If time and budget permit I would add horizontal screens (timber stain or charcoal/woodland grey) from the right pillar to the garage (hiding the down pipe) and from the left corner of the house (hiding the bins) Do basic landscaping, two narrow beds either side under the windows, bark mulch and simple plants e.g. Lomandra longifolia (a native low grassy dark green clumping plant) is common but easy spaced every 30 cm Valuers like safe and neutral schemes, so keep with the Woodland grey roof/fascia & Classic cream garage door and repeat this on the upper feature slats for now. Then add a warm complimentary colour for the front door, this is Dulux Rodham Then get a lush new plant for that pot too. If you keep it simple (KISS Principle) for now it will come together for sure :)

Subway tile laid in brick pattern. They look like they might be the larger 100 X 200 size ? with a grey grout. Any tile store should be able to help confirm size to give you the same look.

Can I suggest that as most of your proposed project comes under the umbrella of landscaping that you consult an experienced landscape designer in the first instance. Someone who is experienced with pools and outdoor rooms. Also someone who has a network of other professionals that they work with such as pool builders, architect or architectural designer and engineers that may be necessary for the permits and build once the overall conceptual design is realized. All of your wish list will need to flow together and be cohesive to function well and a good designer will be able to work with your design brief and guide you through this first stage which is critical if you intent to carry the work out in stages. All the very best with your project. Lynn

" Hole in the wall "', you've got to love that. I think you may be after Scandinavian Minimalism. Be sure as simple as it looks, when done correctly, it is much more detailed and complex than traditional " cut and past skirtings and cornices ". To achieve a really clean square / box like look, there are usually small shadow line recesses around most elements, like doors and windows. This allows the elements to stand out even more and read as a cleaner detail. The reader then sees a clean, straight line between the wall and the element. Notice the very faint shadow line between the stair sidewall and the timber tread. That takes a lot of skill to produce. If you need any further advice, please feel free to call us at Gap Design. Cheers.