My favorite spot to hide myself and get some moment of peace is my balcony. I get cut off from the members around and lock me in balcony seat on my arm chair and relieve myself from the extra burden, or tensed situation. Come alive in an hr or 2 and get mixed with the people around.

I love that firepit Planted Passion. legendaryflame Im in lower Blue Mountains so not proper heights for rhododendrons. I guess my vision is to have some more shade in summer, spots of colour for bees and birds, a haven to come home to. We would love all of the things you have mentioned. This is our home for the next 20 years, so we have time to work at our own pace, im not sure what the priority should be. id love 1 or 2 maples sitting either side of some lovely stairs going down the middle of where the pigface is. im not sure if maples are tough enough.

Jason.....3 factors: 1. your requirements/goals/"brief" 2. Budget 3. Site/context........these 3 things will define the project outcome/direction one way or the other...and that outcome/direction will depend upon how these factors are negotiated, balanced and managed..........I could go on for days about all this stuff, but as start, perhaps think about developing a home from the inside out, rather than the outside in, because if you do that it generally will reflect/respond to and be better suited to and derived from you, your needs and the lifestyle you seek. You already have some reference points (land, certain styles that appeal etc)...perhaps best you reach out/speak with some design professionals about your potential home and begin to hone in on your priorities and what aligns with your goals......... Be aware that you will be predominantly EXPERIENCING your home, rather than sitting outside with a cup of tea admiring it like they do in the Colorbond TV ads......so what it looks like, really should come from what it is internally....form follows function.....also arguably some of the beautiful European architecture is not necessarily that well suited to the Australian climate & environment......a house that deeply connects to the site/context, functions & performs to a certain level and "feels" great and appropriately balanced will provide an immeasurably greater living experience on many levels, as opposed to one that may look pretty in a brochure or on instagram, but in reality is disconnected to context, arbitrarily sited and configured or misaligned in various ways the homeowner's various particular & practical needs........ Fantastic & exciting opportunity..... Hope this provides some preliminary food for thought....feel free to reach out if you'd like some further direction/guidance Good luck! Cheers PD :) www.pauldistefanodesign.com

Will the deck be used as a entertaining area or just a entrance? If it’s used as a entrance you maybe don’t need to make it big deck landscaping might soften the front. We have used Modwood with great success on our decks in Southern Tasmania like the suggestion of a coloured door...what’s your favourite colour we have a beautiful yellow door on our holiday house milky glass door on our home.