Tanks all so much for these amazing ideas!! I think once I have implemented these the overall look will work - I just need to picture the final result as I do each bit separately. @south Wales - I had considered grass but the front of the house is covered by a huge oak tree canopy in the summer, the tree would probably dry everything out. It blocks most of the direct sunlight out completely. Do you think grass is still achievable? @suesykes - yours looks amazing, is that a rhododendron I can spot? @michaeldbutler - I used an iPad app called color effects @sorayasohal - thanks for your great ideas, I am very keen to use a couple of potted plants in front of the pillars. I just need to make sure they don't get stolen! @arthur road - many thanks for this excellent list, I hadn't really considered using a variety of different plants as the bed is small, but it's a great idea! @ensign - I wanted to use a taller tree each side of the pillars but the drive is on a slope and it might look a bit lopsided. I wonder if there is a way I could correct this by digging out and leveling under each pot or would this look weird? @amanda hunter - it's a great tip looking at local house styles! Mine is quite modern (1996) and is situation in a lovely village with quite a lot of older style houses with authentic wood doors etc. sadly this is a composite door and I added this as the wood door which was on the house was in a terrible state, so my options are limited to having it sprayed a suitable color. So far I think I will: 1) add flagstone path 2) lower globe buxus type pots in front of each pillar 3) paint door (still wanted red) 4) use some of the plants recommended here and go to my local garden centre. The porch also has built in flower beds flanking the steps so once flowers are in there it will look good. The darkness of the north facing house sheltered by a large oak tree is an issue for me, the house looks great but looks dark and gloomy, hence I don't want to have a door that looks too dark and dull, unless it was black. The company who will be spraying the door can do all farrow and ball colors, so I am going to check out some more heritage colors as per Laura and other suggestions. I'm going to get some blue and red samples this week!!

Maybe a couple of photos of the area will generate some suggestions. :)

Hi Suzy, It is a very good idea to have a final plan for the garden and do it bit by bit as budget allows. Sometimes people try to do it all at once and it can lead to compromises in the quality of materials to make the budget go further. I think that raised beds will be a very good addition to your garden. I always say that amending a heavy clay soil should be the last option as it is time and money consuming and you need to repeat the procedure overtime. I think that either putting the planting in raised beds (which, if well thought of can be great additions to the garden, creating vertical interest, maybe acting as sections division and seating) or selecting the planting so that only plants that can tolerate this condition (roses are a good example) are used are much better options. Trellises in your case could not only work as sections divisions, but could also screen out the two sheds that you wish to have in your final garden, so probably a good idea. Layout-wise, in my opinion your curved borders do give your garden a nice shape, and creating paths that follow it somewhat would be a good idea. If you need any further help, I offer a completely online range of garden design services from sketches to garden plans with planting plan and 3D visuals. Do not hesitate to contact me in case you are interested to learn more about it. I wish you all the best with your garden, Deborah The Rooted Concept Garden Designs

150mm well compacted subbase of MOT type 1 aggregate as a minimum then lay the slabs on a full bed of mortar consisting 4 parts sharp sand and 1 part ordinary portland cement, not to sloppy, but wet, so it will bond. Use a large rubber mallet or the wooden handle of a lump hammer, (this will wreck the handle) and tap level using a spirit level. Leave enough of a gap between the slabs for your choice of pebbles. I would leave a gap of 40-50mm minimum if you want to use pebbles, but if you want to point between the slabs a gap of 10mm. If you are wanting to lay porcelain, I would get a professional to do this for you as it is not as straight forward as normal slabs. Hope this helps.