Homedepot.com has a great selection of outdoor fabric for a great price of $6.50/yard. You may have to wait til next spring if their stock is depleted right now, but I bought some and I'm very happy with it. It sews very nicely, I made a cusion cover for my glider with it.

I am not sure you need to add a deck or raised paving, when there is a usable surface there already. You will have gained a closer connection to the living area, but you will be more exposed, both to neighbours and to the wind, for a significant cost. Raising the fence may break height restrictions, as mentioned, and will also really box you in visually, especially with overhead louvres. Those may feel too low over a raised area if at eave height, and if higher could look awkward against the house. The fence already shades the area alongside it, so I wouldn't extend any further shading right out to the fenceline. I would consider a shade sail before louvres, both for cost and for a lighter, less boxed in appearance. Is there access to bring in a large tree? A good sized deciduous tree positioned near the fence at the edge of the lawn may be a good way to get some attractive summer shade, autumn colour, added privacy and may be cheaper than a set of movable louvres! Below the new doors from the living area, create wide steps These could wrap around to meet the existing steps. Wide steps can become a casual seating area as well as create a connection to the existing paving, and they are less of a barrier visually than a small set of steps. They could incorporate a planter, which will help to soften an otherwise quite hard outdoor space. This would also allow the lawn to remain connected with the paved area, making it feel larger.

Incorporating some color into the monolithic cladding and color scheme is a great idea! Highlight features that contrast the building's massiveness would be beneficial. Your suggestion of incorporating timber elements for warmth is a good starting point. To make the first-floor outdoor internal deck more versatile and comfortable, a shade sail or louvers would be a smart addition. Adding exterior lighting and soft landscaping would soften the harshness of the building's appearance and give it a more welcoming and inviting feel. Personally, I think painting the front fence in a dark color and adding some greenery and lighting would transform the look of the property. Overall, I believe this building has great potential to be a stunning and inviting space.

Transforming an Uninspiring Auckland Backyard into a Stylish Oasis Our clients enlisted us initially as their outdoor living space required some much-needed TLC. The worn and failing deck was structurally unsound, but most importantly the entire backyard lacked an outdoor living element for the family. The house space inside was limited and worth investing in the outside to extend living space. It was a renovation project they were keen to get into and make the most of their central Auckland location. The brief was to include a new deck with a focus on a large wood-burning concrete fire, a spa area easy to connect and get to from the house, a louvre roof and flow from the house to the garden with a daybed and staggered steps and platforms. They also needed a new front entrance that provided more of a "Wow" factor. They wanted top-quality finishes and materials that are long-lasting and will stand the test of time and NZ conditions. They also wanted a project-managed custom-built design, as they had busy jobs and trusted us to oversee every component needed to transform the space. Before: After: We first worked together in selecting the materials in mind of the brief, to create a stunning new outdoor entertaining area and front entrance. The grey composite decking with no screws and clip-in system is very streamlined and clean-looking. It does not fade in the harsh NZ UV light and is easy to clean and not slippery as some timber hardwoods are in winter. At the front entrance, we did a stacked blockwall that was honed and sealed and created a garden bed with style. The finishing touches of the planting colour scheme working with the cushion colours. Our clients had great taste in the finishing touches of the furniture, cushions and down to the beautiful table setting. The hardwood slatted screens feature throughout the design behind the fire, around the spa, at the front entrance and side gate. These add warmth and interest to the layout. Before: After: The garden lighting added in the garden beds, and steps as well as LED strip lighting in the louvre makes nighttime beautiful and draws you outside. The lights add depth to the garden and a welcoming entrance. The seamless flow from indoors out ticked all the boxes and the clients are very happy with the result. Before: After: Check out the entire project here -> https://www.houzz.co.nz/hznb/projects/maximise-outdoors-in-central-auckland-pj-vj~7397204