Thanks for all the great ideas everyone and sorry I didn't explain the polycarbonate a bit better :) This is along the lines of what we'll be using... http://www.psp.co.nz/building-brands/corrugated-sheeting/suntuf-polycarbonate The area is an absolute sun trap and we're hoping to use it as an extension to our living space, especially on rainy days! I've just sent my husband out to get a few pots of different stains for is to try - darkest brown (cedar) and a lighter brown (rustic oak) both by Cabots + the black we already have. Hopefully we can decide between one of those! I probably should have mentioned we will have black aluminium pool fencing running along the top of the second retaining wall - so the real question is do we keep everything black (pool fencing, horizontal fence, retaining walls and pergola) or do we go with a dark (or even light) brown for the pergola and retaining walls.... We just keep going around in circles at the moment. Decisions, decisions! Thanks again :)

I would embrace the element, but I would get rid of the wood chips. I'm thinking back fist sized river rocks. Then I would get a tallish flowering tropical such as hibiscus and add a few ivy plants to grow between the rocks. Additionally, a small water feature might be nice. For me, the bigger problem with the entryway is the door. You have an obviously contemporary home, yet you have a -very- traditional door. I would want a wood door with some sort of art glass element in it. The wood would of course need to be stained to match the existing woodwork. The door will be some big bucks, but it would remain regardless of flooring changes. These two doors are not specific recommendations, but examples of the type of entry door I have in mind. Best wishes!

Hi Margaret, Kitchens have a lot of options so it's good to speak to your kitchen specialist about how you use your kitchen as drawer sizes tend to be influenced by type of item you are storing and which zone. DYNAMIC SPACE are Blum's ideas for practical kitchens, you can check out the zone planner, cabinet solutions and tips in our kitchen ideas section of our website. Think about the items you desire to store in your new kitchen in the following 5 zones and this will help you create a brief for your designer: Consumables, non-consumables, cleaning, preparation and cooking. Examples: 450 mm wide is a common width for a bench height rubbish bin solution with SERVO-DRIVE uno 600 mm is great width for a SPACE TOWER pantry 900 mm is a dream cutlery, utensil, plate or pot drawer Click for our NZ Kitchen Designer and Manufacturer Directory. All the best for your new kitchen. Regards, Sophie Blum NZ

I have a similar sized ensuite in my own house and would definitely not put two doors in it. You will probably find that a fixed glass panel to half the width and a glass door the other half would work fine. Alternatively you can get a sliding glass door (again 50/50) if you like the look of them as they do save on space.