little spot to wander and explore. I've converted my entire front lawn into a nature play space, the kids climb the lilypily and pick and eat the berries, they have a little cubby house they built under the front stairs. there are strappy grass plants and timber pathways that go across a 'creek' of river stones. the kids balance on the river stones and there's a big wooden log to climb. There is no lawn out here, and it seems to inspire a very different sort of play they watch the insects, and look for frogs and the flowers attract butterflies. stepped pavers mean hopping and jumping, wooden timber walkways help with balancing... all in all its still pretty safe though. plants flower regularly, there are bulbs that pop up and surprise the kids, and all the plants are rugged enough to withstand the occasional accidental falling into the garden. grasses that have silky tops, anything with berries and seeds and interesting seed pods things like lilypilys, a small area with river pebbles, the kids love playing with all of that, and lots of little bushes with small flowers that can be picked regularly and harvested into baskets. my favorite cheap and cheerful flowers include dogbane, nasturtiums, calendular, marigolds... herbs with interesting smells that can be crushed like rosemary, mint, lemonbalm. you can even make a safe fishpond in a tall pot... little guppies are fascinating to watch! And a bird bath would be nice. the back yard can be a more of a rowdy rough and tumble play area, but a little front yard can be a special place for wonder and exploring nature. Our front yard is really not a massive space but there's just enough to bring the butterflies and tiny birds and create an extra play option.