John you are fortunate to have such a yard, although the tennis court does aspect as a divider breaking up the space, I think this creates an opportunity to create garden zones or rooms. Intimate garden spaces can be individual enough and still be integrated into a larger footprint. Your garden perhaps may be viewed from different windows, and have different aspects, therefore will have different requiremnts of sun, shelter etc. As the second picture appears to have a shed or structure, and looks more of a utility space, I would obstruct the view from the court, by planting a Boston ivy to cover the fencing, providing a delicate hanging foliage wi ever changing colours of reds and greens. I would do the same on the opposite fencing that overlooks the main lawn area, although I would create a large window effect by clipping or restraining the creeper from a large square in the centre fencing section. Tis will create a room with a view in the foreground, and with effective and clever planting, lighting and design elements, you will create an interesting viewpoint that will direct interest into the yard beyond the court. In the background, the timber fence I would plant your murray a hedge, so the small blooms will soften the look of the fence, paint it a dark colour, like domino by dulux so the foliage stands out against it, and gives an illusion of a deeper boundary. In front of that, centre to your created window in your fencing, place either a sculptural element, in the form of an urn, a formal topiary or statue, perhaps a small water feature with lighting, so it extends the perspective yet again. With the green hedges now creating the walls of your garden room, plant your chosen iceberg roses in front of that, and some informal plantings below. I suggest a bench to watch a match or two, and utilize the other garden Rea to house things such as your patio furniture. Garden rooms don't necessarily make a space smaller, rather they may invite you to meander through garden rooms with beautiful elements and relaxing places to sit. I would also like the look of manchurian pear trees along the fencing if you don't like the idea of a creeper.

Consider another street tree nearer the pedestrian entrance, with a plant bed that swirles around to the big wall, and another plant bed on the downhill side of the front walk. Let the guests relax a bit and smile on route to your welcome area.

I think a formal garden like in that beverly hills house would look really great with what you have planned. Its a big grand old house so it really suits to go quite grand in the style. i think the pencil pines in that picture would be a good addition to your front garden, The long lines really suit the height of the house. Some height in the garden is really what's lacking in your garden, also consider long tall flowers like lillies, agapanthus, hippeastrums or alliums. A few pants that echo the line and height of the columns would look great.

Hi Zara.... that's good to have answers to those questions... now I think you just need to work out your budget... timber fencing with slight gaps are probably the most economical and you can 'tart them up' with a lick of pain to compliment your beautiful house and front yard... colour bond panels with timber posts can look really good and are a cost effective option too. Do you want an automatic sliding roller gate for vehicular access that is in line with existing fencing? A few of our neighbours have those and they work well and look like part of the fence until it starts to slide to the side to let their cars in & out. Our neighbour has a a very high blue picket fence with the driveway sliding gate in the same material.