I think a good design antic with your exterior is to go with a theme. I think timber is good. You could replace the current front fence with a timber slat one (same height still-that way it doesn't take away from your era look but its modern at the same time. = Would you be interested in replacing the roller-door? Maybe get a timber roller-door, similar to the front fence. Not sure where you are in the world, but if your in Australia i could show you come companies that have good timber roller doors. The render colour should just be a smooth finish, without patterns, you may like the coil design on the corners, that's completely up to you. A colour that would entertain that particular era but stay modern is Colorbond Dune.

Another suggestion is to render the outside and paint them colorbond dune, but also get a panel lift rollerdoor that is in the colour of colorbond dune. That would look fantastic. Then re-paint the entire front fence white, and if your interested in roof restoration i would get it done in woodland grey - also a colorbond colour.

I really hope this advice helps, please let me know how you go!!

Hi, sorry i literally just found an image or my second suggestion i gave you.
Blue- the white fence
Black- Colourbond Dune (Render)
Red- Colourbond Woodland Grey (Roof Restoration)

I would remove the front fence - too much structured white - and replace with a hedge. Allow the hedge to grow about 1 metre tall max. It needs to be green and growing well. The green against the terracotta colour of the home and driveway will help to take away some of the solidness of too much of the same colour. The driveway would look better if it was 12mm grey gravel, but there appears to be nothing wrong with the paved driveway, so would probably leave it alone. If thinking of redoing it, grey would soften to appearance.

Today I planted a Plumbago hedge. It will take a few years to grow though! Mauve/purple flowers.

In these kinds of projects we encourage people to go for bang for buck. In the attached link we suggested our client might resist spending any significant money on the existing building and build an extension that serves current open plan needs, connecting the building with the garden, where we suggested more money be spent. More garden at the front would soften your building a lot and may reduce the need to alter much. All the best. http://www.michaelbellarchitects.com/residential-projects/lane-cove-residence/

Thank you for these fabulous ideas!!

La classe - that colour scheme is exactly what we are looking for, thank you so much for the suggestions. We definitely want to add coil design to the corners - any ideas companies who do this? (We're in Perth). We are actually thinking of extending the house to where the garage is (this will give us a larger kitchen and dining). We are therefore thinking about moving the garage to the opposite side of the property...possibly a carport. We are building a high brick wall around the whole property as that will allow us to use the front yard for entertaining. Landscaping and a beautiful old gate to the entrance will hopefully give it a softer feel. I like the idea of rendering...particularly if we do decide to extend! I love the windows in the picture you painted, we will have to replace ours as they are falling apart!

Timandra Design - as mentioned above we are likely to build a wall around the property, do you think a hedge on the interior will still look nice? We want to create a private, softer front yard that we can sit out in as that is the biggest outdoor space we have (the remainder of the property has a 4metre wide wrap around verandah). I like the idea of changing the driveway, will also want to change the pathway to the front door. Are you in Perth by any chance?

Michael Bell Architects - what a fantastic extension! The lane cove residence reminds me a lot of our property; I love how you've opened up the house to a luscious green garden. I think that could work well with our property out the front!

I personally like the idea of a solid green hedge - not too high, and then using fastigiate ornamental pears coming out of the hedge. You then get a double hedge effect with the top level being deciduous. This also provides privacy. It is a very classic look.
I don't know where north is in relation to the front yard which would have an impact on plant choice. And Perth is very particular in what can be used regarding soils.
Grey gravel -12mm I would still also suggest. Burglars hate it!!!
A native garden with soft grey foliage would also work well.
I am from Victoria.
All the best with the project.

Our pleasure! We generally use Unitex if i'm correct they do have a franchise in WA. It would be worth looking at their website, they have some really great architectural facade ideas. http://unitex.com.au/
Your ideas sound great, and I hope all goes well for you. If you would like any more details about the information here, let us know.