If the brick is a functioning chimney I would leave it other wise a rough render could work. One of the issues is that the nearby features such as the light and painting clash. As in the dining room, try a large mirror and a big photo e.g. to link it all. Also good rugs with strong reds, browns, oranges would help co-ordinate the rooms at low expense. I would try a colourful Moroccon style rug near the brick feature before attempting a major fix.

we've done both: with the render finsh and painting the Hebel was more labour intensive, not cheaper than brick and the joints broke down after only two years It does provide good insulation but the same or better results can be achieved more efficiently...our next project will be reverse brick veneer with insulated Colorbond cladding..we concentrate on the shell of the building (roof, external walls, windows, doors and floors as the internal fittings can be added or upgraded over time...living without a proper kitchen for seven months allowed us to pay for better quality windows but you must plan to suit your climate and conditions, good luck

sadly it appears she has. It sounds just perfect you both have great style, perhaps a slightly darker shade for the wall. Do the pot, I would also plant close up to the fence on Council land. We did a property on a corner which had a large council area. we did brush fencing and they told us we had to do plantings in front of it to soften the look. NATURAL BRUSH fencing, go figure. Can't wait to see your out door kitchen as well x

Laura- Thankyou :-) Maybe not to everyone’s taste but I’m quite proud of myself. I didn’t have funds for quite some time to do a feature I would like and didn’t want to paint the wall so am happy with what we have. It has brightened a ghastly retro dark room and since we can’t get rid of the arches in a hurry it has made it bearable at this point. Yes I made the limewash myself. I made it just with line and water and it has stood the test of time so far, being over a year. You can create a lighter look by doing one- two coats, basically the more you do the darker it becomes. Also the more you do it the less mottled it becomes and more solid white. i believe (though could be wrong that your one is possibly German smear more than limewashin). Whitewashing again is different. I could not buy the limewash product here in Australia though saw an awesome product in the states called Romabio (omgosh so nice). At any rate yes I made mine, I did see recipes which I think had salt to bond the product- but didn’t use that and was absolutely fine! I practised in my garage wall and was thrilled with the result. You used a brush to hatchcross the product on, that is the technique that stops the process becoming terrible. The more I have done, the better I have become (there was a lot of research involved in getting the technique right to avoid drops). I am not sure I would want to try it on the outside of the house unless really confi