Wall/border makeover design ideas?

[LemonViolet]

Namechange for gardening stuff! I’m looking for ideas and inspiration for what to do with this wall/border. We moved in a few months ago and this is my first actual garden, although had an allotment for years, balcony pots etc. We had no idea this structure was even here when we bought the place, it was completely subsumed by ivy and jasmine overgrowth. This is the first area I think we can makeover properly. We’re having the old rotten trellis at the top replaced by 3ft Venetian-style fence panels (the horizontal slatted type) which will be cut around the archway and then continue along the rest of the garden wall as well. Other than that the mishmash of brickwork will stay, but we could paint the concrete blocks, to help them blend in or stand out depending on design choice! This is the west facing, the garden is north facing overall but this section is far enough from the house that it gets a decent amount of sun usually. It’ll be a focal point from a few different angles, from the back of the house as well as planning to put a morning patio right opposite it. There won’t be grass in front eventually, that will become more planting. We’re in London so a pretty warm microclimate for the U.K.; the garden style I envision is eclectic; bright & colourful abundant planting (jewel, rainbow colours, jungly foliage); exotic/cottage fusion - because I do like some traditional flowers as well; travel/art inspired bits and pieces. I have a Pinterest plant wish list that could fill a nursery; the challenge for me will be curating things to fit spaces.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? What would you do with this?

That is quite fabulous, a lovely surprise!
I would be tempted to go full-blown gothick romantic with Statement pots or statuary. You have to have a rambling rose, maybe white to contrast with the dark brick.
Nose around some National Trust gardens for inspiration.

I like senua's idea.
Alternatively, how about a Moroccan theme? Paint the blocks and maybe tile a board to fit inside the arch. Colourful pots on the ledge and lots of lush foliage in the beds?

Ooh Moroccan theme is an interesting take! I do have a few Moroccan/Moorish bits and pieces and the patio at the back of the house right next to this I was thinking of having that kind of feel (maybe with a little fountain!). I just went down a statuary internet rabbit hole as well inspired by that suggestion but I’m worried there’s not really enough space for a statue base in the alcove and anything I put there would fall off and smash on the path - I have cats that climb too. I’d love a statue of a fierce goddess like Athena in full battle armour, but most of the ones that are available and affordable have all got their tits out . So not found anything to go here yet. Although I did just impulse splurge £60 on a 2ft tall purple metal dragon sculpture I came across. Won’t fit here but it’ll be fun to put somewhere else in the garden, hiding in a border!

I think I’ve decided so far on painting the breezeblocks the same colour as the fencing, just not sure what colour that will be yet. Something dark I expect. Not convinced by black - anthracite? Navy? Or maybe the fence could be dark but the breezeblocks white to highlight them, don’t know if you can see the concrete panels to the right are white, or supposed to be, and I think I’ll repaint them white as that’s the shady north facing patio at the back of the house.

And also pretty much decided on creating a wooden board to fit in the back of the arch as well, either painted or mosaic tiled or a mixture, I have a collection of mosaic-style mirrors that I could maybe make use of.

So many ways I could go with this.

Fencing contractor is coming to measure up tomorrow morning :-)

LemonViolet I like your thinking! I think I need to be a bit more adventurous with my garden. Not sure I'm quite ready for statues though 😆