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 :)

You have several choices at different price points. 1- Sheet rock, plaster and paint This is the most expensive option and will add the most permanent value to your home. 2-Wallpaper over a heavy liner paper. 3-Prime then paint the wood, it will give you a stripe effect. Let me know what you decide to do. Linda

I'm a first time poster and have managed to post twice by mistake!

This just popped up , but I see it is quite old . Did you decide on paint colours ? The roof looks almost a brown tone in the photos , but you say it is dark grey . I assume you don't want to paint that ? If you do , go more charcoal IMO . If you don't , I'm assumimg it will look several shades darker with your wall colour choices . There is a roller door on the garage that appears to be a nice shade of orangey yellow . Personally , I would go with your colour choices , but do all the doors ( roller doors , wooden doors ) and gutterings in that ochre shade . Your terrace I would do in a charcoal , but with the top rail either in the orangey yellow , or a really crisp white . I know that sounds a bit 70's ( although they would have added a lot of ranch brown back then haha ! ) but against the light grey I suspect it would work together well , and look the part .