I agree that you should take down the trellis but be aware that you'll probably need to extend your decking rail along that side in order to enclose the deck for building code purposes. If that's more of an expense than you're willing to incur right now, consider at least taking it down to the same height as the rest of your deck and putting a top railing across it. You could then put in some foundation plantings that would climb up and cover the fact that it runs in a different direction than the front of your deck. If I'm looking at it correctly, your gate gives you access to your front door from your drive way. Am I right? In that case, I think your gate should stay where it is. I agree with flair lighting that a new light is in order over your entry. If you like the idea of a motion light, they make decorative outdoor fixtures with motion lights built in. Your fence would definitely look nice painted a lighter color. Right now, as flair said, it's a bit unwelcoming. If you're painting your metal roof, take your house and trim colors from there to coordinate. You could definitely paint your scalloped trim a different color than the house. Matching it to whatever trim color you choose would look great. Do you use the steps from your deck to access your yard? If not, I would consider removing them and closing in that portion of the deck as well. If you do use them, I would add a hand rail for safety purposes. Congratulations on your new house and good luck with your project!

Get the professional sander guys in to repair the living areas and kitchen but don't go too dark with the stain as it will kill the lovely grain in the matai. I'm thinking a couple of tones richer than the timber knots showing in your photo, definitely no yellow tone at all. In NZ stepping on to carpet especially in a kiwi winter is so much nicer than a cold floor board shock!!! A nice area rug for the lounge and you're done.

Hi. We moved into our home in Central Otago in 2013. It had been built around 2000 and clad with Oregon and Plaster. It was evident that this house was tired with the most pressing need the rescuing of the Oregon cladding. It was well overdue for a recoat. On much appreciated advice from a Resene Rep we bleached (Moss and Mould Killer) and scrubbed (Timber and Deck Wash) then coated with Resene Waterborne Woodsman in Nutmeg with CoolColour, This took up my summers of 2014, 2015 and part of 2016 the remainder of which was taken up overhauling the plaster. This summer I have tied in the entrance slat fence. Unfortunatelyn we were let down by Resene in early 2015 with an unannounced change of formula resulting in out of stocks and worst of all colour changes. Nutmeg which previously was a warm brown definitely moved into the orange spectrum. Resene WW is meant to be recoated every 18-24 months so strictly speaking I can't physically keep up with the staining let alone have a life as well. Stripping back is not an option, no no no. What compatible product would you recommend that definitely lasts longer than Resene WW? Where can I find LRV for Resene WW in case I need to stick with that but change the colour? Sadly I can't find information on comparing products across brands as reps only compare between their own products. Many thanks.

Hey all, I am getting a timber pergola installed in my backyard. It is a flat pergola with roofs. Here are the details of the project :- 1) Flat roof timber pergola. 2) Merbau hardwood decking- most likely in red color 3) Black/brown bamboo fencing 4) Natural grass lawns 5) Red brick exterior 6) Paperback/dark cream color roofing on the pergola matching the windows and the fascia. 7) Concreting done next to decking . Doubts :- 1) Now my first confusion is whether to paint the pergola in dark grey /charcoal completing the exterior or black/dark brown complementing the fence. I don't want to go all cream as the roof is cream too. Neither do I wanna paint it red as I feel it will be all too red (bricks and deck ). Please help me select the color. Should I paint it all one color or have pillars painted separately ? 2) Please help me pick a color for the concrete paint to blend in with the whole exterior. I am thinking either cream ( wall color ) , light orange or charcoal grey. Attached are the pics. Last one is off the internet on how the decking would look. Any inputs are appreciated. Thanks much