If you don’t like the fence then remove it. It doesn’t really fit in with the era of the house. Returning a window to that blank wall would improve the look of the house. It currently looks odd and unfriendly. Windows improve your street presence. Choose windows in keeping with the rest of the house. Also think about orientation. If the front is facing west you’ll get harsh western light in summer heating up that room unless you have vertical shading. It might be why they bricked it up in the first place. Which brings me to the awning to the right of the house. It is what makes that window look odd. It would greatly improve the look of the house if it was removed, but if your house faces west you might regret it. Really think hard before rendering. Bricks are virtually maintenance free. Render will require ongoing maintenance. And there is the potential to look like you’re trying to turn the house into something it’s not rather than embracing it. As trends go, brick is back and render is on the way out. Not that you should always follow trends. Your money might be better spent on landscaping and other things that will improve the amenity. Congratulations on the new house. It’s very exciting.

I want some decorative, ornamental only, window shutters for either side of three windows. Anyone know where in Melbourne might I purchase them

I can’t recommend a specific colour, Stephanie, as online colours can be so deceptive, but because the brick is so colourful, I would choose two shades of the same colour for your trims. This would prevent it looking too flat if everything was exactly the same but not introduce yet another hue. My choice would be a warm, pale stone (not too yellow or too grey), as close as possible to one of the brick colours. We found the staff at our local independent paint store to be really helpful when choosing colours and were actually less expensive than the big nationwide chain when buying a largish quantity. Hope this helps a bit, anyway

I've been researching too, as I was wanting them. If you like dust..then wood. As they are much harder to clean than pvc I was told Wood was cheaper... But I want ease, with a duster! Not sure re colour change as I was looking at White. Anyway...not getting them as I wanted 1 long one, 600x2130 twice, (2 lounge Windows ) Couldn't do it without having two shutters on one window, as Windows too long, not strong enough in one long shutter, wanted a stick to adjust them....couldn't do it, had to use hubbies dirty fat hands to open and shut them, as he gets up first, and it's his OCD thing to open curtains then Windows..reverse each night all 4 would be different angles.. Front of the house...not worth my time cleaning dirty finger marks, and making sure they are all open at same angle each morning. I wouldn't get out of bed! $1750 for the two windows. $500 for fat venetians with tape and a wand, so they have a similar look. Pull cord can be hidden inside box at top. Sorry..just had to get that all out.. As I wanted shutters! :(