Thanks everyone for your further comments. No problem about it being an old post, always nice to communicate with people about design solutions/problems. Jilly, I posted some photos on 1st January 2016, they appear further up in the post. Garden Beet Pty Ltd, and Morel Construction Ltd, both of your solutions look great, but our problem still remains the western Queensland sun which is pretty vicious on anything that will either wilt, fade or break down. It was quite a difficult challenge to come up with something that was affordable, workable and durable. I would love to have had plants because I believe they soften large "hard" exterior areas, but we have decided that we will do that with pots around the pool area. Still have that to do, even after all this time. :) Thanks everyone for re-igniting this chat. Jilly, hope you find something that works for you.

Who on earth suggested artificial grass mounds? There are so many wonderful ways to inject tasteful design solutions into a garden. This one sounds at odds with that concept. But then I haven't seen the overall design project. It sounds like an overzealous landscape architect who is hell-bent on changing the site for the sake of construction. I would advise against them as they won't last - whatever you do will eventually break down!

I love the colours you suggest and they would really make the corner pop. Make it personal. Be brave. Options; Wall mounted boxes or floating shelves to display some colourful treasures above toddler height. Pinterest search 'Wall display Boxes" The next 2 sound a bit hippie but you can do them with your toddler and if they get pulled down noone gets hurt. - Fabric collage on a sore bought canvas with pieces of velvet, satin, silk in your favourite colours. Finding some vintage fabrics or op shop clothes to cut up is a cheap activity and add you can even add some bling or go with a geometric art deco style.Again Pinterest has great images. - Patchwork quilt style wall hanging eg.https://www.instagram.com/jenkingwell/?hl=en

I think the problem is that you have two different coloured materials abutting each other without enough contrast. The coping around the pool edge looks like a nice quality terracotta paver with a bull-nose edge in a sandstone colour. The rest of the paving looks like a standard terracotta brick paver. As you are on a budget I would keep the bull-nose edge material and replace the brick pavers with a large format concrete paver in a grey similar to the existing mortar colour. Replacing the bull-nose pavers is labour intensive and expensive. This will provide good contrast, visually tie in with the edge, and provide a cost effective, non slip surface. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls