Wow, that was awesome Mark, thanks for that and everyone else. I thought about the desk facing the other way actually, to avoid feeling enclosed I do have really great views there so I thought about a small couch and maybe a bookshelf on the back, but having the dining table in front is probably not the best either.... complicated :( Here are a couple more pics, today was a beautiful day so I managed to get more of the views

We have a large area under the spiral staircase which is under utilised. I have solved one area with a floating shelf but the main area directly under the staircase could do with something quirky and modern to stop our atrium from looking overly large and sparse. Any ideas out there?

These spaces can look awkward but yours is quite inviting with those windows. It could become a retreat space, that allows someone to be near the action without being in it. Seating or lounging would work with the very low head height. I could imagine it would be a great spot for a couple of cool beanbag seats, a small funky bookshelf and a sleek retro lamp, or if you have children to cater for a games setup with storage in a retro ottoman.

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 .