Hi Sue, I think it would look amazing if you used some tiles with a bit of texture. The wood look tiles that are popular at the moment would be an example. If you chose a colour that toned in with your floor you would get a really nice cohesive look but with a bit of interest. I've attached a photo of a recent design of mine as an example. Just a suggestion!

Although we have very deep eaves and lovely large decks, we don't actually have proper shade at our new house so that we can enjoy the outdoor living. Trying to resolve this. Thinking about a big shade sail further away from house where we have a big table and chairs, and perhaps decorative metal panels attached to either the roof or wall cladding on the west deck. The sun is harshest during afternoons to sunset and so far we cannot use this deck for '5 o'clock somewhere' drinks.

Yes an external blind will interrupt that wonderful second story view, if it has to be down all day. There is not a deck outside that window, so a vergola would not be easy to install, unless it is double storey height. A fixed awning may work. But may have to be large to cover the part of window that is letting sun onto stairs. REtractable awnings, may have times, that they can not be extended because of strong winds. I have had good results with window tinting.

I'd want to see the whole house , the street view -- basically , more info . You have red brick , which by the gap I am guessing is a veneer , and does it go to the ground , or is there a lower panelling in something different ? Then there is the monument on the gutter , and the windows are different stages , different shades , one appears to be peeling . And an orange downpipe . Then back a bit , you have a pastel snifters green , with a pink window surround and trim , olivey green roof , lower surround in olive in some places , charcoal in another . Back a bit more , and a different snifters green , stained timber base boards , natural fibre cement , dark green or charcoal window surround and white downpipe . THEN a deck , in what looks like a different green handrail again , and a different white . In other words , is white even the right choice , because it seems like you'll still end up with just a different colour of hodge-podge , whereas by planning you will end up with something that looks like a 'semi-planned' colour scheme .