Thank you for your comments suggestions and encouragement. I am posting a few photos this time and it will show what I have used and how I made certain things. Firstly, perhaps I should mention that what happened as I searched deeper into planting in a steep-walled pond (with no sloping, shallow end) was that I found myself reading more about hydroponics and aquaponics. Because of the methods used in these fields, I have been using the sheet polystyrene (rigid sheet foam, or what have you) as you will have noticed in my video. My latest island (oh my, doesn't that sound grand!) is a 4 ft x 8 ft x 2" thick sheet with a 3/4" PVC (schedule 40) frame. For transport reasons I had to by 4 sheets at 2' x 4' and join them to make an 4x8. Having done this I decided that a PVC frame would help keep it together and assist with anchoring/mooring it. Here are a couple of photos: I joined the sheets with Gorilla glue which works very well. I jointed all the PVC with the appropriate glue to keep it airtight because open PVC tubing will sink. I then added some 'lumps' of polystyrene glued together and hacked them about to look like rocks: I angled the edges of the island and painted the sides and top with some exterior household paint I had lying around. Then I painted the rocks with acrylic paint of various reds, blues and browns until they looked natural (!?) Here is a photo or two, what do you think? (The wire is a set of solar night lights) Given that the ground cover in the foreground should later cover the nasty brown of the surface, I think (hope) it should turn out alright. Oh; one other thing I did was to add a sheet of filter material to the underneath to encourage bacteria (I used swamp cooler pads, but in a roll). That is the reason I placed it next to the air stone column, as can be seen in the photo. I originally placed it directly over the air but found that it smothered the air column so effectively that it made the whole of the pond appear to be still, like a mill pond. Clearly I did not want this so I moored it to the side of the column. The air bubbles assist the bacteria and will therefore help clear the water. Most of what you see there, plantwise, is a ground cover but there is also mexican feather grasses and some herbs (sage, parsley, etc). BTW. The photos are in high-def so you should be able to zoom in if you wish. Other updates: The lobelia is getting towards its end but still looks OK. The goldfish continue to grow, and goodness knows how many mosquito fish are in there now. I might have to consider another fish to keep them under control as there is no sign of the goldfish doing this and I am told that they should eat the eggs or small fry. Any suggestions welcome. Overall, the water is starting to clear, possibly thanks to the addition of barley straw and pellets. Pontyrogof; Interesting idea of wattles made with stuffed stockings Victorian_bellefonte; Cork, eh? Never thought of that. It should look very natural but does it not become too waterlogged over time. How about a photo of some you are using. Nice-looking pond, too! Mary; Thanks for the nice comments. I'm hoping to put an update video soon. Donna; I have had no success with water hyacinth or water lettuce, never have; I think it might be the full sun the pond gets. Thanks for the interest and keep those ideas coming, please. Steve

If the current perimeter wall is in good condition, I actually think I would first consider seeing if the orange vertical stone could be stained gray and, if so, I would forego the expense of removing the perimeter wall and instead invest in creating an amazing modern landscaping design.

The plants need a more casual setting -- they don't go with that splendiferous mirror. They'd look great on a windowsill somewhere. The rust couch draws too much attention to itself; you need to pick up the colour on the other side of the room. You could find a rust-red container (nothing countrified) for the plant behind the couch on the right, for instance. When the plants are gone, you might use rust-red candles, perhaps in crystal candle sticks, on each side of the mirror. Nothing dramatic. The other big thing is that I think you are falling uncomfortably between two style stools. The couches and the mirror and the room itself say formal, traditional, glamorous. The plain picture frames, the blinds and the lack of drapes say casual and modern. I would suggest getting more ornate frames for the art and adding drapes, perhaps in a traditional cream fabric -- faux silk? I think you might get away with keeping the blinds if they are not the star act of the window show. I'm sure they are practical.

Having light mortar is not giving you a "lighter" space. Your natural light and flooring is doing that. Your lovely home has a lot of design stars- ceiling, fireplace, copper hood, etc. That is great but the problem with so many is that everything is competing to be THE star. Note in the photo I posted how the copper hood is the star as the stone isn't highlighted by light mortar so there is no competing going on at that eye level. And then the same competing happens as your eye goes from the stone to the ceiling. The stone being highlighted is competing with wood ceiling and those wonderful windows. Need to soften the stone appearance. Also, adding more color, at least in accessories, would help jazz your space up. It's rather flat looking with everything "brown" and probably why you are thinking that you need to lighten the space up when what it actually needs is to add more visual interest in pillows, rug, etc.