Go on ebay or Zilch (free giveaway site) and look up Plants people either getting rid of Free or you can buy. Like someone above suggested, Agapanthers, English box, Yakkas are great for height, and so many people cut them back and then leave on front nature strip to help yourself. Same with a bird bath for the circular section, go on line for second hand.. I painted the outside of my house which had a Red brick European look which I hated, with a washed lime from Porters Paints. Only one coat is required as it's a wash. You need to dilute the paint down. I really painted it on really thin around windows and doors to give the impression of a different couloured brick as a feature. Honestly I'm 64 female and di it myself. Above are before This was just a normal pot plant. I waterproofed the inside. plank to hold the tub above, and you have a cheap water fountain. Since these I have planted all around the pot and have a water plant that sits in pot also. Sorry don't have a photo, Just want u to see you can paint your bricks if you choose to. The wire infront was to keep the dog out as I placed 3 bags chicken manure around before I planted.

I would bring the roof line out with a pergola. Use hardwood timber and allow a natural patina to develop. This will help to give depth to the front of the home. Dont paint or stain the hardwood timber. Maybe a glory vine, but nothing just as good, and less work. I find the teal timber paint old-fashioned. Can it be stripped back to natural timber if hardwood? Otherwise a light charcoal grey would look better as the patina of the pergola timber would go this colour. I'd remove the existing garden. Maybe a native cottage garden around the periphery of the area to include some small gums for vertical accent as well as bird appeal. Keep the lawn area, but control any wandering kikuyu if this is the current lawn. Alison

You could replace front fence with a more modern type, add electronic gates for added security while away, your path could incorporate large pavers to add a stylish look, remove large conifer near letter box as they look a little dated now, use water wise plants like lomandra, ornamental grasses, black mondo looks wonderful planted amongst bright green foliage, add an automated watering system and stone mulch as this retains moisture , hopefully you can save your tree, you can cut the roots away from where they are damaging path and relay path, our trees did that and we removed part of the root and added a watering system and that seemed to work , exciting times ahead for you.

Some great ideas thank you Julie. If I can get away without painting the bricks I will because I actually quite like them too. I think the roof and guttering in a charcoal colour could be the answer. The front of the house has shrubs that need to be removed because they are blocking light to a bedroom and the bathroom. Divider needs to go too, it's old and dated.