Hi All, Here's an update. The hedges have settled in nicely over the last 4 years (has it really been that long already?!) They had a trim at the weekend, not the best time of year to cut Phontinia I know, but they had gotten a little out of control.. I intend to add a gate over the next few months and continue to plant the beds along the house. They currently have hydrangea and French lavender plants (oh and the odd azalea) in them but need more. Also going to plant a border of box around each of the beds the trees on the lawn are in - hence why these look a little scruffy at the mo.. I've considered growing something on the walls, but still not sure what or how. Each summer I add two hanging baskets either side of the front door - which help break it up a little. Still very much a work in progress (aren't they always ;-) ) but I like it. Thanks for all the comments, ideas and suggestions - much appreciated!

If you plan to do as much of this DIY as possible then you may be best to strip out as much as you can yourselves - wallpaper, back yard ground build up etc then see how things look. Once you've done this you may find it's better or worse than you think but you will have a better idea of the condition of walls etc. and what needs doing. If you can live elsewhere during this work because it's pretty horrible living on a building site. Things to be aware of - if you remove a significant amount of plaster from walls then you should legally improve the thermal performance of the wall by insulating it. Check this with your local building control officer. Damp is not necessarily a result of lack of or damaged damp proof course and could be condensation or some other cause. Get an independent surveyor to check this for you rather than a damp proof company - which may offer to survey and check for free but it will be to their advantage to find a problem, which surprise surprise they can fix at a cost (which will include the cost of surveying). For rewiring get at least three good local electricians to have a look at what you have and quote for a full rewire. You could to start with get your system tested and may find that it doesn't need a full rewire, although it might be the best time to do it now while you're carrying out such a large scale refurbishment. Finally get a structural engineer or surveyor to look at the chimney breast and advise you on removal. It's possibly something you could DIY. If it involves structural work then this is also something you should talk to building control about. If it's on a wall adjoining your neighbours then you should also look at party walls and give them notice - you may both want to jointly employ a party wall surveyor to make sure both your interests are protected and so that you start of your relationship with your new neighbours in a positive way. The last thing you want is to damage your new neighbours wall and start off in dispute with them! If you're planning an extension then look at architects local to you on the pro pages of houzz - they can advise on all of these legal and technical aspects and make sure that any extension works well for you.

Hi there 81bec. I'm not sure if you've gotten started on the chances to your patch of garden, but if you haven't here are some tips, from someone who also loves low maintenance gardens that are drought proof but look gorgeous all year round..start buy getting rid of the camellia, what ever evergreen is hiding behind it and the red robin..leaving the one plant you actually seem to like, the Cordyline (good choice). Rake away all the gravel and lay down some good compost (after planting, layer over with mulch as it'll stop weeds and retain moisture, resulting in a lower maintenance garden). Next, put a piece of trellis against the side of the porch that currently has the camellia and evergreen and plant a Trachelospermum Jasminoides (Star Jasmine)-it's evergreen, a climber, low maintenance and has dark green leaves in summer with clusters of strongly fragrant white star-shaped flowers and rusty red leaves in winter, lovely. Next, plant a mix of Pennisetum Firework grass and Ox-eye daisies (sometimes called Marguerite) at the back near the wall. In the middle "row" plant a mix of Stipa Tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) and Echinacea (purple coneflower) and in the front, maybe either side of a wooden love seat, plant Chasmanthium Latifolium (Spangle grass). All are showstoppers year round, low maintenance, drought proof and do well in sun or semi-shade. The grasses all need the same kind of care once a year, as do the flowers, meaning you only have to do maintenance twice in a year as well as a little watering when it's really dry in exchange for year round interest and beauty that will perfectly compliment the Cordyline. Hope this was helpful. If you have any question on maintenance of any of those plants I'll be happy to help.

Sometimes small projects bring as much satisfaction as big ones. I decided that the kitchen fireplace needed some dressing. Decided to do it myself. Used the rusted old fireplace bought years ago on ebay, and kept it rusty. Tiled with crackle glazed tiles, washed with black grout to accent the crackles and give the impression of age, grouted in olive green. Then took some lengths of steel and rusted them with peroxide, vinegar and salt. Chopped them up with a mitre saw. Result is a nicely aged looking, rustic fire surround in tiles and steel. Finished by rubbing back lightly and several coats of furniture wax, which give the rust a lovely, glossy patina as if rubbed smooth by hand over the years.