grey and white always look good but Google "choosing colour schemes" for all the different paint companies services for matching colour schemes

Hello. See attached photo. It's strange as when we moved into the house the house had been empty for a few years and prior to that I'd say the gardens had been neglected as everything was overgrown..hence the fig would not have been looked after...for the first few years we had no trouble with the dogs..and now last 3 or so years they have been getting this thing.

As someone who bought a brick house recently, a major reason for the decision was the low maintenance of unpainted brick. So, no, don't paint the brick! The facade above the brick looks heavy and dominating because it is so bright white and all one colour. Why not go for a more retro look, break up the solidity of the overhanging facade by painting the vertical trims a different colour? Pick a colour that compliments the brick and keep in mind that colours were more adventurous in the 70s. Embrace the fun of the beach and the retro look without going overboard. Leave the brick as is, paint window trims to contrast and catch the light., maybe add shutters in the same colour to make windows look bigger and add more to catch the eye under the eaves. And paint the front door a fun, bright colour. Citrus colours catch the light and pop, but check they don't clash with the colour of the brick. You need contrast and brightness. Our blonde brick house was built in 1960. We painted the front door, the awning over our sliding doors and our garage door all the same colour: bright citrus orange (the garage door has 2 horizontal white stripes). The result was an instant uplift. We then had the roof restored and painted a terracotta colour (concrete tiles) and cleaned the eaves. The house looks fresh as a daisy and so much more attractive. The paint cost about $100, and the roof cost $6000. Money well spent! Then we worked on the gardens. We took out tall plants close to the house and replanted the gardens with more attractive flowering plants, going for colour. It all looks much more inviting now.

Is the first pic you posted an older one , maybe off the for sale ad ? It looks several shades yellower , but the gardens are quite different too . So that leads me to conclude it is fading on its own account -- that makes it easier IMO , just do nothing and it'll fade more ! Buttery yellow and brown were 80's , and pretty naff now , but instead of black , I'd go a Japanese Black -- a bit more matt , even blue hues there too -- more interesting , again just my opinion . The terracota does look slightly out of proportion , but lighter walls , darker trim and the orangeness of the terracota for interest would be my go , but then I'm not a fan of too much white on walls -- I'd prefer the 'relaxed casual' of a beige , jap black and terracota to crisp whites . I also assume that timber and the area to the 'right' of the stairs is the area closest to the street ? No matter what you do ( I'd go Jap Black stain on the wood , but do what YOU want ) I'd look at a bark garden or rock garden , with probably cactus and flax and reds and yellows and greens -- the timber looks too much in proportion to the render in the picture , so i'd soften that ( basically hide part of it ) . I like the character and it can get even better -- a great base ! Well done !