Just when I thought all the hard decisions were behind me...

I need to decide on a fence/gate to go between our boundary fence and our garage. Its a decent area to span - maybe 4 metres across, so its a big decision aesthetically.

My choices are - a paling fence/gate, hopefully lap and cap style, painted, probably to match the gutters and raintank (Dune) OR a Colorbond fence.

If I went with Colorbond I would try to match in with the gutters etc OR perhaps go dark to tie in with the driveway.. The dark would blend with the landscape/plants etc better but the lighter colour would be a nice contrast to all the brick I think.

Our garage door is dark Timberlook, and our front door is stained Merbau.

Currently around the perimeter of our block we have 8 foot lap and cap paling fences..

Any bloggy pearls of wisdom out there??? Anyone??

There are benefits to Colorbond over timber in the maintenance stakes (with Colorbond there is little to none - maybe a hose down periodically!) - but really, when it comes down to it I just want what will LOOK the best :)

I'll be sure to keep you updated on this all important decision ;)

Driveway excitement..

As promised here is a follow up post to the last one on the landscaping progress - better late than never right?

Almost three weeks ago our driveway and front path were poured - and not a moment too soon in regard to the weather!! The driveway was poured Thursday, and the layback and new gutter on Friday - and from Friday night onwards Sydney had torrential rain for a solid week!

We decided to go with a coloured concrete driveway, in Charcoal, after weighing up a few options. At one point we were going to stamp a slate type pattern on it but a combination of not being able to get the stamps when we needed them and deciding it would be too slippery on a sloped driveway like ours saw us sticking with the original plan.

The day arrived and our son was super excited that the "cement mixers" would be there that day so we set up camp on the front porch - his cars and trucks in tow and watched for hours!

All formed up - pump truck preparing for the cement truck to arrive

The view from our porch - delightful huh?

Our son has developed a keen interest in photography of late :)

Pouring!

Its all happening :)

Finshing off the smoothing process - before the colour is added. Aerial shot from upstairs balcony.

Thats a whole lotta concrete!

Almost done - now with colour added. The colour is added by literally throwing a powder over the wet concrete and smoothing it in. Hence the boys ending up filthy!

After much deliberation over colour I'm glad I went with a dark one. I wanted it to blend rather than stand out and once the plants and grass etc are sorted out I think it will all compliment nicely.

Very happy with the finished product!

The next day saw the final touches with the new gutter and layback being poured. The landscapers ripped out the old ones and we repositioned it all to suit the new house and driveway better. Its wider now too which is great, as our street is narrow and curved so its always been difficult to get in and out of the driveway.

Exciting stuff huh?

So there we are - one big step closer to the finished picture!

And remember - Better View Landscapes - call Shane on 0412 157 117 if you need a quote :)

Will update again soon and the inside happenings, what's gone wrong, what's been fixed and what we are STILL waiting for 8 weeks later!