Hi I would put a planted green screen of a nice flowering hedge which also has berries in the winter like Berberis. It will give you privacy and its not totally solid as a fence or wall would be and will give a much softer look. It also gives security as it has small prickly barbs You say your window sills are too narrow to take window boxes so why not put a nice long wrought iron planter under the full width of the window, attach to the wall, (It looks like the windows are quite low) or if not put a free standing planter under the window. I would not get rid of the front lawn and just have concrete slabs as you already have all the drive paved, it will just look like to much concrete and harsh unless you add some plants or create maybe a circular flower bed Too much concrete prevents good drainage too Adding a porch would be a great idea, perhaps just glass which will give a modern contemporary feel Also once you have changed that paint colour it will look a lot better

Bearing in mind that you have young children, the focus of the garden in my opinion should be on them. A small patio/dining/relaxing area for adults near the house, and perhaps also at the end of the garden would be lovely. I would also have most of the garden redone in grass (real grass!) with room to play. And I would keep the fence... its the most practical having children near a river, even if they're not babies anymore. I would probably break up the unusual shape of the garden with a few pots, planters and borders 'sticking' out into the garden so the eye is drawn away from the sharp, narrow end. I agree with what was said above though about just living with the space for a bit and seeing how you use it.

Great apartment. I would agree with the previous comment about getting an interior designer on board, preferably one whom will pass on their trade discounts! I also agree with other comments re zoning, scale etc. I'd also decide what you want to do with the kitchen before looking at the rest of the room as it's a little awkward. I don't know if it would be possible to get a flue in the roof for a suspended log burner? Alternatively which I prefer (but would get a render done first!) is to have a double sided bioethanol fireplace finished in a polished plaster to add texture. I'm not sure what the 5 doors/panels are but could they be covered in a leather/shagreen leather again for texture and interest. You're lacking walls to add art so you could look at suspending double sided art from the ceiling (last pic just to give an idea!) or add sculptures on plinth/s or an art rug (if in budget Knots rugs do some fantastic ones). I'd also look at adding pendant lights. I'd also go for the same style blinds to what they have in place now. If you add lots of textures elsewhere then curtains aren't really needed and I'm not sure they'd enhance such a great feature. Perhaps look into solar window film to make the light more bearable and prevent fading? Does the balcony wrap around as potted plants would also add privacy?

Well, Gary, you have got some great ideas coming in. I turned 70 last year and my family in 1967 bought a brand new townhouse that was an exciting place to live. It had three split-level floors making about 7 levels (not quite designed by Escher!) My advice is look at the inspiration for British 60s houses - that came from 1950s America (and earlier). Draw out the essence. Think: Clean lines / Timber / Brick / Harmony / Balance / Simplicity (and I am sure you are!) You are so right to steer away from the grey format you describe. Attaching 1) a contemporary colour chart for door inspiration and 2) images solely for the cohesive simplicity of window shapes.) These are some thoughts that I have: 1) The porch: Could it be constructed out of SIPs - thereby giving more insulation? Possibly cheaper, easier and cleaner to build with than brickwork? The side panels could be clad with cedar that just wraps round onto the front wall each side - maybe 15cm? (To give depth.) Maybe a very slightly sloping crimped zinc roof on top? Look at the front width of the porch and pretty much divide it into two. Have perhaps a door with a square clear glass pane on the right (like your image above) AND make the adjacent window the same size square aperture as in the door. Maybe some cedar cladding under this window? 2) The other windows: If these could be based upon the same square format (as above) and tip / tilt. The kitchen window could comprise two tip/tilt opening almost square windows and these be echoed in the first floor bedroom above. The bathroom window naturally lends itself to a square pane. NO frosted or reeded glass anywhere! ...Even if it is 'authentic'! 'Roller blinds' were used a lot then and provided an interesting layer to the windows plus a nice slice of colour! Surely no-one would consider vertical strip blinds!!!!???? 3) The front door colour: (I really will have to 'get over' the fact that PVC double-glazed doors cannot be painted like a good old wooden door...!) So, my recollection is that mid-sixties colours in Britain were actually not quite so primary as we think but often a little bit 'slubby'. This makes them more interesting I think. ...Ignore the contradictory red doors below!! 🤣 Images of evocative clean styles - windows mainly.