How about whitewashing the bricks in this entrance alcove? If this idea appeals build on this aesthetic. When the shade cloth goes and you have repainted the pergola, how about a beautiful coloured flowering vine (pink, mauve, white)? The potted cordyline only serves to restrict your available light so pop it elsewhere in the garden. For a pop of colour how about picking up that lovely fuschia colour or a colour in that hue from the bromeliads that are in the forefront of your entrance photo. The two horizotnal lintels above the door and window would be candidates for this pop of colour. It doesn't have to be fuschia but I think it has to complement whitewashed bricks. Your outdoor ight fittings age your home and there are plenty of good designed ones out there that don't cost the earth. The door and window I'll have to think about but if I was you I would google the whitewashed bricks idea and build on from there. Your security door make your whole entrance look very unwelcoming and uninviting but I realise it is there for a reason. If you have a bit of money to play with I would look at getting rid of your present door, the half window and the small vertical one beside the door. Open it right up with a wall of glass, but this is a costlier option. Your paved foyer would fit in with white washed bricks also. Regarding your deck. Too much of the brown going on. It doesn't have to match your house. Tie the house to the outdoor environment and paint your railings in a shade of green and choose a pop colour for the top handrail. Repeat his colour in the lintel above the sliding door. I would leave the deck floor the brown colour. It is what it is and it's very serviceable.

How funny. I just renovated (on a budget) my small kitchen and added exactly the slate look in tiles you have, though they are in fact porcelain. And I placed them throughout the house for continuity. The tiler asked if I was after a retro hippy look but it doesn't look like that at all. My cupboards were the same colour as yours and I utilised the bones of the kitchen and had the doors and Benchtops changed only. I also have plenty of light in the kitchen but chose white doors and as I was on a budget I chose granite look Benchtops, they are very serviceable and it looks great. The blue backsplash was the colour lift and here you could choose any colour to your liking. Basically the kitchen ended up with white cupboards and appliances other than cooktop, with the stainless cooktop and coloured splash back being the focal point. The paint colour are: whisper white walls, integra splashback, white ceiling and for increased contrast I used the same white above the splashback on the rear wall. I would consider painting out the brick but leaving the texture.

Hi, I believe the ideas you have initially are often not those you would do further down the track. Everything looks pretty good so allow time for you to consider your ideas- this also extends the enjoyment of a new place and gives you a good reason to shop! -Your kitchen - new handles and an updated tap- would make huge difference. If you are going to do up the kitchen I would wait .Try some bright accessories - kettle etc of a favourite accent colour that I would carry through in some artwork, cushions, rugs etc in the rest of the living areas. It is a bit hard to advise without seeing your furniture as to colour and shape and your preferred style. Have a good browse on HOUZZ for some ideas. While you have the floor tiles you will be a bit restricted on what tone to use to freshen up the walls but i think you need to get some swatches to match your tiles. If the paint work is good you could just leave it and go with a feature wall of a richer colour if there is a suitable wall. This way you would have a wider range of colours to tone with new flooring when you can afford it and wouldn't waste time painting then re doing it again soon after. I would go with either timber or laminate or timber look vinyl planking. With such a big space It is important to create zones by careful placement of your furniture. Large areas of tiles can be clinical so think of applying some texture with rugs, cushions, throws and art on the walls and once you have figured out your preferred style there may be some spaces to apply wall paper. Enjoy your new space.

Thank you so much, Julie. I thought you would be interested in the end result, given how much encouragement and advice you so generously gave me. :-) I do love it. It has made such a difference and I think (fingers crossed) the landscaping will give it the finishing touch. We are reroofing the pergola, so will post photos when that is completed. The gazebo looks great after its facelift, too.