Thank you..I like the photos. It is likely to be largely a do-it-yourself job...I'm thinking about replacing the concrete with paving slabs, I wonder whether stones or shells between them would provide adequate drainage, or whether to incorporate more substantial drainage.The land slopes down from the gate and the path slopes...I wonder about replacing the path with shallow steps that curve., and leveling out the whole area. I like your idea of going up, and am considering espailering something on the wall.

Ozbern: we had a similar dilemma, lovely backyard and then they started tearing down bungalows and building four story townhouses all around us. I built a single depth pergola along the back property line, the beauty of this is not only the privacy, but it brings the scale of the yard down to make it feel more intimate when we are outside. We also added a 10' x 10' (little over three meters) pergola right up against the house where we had a wall of windows. Will try to find that photo too. We have coral vine now growing in it. Dies in winter, comes back in spring. You can always do more contemporary details if this is too casual.

Excuse my duh-ness but i'm having difficulty trying to follow whats going on here. Are these two photos an exact replica of your house and pool ? If not a hasty sketch with dimensions could help a lot. By kitchen wall do you mean the wall behind the bar ? And where is the pool wall ? Are you considering the covered area as being "inside" ? Sorry for all those questions lol Sometimes when you have a design problem you need to turn it inside out or on it's head. If you can't beat it maybe embrace it by making a feature of it : i.e. contrast by having the lightest colored pool surround and a great blue or tile inside and under the overhang, something that will echo the water color ? If you have a great covered area as in photo you'll most likely be spending a lot of time there and it could be soothing to be able to sometimes retire into a darker inside. In my book, 10M isn't small and also contrasting two floor colors doesn't necessarily make a space seem smaller and confined and may in fact even open it up. Could it be that you've thought yourself into a box here ? Sometimes one needs to give it all a good shake up and see how it resettles.

Hi All, I am new to this forum & this is my first home in a month. I am planning to renovate the kitchen after moved in. Please let me know your ideas & expertise how much it cost & what kind of design suits this. (i am on a strict budget), possible DYI(except plumbing & electrical) & if any modification in structure(like if we removing the patio & removing that small piece of wall dividing kitchen) do we need council approvals? please share your thoughts. Main concerns are > Fridge location is not connected to the kitchen > Fridge & laundry in the same room & in the backside entrance. > There is a wall between the kitchen & fridge. > there is a Gap in the Kitchen > cupboard is not fitting when look. Expectation: The fridge & dishwasher should be in the kitchen. Re-alter or install new cabinets required.(L or U share) Is the island is possible? if so will the budget go high. Material for top either stone without resin. Tiles on the wall