Why not something with a red shade to pick up your cushion and vases? You're furniture is quite contempory so it should be easy to find something, otherwise go safe and get something with a metallic silver look, that way you're free to change up the cushions at a later date if you like.

When I first wrote in August 2017 we got a lot of great suggestions and comments. At the time we had accepted the limitations of the block (easements, tree, solar access etc). It is now one year later and I can tell you we found a way to move the garage to the south-west corner. This allowed us to move Beds 2 and 3 and the bathroom to the northern side. Pantry and laundry between garage and kitchen/living/dining. I think it was all of the comments and suggestions that encouraged us to look at it again from different angles, rather than just accepting the limitations. Thanks to everyone for their generosity! The solution involved working around a lovely tree (it is nice, just in the wrong spot). It is still in the way (council said we couldn't remove it) but we've opted for a long, curving driveway that starts on the other side of the block and weaves its way around the treeline to the garage entry. Not ideal, because a large portion of the front setback will now be a hard surface, instead of a garden. But if there is one thing that designing teaches you - its all about compromises. Thanks everyone. MB Design & Drafting Shara C Nik Star girlguides oklouise siriuskey genkii saragraham76 Andy Pat brizcs Mel N 3D Home Concepts suancol Caro

The house and alfresco looks really nice -- you have done really well buying that IMO ! I'd leave it as it is , at least in the 1-2 year time span . Is the shed with a roller door a garage ? The main reason I ask is just a thought in that it looks like you get to the alfresco through the laundry by the looks of it -- without knowing more , I wonder about moving the laundry at some stgae to the 'garage' , maybe a bigger door , maybe make the existing laundry into the dining area or a study or office ( I would have suggested even moving the kitchen there , but it looks really good where it is -- or maybe I should say too new to justify moving ) . Hope that makes sense .

Thank you, big reader! That finish might be just what we want, especially with an outdoor rug as suggested by Kate. And thank you too, Julie, for the compliment and the decorative suggestion. We have some rectangular planters made from the Linea boards, which I was considering painting white and putting under the section that has the matrix cladding, but those pots are gorgeous so might rethink that. Still have some finishing off to do first, but we’ll get there. Can’t say how much I appreciate everyone’s help, you’re all so kind