Hi Sean! You're right, it's nice to preserve the vintage feel. I would advise against the very light blue or very light grey. Instead, I'd consider a medium grey with blue in it instead. Or even green in it. Try Dulux Tinker (blue base) or Dulux Viridis (green base). You still won't get a particularly beachy look with the brown brickwork, but if you introduce sand coloured elements here and there the blue or green greys will work a treat. Also carport ceiling/eaves could have a nod to the warmer sand colour (Dulux Ecru) as an example. Just suggestions of course. Have fun with it. Giulianna

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! i will talk to my parents about adding a fence, trimming the greenery and doing something about that red brick! me me - they brought the house off the builder in the 90's - its like a weird light grey with the green paint trims - the inside was worse, apricot as far as the eye could eye!

There are lots of paint manufacturers apart from Dulux, and hundreds of whites that it could be. Unfortunately the natural light in the photo, the type of camera, any photo editing, and the adjustments on your computer screen make it impossible for anybody to say with any accuracy what the colour may be. The only way to find the right white is to get samples and make your own judgement on site. I always think that Perth light seems stonger and brighter than Sydney light - possibly due to Sydney's airborne pollution in the inner city? There are lots of online resources by various paint manufacturers about choosing the right white, but don't make selections from an online digital image as it won't be accurate. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

It has a sort of Tuscan/ Mediterranian vibe , and I like most of the features ( that chimney design is clever , for example , and the way the paving is wearing is great ! ) . You say about red trim , but to me it looks like a reddy brown , which suits . The bluey greeny board doesn't suit , and doesn't go with the roof either ( I assume the roof is all those charcoal tiles ? ) . Ordinarily , I'd say to lighten the render and go with a darker board -- probably charcoal , but then thats just a continuation of the roof . BUT I like the weathered vibe of the existing render , and I like how the windows etc works with the render too . So here's my 'easy' improvement -- leave it mostly as it is , but change 2 things . The downpipe and collector near the door ( the single story one ) I'd change to genuine copper ( not just paint ) ; and the barge board around the top I'd change to either crisp white ( the safe option ) or a metallic coppery bronze -- that references the downpipe but also ties in and transitions between the render and the tiles . A bit riskier , but IMO worth trying .