Thank you so much everyone for your great ideas, advice and uploads. I've decided on glass for pool fencing, Dune for render colour, but still undecided about front balustrade and handrails. While I love the idea of stainless steel, I'm still not confident that a modern look will suit the front facade. I keep coming back to the classic look in Lesley's pic but wonder whether white powder coating is the way to go or whether it would be too busy for my facade as I have stairs/handrails to consider. Still pondering over too many choices!

Gallifrey my mother in law and I loved the fabric from Spotlight. We had to cut off big, pink eiffel towers which were printed every few panels. Was still worth it. My mother in law liked it so much she did the same when she went back to NZ. So now we have matching cushoins and quite a few pink eiffel tower offcuts in our sewing remnants lol.

Aesthetically, I think railing or similar is much more appealing than extending upward the ramp brickwork; however, changing colour will definitely improve visual of the existing walls. The pics siriuskey provided are very attractive. I like the idea of repeating the same style handrail as you have inside, as it lends consistency. Solid brickwork seemstoo heavy and chunky to me; a handrail will add elegance. Note: Do you need to worry about children attempting to climb the ramp walls (do code regs address this)?

I love the drama of the brick wall and it is a major design feature of the house... however, there is a LOT of exposed brick with the fireplace surround also being exposed and you have mentioned you dont like the colour. Have you thought about covering up the other walls rather than this one, to tone down the brick work? I just wonder if you hate the amount of brick and you are taking it out on this wall because that's where it is concentrated while overlooking the rest of the house? Just food for thought... more food for thought. BTW I love the idea of hanging plants (though watering them might be a pain), I love the idea of a dramatic feature pendant and I also love the idea of the rug, all will soften or harmonise the drama. www.billyhoostudio.com