Somebody spent a lot of time and $$$ on that beautiful paving but the overall impression of the property is drab, I'd be getting the house and bbq walls rendered first then painting the entire house a soft pastel acqua with clean white window frames and verandah posts. Add some pops of colour with groups of large turquoise pots outside billowing with plants and replace the dreary outdoor table setting too!!

Unfortunately most of our $$$ has gone into the purchase of the house, that's why rendering the house is really not an option at this point in time. I agree the paving looks good I just wish it didn't clash so much with the house. I think the photoshop done on the pictures makes it look worse than it really is. I've included a more colour accurate picture taken at the auction yesterday. Thanks mykky for the idea of rendering the bbq....I was thinking we could also render the pond to match. I also had the idea of doing the window frames and posts in white. I'm not sure if the outside table is included but we might have to keep it for at least one summer before splurging on something nice! In a couple of years sttop we plan to put in a nice outdoor kitchen, so we will get rid of the bbq and pond then. At the moment we just have to make the best out of what we've got. The idea of the large round planters is a great idea - it might take a bit of attention away from the bricks. Thank you both for your ideas greatly appreciated!!

Wow. What an amazing first home. Streets ahead of mine. If money is tight (as i am sure it is) I would try the planter idea first. I would embrace the way it is.....it is much more stylish than some brick homes!!!

Thanks snow momma! We've just moved from Switzerland and most of the people rent there, so although we are first home owners, we are certainly not (sadly!) in the same age bracket as most people buying their first home haha! I agree with you that's all we can do at the moment, just try to embrace it and then slowly work on it. Personally I prefer that than moving into something that's all done perfectly already :)

Thanks mazpt for the idea....( sheepishly goes to google 'outdoor rug')

I agree with sttop. Render is too high maintenance and the house is actually quite beautiful. Just add some more solid block colour in the form of pot plants, garden walls outdoor rugs.You could probably also safely render the bbq without kicking yourself

Your home has beautiful proportions and I agree with the above suggestions too. Regarding the pond would you think about emptying it and making a garden bed full of colourful plants and foliage? Drainage would need to be addressed but it would help to break up the area more.

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Hi Jazz Jazz - you've got a beautiful house with great paving - all in all it's got really great bones - actually it's the perfect low maintenance canvas to start making a gorgeous home. It's just looking a little harsh now because you've not yet put your personal stamp on the area. Greening the area up with well behaved climbing plants, large pots (herbs are great near the house and are a bit easier on your back for harvesting as are dwarf citrus trees - particularly kumquats), other pots with draping foliage plants and hanging baskets with seasonal colour on the edge line of your patio area will soften all the hardness of the materials and lines of your home as well as help eliminate any obvious disjointed colour differences in your hard materials very cost effectively and quickly.. Add a large brightly colourful sun umbrella and bright cushions for your outdoor furniture and you'll be on your way (lime greens and reds work well to give you colour that will break the visual mass of brick and paving). I'd leave the pond as it is, just making sure that the pump worked to bring the tranquil sound of water to your outdoor area - you can put in some water plants as well to further soften the area if you like. Enjoy the process of making this space yours - with a small budget and some work, you'll have an amazing space.

A beautiful home. Congratulations!

Absolutely agree to adding potted plants of varying heights. The bricks will be more background then. The patio bricks and house exterior have lovely character! It just needs to be visually be broken up a bit and plants will do that without making any major permanent changes. Think of it like a painted interior space that just needs decor and artwork added. Looks like there is an empty garden bed in front of that bay window just waiting for something special also.

A Weeping Lilly Pilly, Doh?

Ahh! You've posted it more then me now!

But everyone knows I'm a silly billy.

And I'm still a goat in the closet. :P

Well if you paint it Tardis inside it will feel more spacious.

Wow I'm overwhelmed by all your ideas and responses. Thanks everyone!

Jazz, I like the brickwork, the paving was laid with love, you can see that. Just needs plants to soften it now. A nice garden makes the world of difference.

Thanks Chooks!

Thanks to everyone who's replied...for round 2, please also see: https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/melbourne-tram-in-my-yard-dsvw-vd~3435850 :)

Cute tram! I'm in Vic.

Please all vote AND comment on this new yearbook poll

https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/high-school-image-poll-for-yearbook-dsvw-vd~3435868

Bigger pots, more large, green, unfussy plants. Perhaps stain your outdoor furniture a richer colour?

Party for Citizensmiff's birthday this evening.

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I agree with everyone, the brickwork is craftsmanship and actually compliments the craftsman style of the house. It just needs to be broken up a little, the way a huge blank white wall would with art. Also a previous comment about the brick looking overwhelming closeup but fine in a longer shot with the bushland around it is also correct. In context, it's not as bad as you are probably perceiving it.

Lots more greenery amongst the brick and a contrasting colour used on woodwork, pots of the plants and possibly even the bricks themselves (BBQ and pond) could really help, but most importantly, are really low cost.

Google brick stain. Much cheaper than bagging the brick and easy to apply or maintain. It could also be used on terracotta pots of the plants and match a paint colour on the house. I'd go with a charcoal or blue grey to pick up on all the lovely bluestone used around your house.

It really is a beautiful first home, very few first homes have a forever home feel like yours does!! You should be really happy with your purchase.

Congrats!

I wouldn't touch the brick of the house itself - it's way too gorgeous. But the paving could do with a lot of softening up with good planting and possibly some more garden beds with soft shrubs and overhanging ground covers to take the hard edges off the brick.

Michelle