Hi guys , you are about to embark on a major renovation that will enhance your lifestyle which is great . I would highly recommend that you engage a professional landscape designer to maximise your investment . The long term benefits will definitely outweigh the relatively small investment of a couple of thousand dollars on a great design of the spaces and how they will bring the most fun and enjoyment to your family , and at the same time increase the value of your home . Step one is to seriously consider your budget , and then get a great design that maximises every dollar . Your budget will drive your overall design concepts and your construction priorities . This is even more reason to be working with a good design plan which will guide you through the whole process and keep you on track . The plan will manage your trades and keep the project true to the overall design objectives . From a design perspective , your suggested black and grey colour scheme would work if you are going to render and /or paint over your house brick , so that the actual home is modernised as part of the total project . If you are not going to do that , then maybe you would consider a lighter but still modern colour scheme for your outdoor structures . You can still trim with touches of black . The black pool fence is designed to make the structure visually disappear , so I am not sure if you should be choosing black as your dominant outdoor colour as dark structures also are hard to see in bright sunshine , plus they are harsh on the eyes up close . But black trim added to lighter thicker timber pergolas can add a sophisticated and elegant detail line . Have you had your pools pressure relief valve checked to make sure the concrete shell doesn't pop out of the ground whilst the pool is empty ? Your photos show that the view from inside your home out to the pool area takes your eyes beyond the pool area and into the distance . A good landscape design and placement of outdoor structures will help you bring your outdoor pool areas " back to the house " . Also choosing appropriate planting will be an important part of creating your own little paradise at home . Don't be scared to create some visual vertical barriers as they will give a beautiful private resort feel to your home , and they will actually make the outdoor pool area seem larger , but cosy . Carefully look at the orientation of everything that is designed for your outdoor spaces , as your pool area is exposed , so shade and weather protection are crucial as part of the design. Lastly , I hope you guys read my comments as constructive input and not negative , as I am just trying to help you consider the " big picture " with your home and investment . If you do it well , you will have great fun and maximise your dollars . Good luck Glenn

i would also like to add.. if you can id remove the extra path of brown brick pavers and landscape this row with a row of lovely plants like protons large lush leaf plants to add some impact and fill with more river stones. i think adding a couple of lovely potted plants behind the wall would give it a fresher look. I also agree with the other posters not to render. If the future owners would like to render they can. It can be a very messy process in which plants often get damaged..so best to leave it, unless you want to wait till they have all recovered. All the best with your sale. Also i believe adding a fresh porch light will modernise the entrance as well as a great new door matt.

Yay! Go Tony!!

Landscaping is for long term. Lots of people use plants like neighbors begone to quickly hide neighbours, but a canopy tree or two may look better longer term and filter rather than fully block views so you don’t feel hemmed in. Weeding and maintaining garden beds can be just as high a maintenance as lawns. Really sit in your favourite spots and think about what you want to see and visualise how you would use the space, now, in 5 and 10 years. Put bins and hoses around to help envision plan. Think where does the sun hit the yard at diff times of day and year, how will it be affected by screening etc. walk around your neighborhood and take pics of plants the At grow well and you like. More helpful if in flower for identification. Then list your values and priorities for an expert to consider, more important than any concept plan. This will also help staging for your budget