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 :)

We have removed 3 large cherry trees on our side of the fence to the right hand side of the driveway. At the moment the grass area inside the front fence is approx 6 metres. (measured from the fence to the driveway by the garage) The long term plan is to widen that part of the driveway by 2 metres. This will leave a remaining 4 metres for grass & 2 - 3 large trees. For the meantime we have put down a roll-out lawn and we plan to plant trees along the fence line within the 4 meters. Hoping to be able to purchase some well established trees for instant privacy. (The Rhodo will go once there's more privacy from the new trees - whether we plant something else along the angled side fence??? Ideas here also please) The trees need to be able to handle salt spray and a lot of wind (we live in South Taranaki). We don't want something that has flowers that cause allergies. Nothing that drops messy berries like the cherry trees that used to be here! Thinking something similar shape to the tree in the last picture. Suggestions welcome :)

We have just completed a new build and we are planning our gates at the from of the house. we would really like white gates like in the image. We have seen PVC gates advertised locally, and wonder what people think of them? durability, look etc. We have a dog who has marked gates before with his paws, so we are mindful of this.

I'm a bit confused -- you seem to want the front yard to do everything ! Privacy , entertaining , curb appeal , paving , gardens , front door -- you can't have all of that because of the conflicts between those . Do you have room out the back for a private entertaining area , for example ? But even more basic -- I like the house , the curb appeal -- but the brown stain doesn't gel with me . If you paint the 'edge' ( 200 x 50 or thereabouts by the look of it ) and steps in the same tone as your trim ( the slightly darker blue tone ) you'd get away with the rest of the terrace being that brown , or go for a browny silver re-stain . A yellow door would really stand out , a slightly lighter brighter blue would tie in , whilst a gloss black will mean it won't stand out as much , but look classy . Then I'd do a narrow garden around the edge of the grass , a letterbox at the start of the path ( well , slightly to the side haha ) , something nice but unique in the wall colour , with you street numbers in the blue . That will guide people as to where to 'enter' towards the front door . The entertaining area ( a bbq and seating ) I'd try to do out the back , but you could do it in that 'downstairs' area to the left of the garages , using darker toned or stained bamboo panels or even laser cut steel or alloy panels mixed in there , maybe even ply painted your blue trim colour mixed with 'natural' bamboo or matchstick type panels . Of course , if you really want private , you could do that area in solid 2.4 mtr tall concrete walls , rendered and painted to match the house , but due to the size and narrowness of the area , i'd personally go for something more casual , more breezy and open , but each to their own .