I'm not a huge fan of the teal tiles. I would pick up a beautiful neutral travertine and some natural stone that highlights the white and pulls in the yellow timber tones to form the pool edge. Timber walls are stunning, but it requires a lot of maintenance and the commitment to keep it looking pristine. It is easier to colour block with a deep accent colour like grey or rich brown and use architectural features like pillars, shadowboxes or the frames as previously mentioned. It is also well worth getting a lighting designer to come in and help you think about how to create more drama and functional lighting for your pool.

Wise words anonymousanne. Thanks all for your helpful advice so far . We have a 3-5 year plan I guess our priority will be creating 3 cosy bedrooms, with fresh paint, carpet and blinds ......not sure if they will be the existing bedrooms..or whether we will take the lounge as the master. A dilemma how much to do in the bathrooms.... Flat pack kitchen, appliances paint etc...It would be cheapest in the kitchen to replace the Existing L only...but I do like oklouise and siruiskys suggestions for the kitchen dining areas in the plans that have been drawn. I will get a builder friend to take a look structurally for now..still hoping to open the back up a bit more, for better internal flow of the house, so we can enjoy living there while we save to do major works

Put down weed mat, add a stone mulch, gorgeous planters, make raised garden beds, and add a succulent garden on your wall, all very achievable diy

I do love native violets but they show their best with some shade. For full sun a very rough forums cover with small white flowers is myoporum. The Gardening with Angus site has a great plant selector for other options. Good on you for looking at standard Lilly pilly - they give you greenery all year around unlike roses, weeping cherries etc.