Hi Brett about 5 to 10 years ago the trend was if your design style was contemporary your trim colour was the same as the walls and if your design style was classic your trim was a lighter, often white contrast to the wall colour. These days the trend is to the latter regardless of your design style as your builder's designers suggested. However matching your trim colour to the walls is still a good option if you have 8' ceilings. As there is minimal difference (only in the level of sheen) between the skirting boards and wall colour it makes the ceiling look higher. Another option is to do the trim in a similar but lighter tone such as Dulux Grey Pebble quarter. This is a very subtle tone on tone look. Whatever the colour, do you have a choice in the sheen level for your trim? I generally recommend semi gloss enamel on trim unless you are after a more classic look and your woodwork is in very good condition (the higher the sheen level the more any imperfections show up), in which case you could consider full gloss enamel. At the end of the day it's your home so you should do what you'd prefer - after all it's only paint so it's easily changed! All the best with your build.

A lighter colour trim is always a good option. If you want to save some money and time jump onto https://www.monstashop.com/ They can send you a free colour deck with all the whites available. Or you can get your Dulux colour matched! All without leaving the house!!

Hi rachemacdonald Natural white is one of my favourite interior whites. It's not too creamy but still warm and not cold and sterile. Use low sheen on walls. Use half strength on the ceilings in a flat finish. (The ceiling acts as a reflector to bounce light around the room.) The trims - arch, skirts, windows and doors can be half strength in a satin finish. This will modernise the space and make it feel more spacious. Best wishes.

To Modernise this without rendering or retiling the roof I would probably recommend to go darker with the trims. My top pick as a colour consultant would be Dulux's Domino for the trim. It will be a little bolder and create a more modern contemporary feel. You can see it pictured below as the trim. Obviously this house has painted their bricks in the shade "teahouse" however it will still look much better on your 1980s "peru" colour bricks! Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any more help colour wise!