Hmm potentially although I suspect I couldn't reach to the back of it. Definitely not to do the alternating coloured panels I initially wanted but maybe with a roller on a pole....thanks for your suggestion, will look into it!

I would choose a light, warm colour for the walls. If you are uncertain what to use, you can pay for a colour consultant will go to your house to put forward their recommendations. According to their website, Dulux charges $150 for this service. I think it's worth that amount if undecided on colour. I love plantation shutters, however, with the extra large windows and doors in your house it would cost a lot to install them. Alternatively you could use layered curtains or insulated curtains. Use heavy fabrics or layered curtains over the windows to keep out drafts. Or, purchase insulated curtains with built-in thermal backing. Window pelmets are also good for keeping out the cold.

Do you have any photos, so that we can better understand what you want to do?

I think it depends on our age and stage of life. I am in my seventies. My house is bigger than my yard, being on an inner city block of land that has been divided to build two houses. Yet I still have 16 trees in my garden, bordering fences to make a green haven. I fortunately still have sunshine, a patch of lawn to help cool down temperatures on hot days, and raised vegetable garden. I can manage the lawn cutting myself, and trim the trees at present. A birdbath provides water for the birds that shelter and nest in the trees and bring me much pleasure. I do miss flowers, but have managed borders and under tree plantings of white agapanthus and society garlic. I have potted lemon and lime trees in my courtyard. I also have two rectangular planters here with Arabian Jasmine which is trained on trellis in front of the fence, and plant annuals in these too for a splash of colour. The courtyard also has pots of clivea and frilly sword ferns.