It would be awesome if it was marble!! Looks similar to the link you posted, but I am in Australia, marble cladding is not very prominent/used here, so I didn't think it would be? Anyone else to second Bodo or give their thoughts?

@oklouise, How terribly soul destroying going to so much trouble only to find your dream idea failed!! I'm still working on my failure project, a lovely redgum table that I got super cheap but decided to try to unscrew so I could sand and revarnish etc...said table is still sitting with a few 10cm baton screws removed and several half out and a few I can't even start as heads are possible stripped. Worse is that the screws are recessed so deeply, couldn't reach the heads properly, still don't know what I'm going to do to get these huge screws out so it's not a complete disaster!! Have bought an extension for the drill and hope hubby can step in and succeed.

We went with Monument and I am delighted. I was worried about it making the house hotter, but not at all as we added some extra insulation while the roof was lifted. We look over our roof to Mt Dandenong and it really feels like we are floating above the rooftops now (previously had a lighter color). I have also noticed there is far less glare being darker. Pic below is not my best shots ... but you get the idea. Forgot to add we also have a flat cliplock roof and used a combination of Monument and Dune on the house.

Hi there, I personally don't like the look of that rock wall with your home. It does nothing for it. I would get rid of it, you may even be able to sell the rock for a bit of cash. I would besser block a retaining wall in its place with posts and render this, then use your timber horizontally slated between the posts. Select a paint colour that works nice with your timber colour and carry the colour through to your house. This will also work in with your side timber fence. Also remove all the plants in the front, just because they are lovely doesn't mean they are in the right place or serve a purpose, you may be able to transplant them somewhere else in the yard. Plants: mop tops are a great feature tree and give lots of shade in summer. A hedge along the inside of the fence would look great, Lilly pilly's are good and Japanese box is tough as boots and requires little water once up a bit. Westringia, birds of paradise, hibiscus, viburnum, Murraya all take heat, depends on what look your after. My average temps in summer are 47 degrees and winter -3 & these plants survive. Yes I also agree with a path from the front to the door. Front door to house could have some timber posts added with an awning/patio to make it stand out. The timber would carry through from the front fence. Painting the brick can also give it a lift if you don't want to go modern with render. You could also paint the concrete driveway, there are some snazzy options available for this, plain or stencil. Best of luck! I'm sure it will come up a treat.