This is just like our Mediterranean house in Canberra. It was rendered white which never cracked or got mould on it, though I would prefer it to be done in a modern colour like our current home on the Gold Coast which is a rich sand colour with a heavy bagged appearance that has faded from a strong dark sand. With beautiful dark patterned orangey tiles all outside that reflect their colour on the walls during the day it is quite magical. Roof tiles also spray painted after being re pointed. I suggest you amplify the lovely quality of arches and don't go for what is trendy. But go with colour scheme for the house design. At our entrance there is a built up garden courtyard feature with wonderful iron gates and a large water feature in the courtyard that the lounge room looks out to and has the French doors that also opened onto the courtyard garden. Commence the courtyard wall to the left side of the steps and create a flat area at the gated entrance where we had a north single gate and a west double gate. The Pines were planted on the outside of this courtyard wall and gave extra privacy and blocked the westerly afternoon sun. The house always looked impressive, yet was just a simple presentation.

Hi Filfy, some great ideas from everyone, mine will probably be quite similar. Firstly, depends how much you want to spend and what look you are after, modernise or modern? Anyway, here are some of my ideas. Take out the Yuccas from front area - they really close in the house there and make it look depressing, replant them, maybe along the front side of house. Repaint the brown timber cladding to something like, Dulux Malay grey or similar. Repaint the Fascias in same Dulux colour as well as the triangular piece on the roof. Take out lattice, do not replace - old and tacky now, very popular years ago though : ) Extend deck along front of house and also bring it forward(if you have the cash), stairs to come forwards (straight out) to meet with path. Decks make a big difference to a house and re-sale IMO. New railing in... Timber posts near Yucca's, are these painted or oiled and stained? See if you could sand these back (I hate sanding-takes time) and stain and oil them, possibly teak? You could re-paint them in Malay grey but stain and oil would make the property look more expensive. Or if you want to render, just do the front of the house and say a metre coming around the side of the house from the front. Could use a grey on the render, paint the slats either a light colour (something that goes with the brick and grey, close to white) or a very dark colour like domino….. Hope this helps.. : )) Below is a link to a big renovation I just finished on the Gold Coast. (Signed M) http://www.kwikclicks.com.au/viewproperty.php?id=3045 Michelle..

We have a backyard with 2 x Colorbond 'Monument' fences alreacy in place! We are about to replace our other old timber fence! Looking to soften the look before landscaping and planting round a new pool! Looking for advice in fencing colours to complement tge 'monument' everywhere out back! Basalt or Shale grey etc?? Even neighbours hv monument everywhere (ie roofing, guttering etc - as well as our shared fencing already mentioned! Thoughts?

We chose Monument Tiles and Guttering with "Surfmist" Fascias and Eaves (varying strength of paint). The Pillars at front were rendered and also "Surfmist" (1/2 strength). The Garage door also Monument - focus is drawn to Pillars and Timber Beam (our home very similar to yours). If you visit the Builders showroom they can usually make these changes on computer so you can see visual of how home would look with colour choices! We have Surfmist aluminium window frames and at front of house White Plantation Shutters. Admittedly we have charcoal colored Bricks but house looks Crisp and Clean it "Pops" as they say. We installed 20 Solar Panels ( no Battery) and Electricity is going into Grid! Dearest bill was $14 and one bill we received $1.92 CREDIT). The panels are on the side of house and cannot be seen from street. Well worth the outlay! I have heated floors in bathrooms and ducted air conditioning and so far we haven't lost power when they were working in street and had cut power to houses!!