Sorry I am so late coming to your site - you are an inspiration to all, homeowners and advisers alike. For your planting advice, I suggest you call Merrifield Garden Center to see if they will come out your way. They currently have wonderful garden centers in Merrifield and Fairfax (both in Fairfax County) and a new one in Gainesville, but they may come further south to wherever you reside. (www.MerrifieldGardenCenter.com) Even if they don't send designers to your area, they are worth a trip to see their huge selection for a day of pleasure and inspiration, or to pick up some plants. Most of my clients are in the Fairfax and greater Washington area, but I am currently living out west below Front Royal, VA on the Shenandoah mountainside - wonderful views. cascio.offsite@gmail.com

kitchen has wood look lino not sure what to do in lounge? as you can see from pxt it steps up to lounge, do I follow on with lino or would that be too cold here in nz?

Unfortunately it is also a requirement in the CCC District plan restricting ones fence height being over 1.8m. There are also stipulations about visibility of no more than 50% through the fencing so most home owners opt for the cheap solid timber fence. It is rather frustrating when we design these beautiful homes and the client has no regard for landscaping and the house is subsequently 'blocked from view.' Perhaps a little more client education would go along way for us to push some great landscaping designs and make more of a house on a section.

The colour of the exterior will be 1/2 grey friars, roof grey friars and doors shale grey. We have built a new garage which has created a walkway. Any suggestions for paving. Was thinking a blue stone? Will it go with those colours? Also some kind of porch from the front door with steps down to walkway. We have this long garden which I thought we could plant out, but I am clueless!! Any suggestions would be truly wonderful!! What would you do?