Thanks kirstensomers, first up I'll take it that North is to the right of your first picture. A few other thoughts pop to mind: You're being very kind to neighbours if you put a bed along the pool fence as I figure you can't actually see it much from your house. I would suggest letting the pool fence run to lawn. You'll get enough sun to do it as it's facing east. You have to mow that verge anyway, and it would be great for guest parking! You could focus your efforts and $ instead on doing both sides of your lovely wide driveway. I would never usually say this but I almost feel as though the tree closest to the driveway should go. It doesn't provide useful shade in that position. It partially blocks the view from that balcony. Also, the two trees on that side make the garden seem very unbalanced. A single remaining tree could claim its rightful place as the magnificent feature tree. If you went for the chop on one tree it leaves you with a nice amount of space to plant beds on both sides of the driveway and allows for better views if that's what you prefer.That's option 1. For option 2 you could of course take the opposite view and decide to balance out those two trees by planting one large tree on the other side of the driveway! It all hinges on whether you prefer looking into the tops of your trees or prefer looking at whatever you can see from your house. Personal choice for sure. Either way, the driveway would get morning and midday sun. The sun would reflect off the concrete. I'll bet you score the sea 'breeze' there too. Tough gig. I'm with Timandra Design and Landscaping as this is the perfect environment for natives and those that act like them. As to plantings? Option 2 is easier. What type of trees are they in the picture? Plant one of them then under plant with hardy dietes or agapanthus until the shade grows in. Option 1 opens up other possibilities. Modestly sized trees would seem to be the go. Rows of Callistemon King's Park Red marching up both sides of the drive attracting all the birds? Olive trees for their silvery foliage? Once you have decided the area and height for plantings you can go to some fine nurseries that specialise in natives and their mates. Nice way to spend a couple of hours! I hope you have much fun with your garden. It's so exciting to put in all that work then watch your efforts multiplied by nature. Good luck!

Hi I love the lounge colour and your coffee table. I think if space is an issue and you need the study area go with the ply wood suggestion on the storage drawers and decorate with cool stationary accessories like bright folders and storge files etc. I love the teal green idea and also apple green cushions. I feel like with the lounge and coffee table style you could get away witth introducing some almost industrial accessories. I think metallics are great to lift a room and there are so many colours ranging from muted neutrals to bright gold and silver. I also love playing with texture and you can get some great metallic wall art, lamps, vases etc mixed with cosy throws and rugs. I love metallics teamed with neutral especially your grey walls and colour of your floor boards. Good luck and Happy decorating Kind regards Alison

If you can't change the purple blinds, try and tie them in with layered cream, beige and chocolate brown bedding. A natural wicker style light fitting with matching side lamps. Above the bed, perhaps a large wicker wreath with a few sprigs of lavender (real or not) threaded throughout. If there's room, a chair painted or covered. With the chair you could choose floral or striped, as long as there's Browns, 'soft mauve' with touches of lemon. At the foot of the bed, you can purchase a cheap polyester doona, cut it in half and dye it the required colour. I've done this and it works well. I've then sewn wooden buttons at all the quilted points. Good luck.

Thanks Anne and I will look at pale grey given the maintenance considerations. I have already paid for a colour consultant who was great but the Reckless grey she suggested for the house render and basalt gutters/fascia and front wall were too grey when we had the render samples put on and while it had a modern look, it was not giving the beach/coastal feel. I will head back into our inspirations paint store this morning to see if I can find the warm grey colours that have the most similar colour make up to Dune, and go from there. Anne you don't happen to know the dulux colour most close in composition to Colorbond Dune so I know where to start? Thanks again and I would love to hear from anyone who has got a dune roof and hear if they tried light coloured gutters and what render colours they have used on their walls.