Do a google image search of "nuts and berries architecture", "sevitt and Pettit", and perhaps "Sydney school architecture". Your house has been inspired by those styles/movements from late 60 and 70s Australian architecture and you should be able to find images of sensitive renovations that inspire you.

Hi Renee, I like the space and your furniture. Grey monochromes are very soothing, but need some colour for contrast. Some greenery would provide the life to make it all work. Your main problem is access, and the way the furniture is arranged it makes a small space even smaller by creating a skinny passage to the balcony, basically dead space. Here is my suggestion for a more open furniture arrangement. This provides room for a round dining table without eliminating the buffet. I would suggest a round glass coffee table so your beautiful rug remains the defining point of the lounge area. I would keep the TV on the low unit so it won't block too much of the light. That is also a better viewing height when sitting down. A big leaf pot plant alongside would complete that end and tie it all together. You might think about getting rid of the 3 silver sculptures (hear no evil, see no evil...). Purely decorative objects can easily make a small space seem cluttered, and they steal useful unloading surfaces.

I love Irene's photos and the suggestion to build a wall inside the boundary to square off the front angle, with plantings in front of it. This would be a brave move (I would probably get a landscape designer in for this if you go this way). Otherwise (I haven't read the previous comments, apologies in case I repeat or contradict), I would plant a fuller medium sized tree in the front right side (the deepest part), though centred, not in the point itself! Something like a full Manchurian Pear (though be committed to pruning it to keep it from growing too large, they don't grow too fast, it should be manageable - otherwise try a pretty Snow Pear (my favourite!) or a Bradford for a more compact but pretty shape - you can even pleach (ie take off the lower branches to keep the first metre of trunk nice and bare for a more sculptural look), or if you want something that will keep more compact without too much trouble, a beautiful crepe myrtle (Ilove the white Natchez variety) makes a lovely sculptural feature tree. You can underplant this with a square garden bed with star jasmine (just keep it trimmed to shape) and they look amazing with some under lighting at night (easy DIY kits available these days). Then along the right fence line I would add plantings to keep it private and looking lovely, again I would go Chanticleer ornamental pear (or Capital are even more narrow but I don't love them, though they're very popular). Again you can underplant with hardy, quick growing and low maintenance star jasmine. Then along the driveway on the right side, plant something lower and along the left side (if you have soil here), plant Sweet Viburnum (I love this, we've planted the Dense Fence variety), again, quick growing, beautiful foliage and low maintenance.

Hi Rick, I am presuming you are in Queensland because of the pebble crete driveway. If so i would suggest you get rid of the whole dated bed and go back to lawn. Save what you can from the bed, the palms and conifers would look great in pots. They could also be put in long planter box under the front window symmetrically with an agave in the middle. Your house has straight geometric lines so would suit formal style garden with Murraya hedging, grow to mid thigh height across the front from letterbox , leaving open for entry path, and both sides could be higher. For height I would plant advanced Bangalow palms or candle stick Cyprus pines either side of your entry, and put a stepping stone pathway in the lawn, from your front boundary near letterbox to the front door to save visitors from squeezing past cars. The other path which comes off the driveway would be just for your own use. I would under plant these with 3 Cycads or Zanadu for each, fill in and edge with Rhoeo making a small bed. This will make your entry stand out. Improve soil with compost or cow manure be for planting and mulch well with dark cottage mulch. On the right hand side between the end of the window and the new hedge I would plant a shady evergreen specimen tree in the front corner of thelawn. The trees over the road in the pictures look good. Tuckeroo tree? Under plant to soften with star jasmine ground cover. Clip to keep neat. your lawn needs feeding then it will lush up and be more protected from the heat. Keep blade high, don't scalp! Simple and clean lines look modern and stylish. Good luck! Josie