Hello donned2004, Well you could remove all the things from the hearth.. So it has more space.. Hang the mirror and paint the chimney breast a nice colour to bring the fireplace into full focus.. If you wanted to have an even bigger recess.. you could open the fire out up to the sides of the wooden surround.. So taking out the 30's tiles.. Make sure the lintel is in place or doesn't need replacing and keep the surround it's rather nice.. Remove the current tiled hearth if you chose to open it out more.. and install a flat piece of slate.. So then you would have an open brick recess and a lovely iron basket could sit nicely inside for logs! Another idea to continue into the room.. might be to look at painting the woodwork a colour to compliment any wall colours you have.... Some lovely painted floorboards, or parquet or a natural Jute or Coir flooring if you have not already decided upon something.. : ))

The aspect is very important for a thin section of a garden. Like Pat Oliver I too would ask whether or not you use the gravel section for parking a car and agree that you also need to think about how it joins the rest of the garden. I understand that you get the sun in this area late afternoon/early evening and is a "sun trap". If you want to add some shelter you could add a pergola along a section of the site and grow some evergreen climbers, scented roses, jasmine and clematis. You could then add some seating or a dining set under the pergola for a late night meal with friends. If you plan to keep the paving slabs then think about furniture and pots that are of a similar tone to tie the area together and then use some white ones as accents to tie the area again to the house. If you remove the slabs then a gravel garden is a great idea, but you could also use composite decking boards and raise the area so that you come out of the door at the same level, and then have some steps down to the rest of the garden. Also think about setting the garden at an angle across the site, as this helps from a design point of view and results in you getting more items in to the area. Draw the area on to a piece of paper and have fun with shapes. If it is such a sun trap think about sun loving plants that are suited to arid conditions, that is why a gravel garden is such a good idea. I hope this helps. If you have any questions please get in touch. All the best and enjoy your garden. Mark

Big thanks tamp75. I really like your idea of RAL 9007 for garage door (standard product) and Sadolin "volcanic ash" for the window frames. Hadn't thought of that! And I think you might be right about the weathering of the "traditional" shade of Marshalls driveway products. Have been noticing this as a pass local front gardens. Anyone have any ideas for a warm/soft white shade for the exterior wall? A mum at school suggested RAL 9010 - she said that was the advice her sister (an architect) had given her on her house (she was doing the interiors). Any views?

I think you pretty much covered it in your question. Granite has a grip, it is extremely hardwearing. it will stain however if you don't seal it. the stains tend to wash/bleach out over time though. my opinion is that it being a natural product the slight variations that will occur between each stone are exactly what makes it nice. Ceramic tiles may be the better option to provide the uniformity you require. there are more and more of these being brought to the market and they are extremely popular. the finishes vary and non slip ones are out there. the great asset is that they can be cleaned very easily. Couple that with the ease of grouting/pointing (you will be able to use a wet grouting mix and clean off as you go) it makes for a very practical solution. they will need to be laid on a concrete screed for best results which is an added cost.