Thanks for the feedback tsudhonimh. Regarding the two tan walls. They are actually sandstone block walls that I built myself and when they and the rock is clean they are actually very similar in colour. See attached picture to give you a bit of an idea of a quick clean of the sandstone. Having said that the top wall is not structural and could be removed if it didn't fit the bigger picture I come up with, however the reason it was built was to keep the dirt from falling down the rock every time it rained and also to make it look somewhat more tidy. It is also somewhat of a railing as there is a dirt walkway and then some steps to get to the top rock. I have toyed with the idea of getting rid of all the dirt, surprisingly there is a fair bit of it and due to the weather in Sydney, most plants as well as weeds grow really quickly. I currently find myself about once a month removing weeds, which grow to about two feet a month in height specially in the spring/summer times. I do agree there are a number of somewhat flat areas, and I have been toying with the idea of multi-level terracing with a nice entertainment area. From the top rock I have a view of the city and the nice Australian weather means that we do spend a lot of time outdoors. I was hoping not to just do a boring timber balcony and the recommendation of John Lautner by makeArchitecture in the comment above has helped come up with some interesting alternatives. We have been looking at native plant options, we have quiet a few options for the area we are in and a lot of them such as the aloe vera and the other spicky plants you can currently see grow with no maintenance required except for some occasional trimming. Thanks for the suggestion to describe the garden as "rock garden" or "alpine garden" as that yielded some interesting results when goggling. I have also attached a photo of the house from the backyard to give you an idea of what the existing building looks like. We are currently planning on painting it white, as we have gotten some good ideas for similar barn style house on the Houzz site. This has definitely been beneficial feedback as sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming as it it not the standard backyard. I really wanted to have some ideas of direction before getting a professional to come in and design what the end product should look like as a whole. After I have that I can determine what I do myself and what I get a professional to do.

Also, there is another meaning for SIP. Did you ever hear of the first little pig who built his house all out of straws? That building practice came to be known as sip. It is cheap, and saving the money keeps the wolf from the door.

Agree with olldroo above, too much bold colour for such a large expanse. Try looking at a deep green or deep blue, these colours will compliment the rich timber slats, but also give a great backdrop for your plantings in front to really be the stand out element. Make sure you plant a great deal of lush, rich green plants with a lot of foliage to create a lush outdoor space.

Hello Please make sure you design a floor plan that suits the orientation of your site, works in connection and flow, and creates spaciousness with decent storage, light and volume, and great indoor/outdoor connection. To be perfectly honest, it won't matter very much what you clad it in or what the roof is doing if you don't achieve this. I am so saddened to read on this thread that homeowners are having to do certain work to 'take back the reigns' from their designers. Architects and other professionals can forget that it's your home, your budget, your life. A professional should expand your ideas and add value to your plans and dreams for your home with their expertise. Unfortunately this doesn't always occur. Perhaps find a designer who can work collaboratively with you in this way. Even if you're building a small budget home, chances are you're still spending a big investment for you. It doesn't cost anymore to build a wall in the right place or the wrong place, and in my experience, the money you spend on the right professional saves you money in the long run. Invest in some advice upfront so you make a difference in the outcome you achieve. That's what helps you create a home that works and makes your life better, Regards Amelia Lee www.undercoverarchitect.com.au