I really loved this brick when we found it and I still do, but I do have some comments about it. Unfortunately my design brief for a "fireplace hearth" in my farmhouse for my firebox turned out much bigger than expected, but that's another story. As far as the San Selma smoked cloudy silver brick is concerned the brick layer didn't like it much. It was a bit crumbly for him. There are even a couple of cracks already inside the brick hearth. We will have to be careful when securing our mantle piece to it. I don't know that I would do a whole house in this brick. As far as the look of the brick I love it. Its earthy, and suited my farmhouse profile inside and out. It does matter what colour the grout it. It really matters. I wasn't too happy with the grout choice by the bricklayer and should have taken more care to think about it. It's darker than I wanted. Take the time to work out what grout looks best. The same as you would pick a paint colour. We also struggled to choose a colorbond roof colour for where the outside of the brick was seen. We chose Windspray. Doesn't match perfectly as windspray is more yellow/green undertones....(something we are learning as we go along) but it's only a small area seen and hopefully we will find a paint to blend it all together.

I am afraid I have to disagree with Kelli Ford about using white on this exterior as it will be too contrasting. The paneling above the windows would have been stained to show the timber grain, but clear staining never weathers well, so you may want to consider painting it. I would actually go darker and get a sample pot of a Dulux colour called "Luck" which could be described as a warm black/charcoal, with a subtle dark brown undertone, being a perfect complement to your beautiful bricks. By the way I think your house has a more 1970's feel than a 1980's feel. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Ok. I am a little confused where to head. I need a future vision for all components of house and fence to make the little decisions. The pool blue tiles I love but not sure how to tie in with all the fences internal and external and with house especially if this green goes anywhere else ? But I have bought a " green paint" dulux scott's pine very similar to what was there but it is quite wet here so I stumbled on a photo edit option and have done an unskilled mock up on a photo and taken a photo of it in the meantime (as I couldnt work out how to save it!!! ) But although the green is lighter than actual paint I have bought I can actually (ok it has taken me a while) see how the green would work. But if I do that what would I do will both my green fence and my maroon fence from the outside. I also tried to track down junior navy and couldnt find that colour anywhere? I have slate in need of a little tlc inside front door which I love. I know for some people they find it hard to clean or dated. Its individual and I am beginning to subscribe to conscious consumerism. Lets be clear my house has had renos from some different eras so was and is going to be earthy but eclectic and individual in decorating style.

@Lizzy B all went smoothly. the most time consuming part was installing all the battens into the brick followed by corner ends. This was harder because I cladded not only the wall shown with the 3 windows but also the whole front of the house which includes multi steped recession into the front door meaning lots of internal ans external corners as you will see in this next photo. most people would usually just paint this recession to door area rather than clad it because of how fiddly it is and so many short cut boards but i decided if i was going to do it, I would do it all prroperly. it all still looks fantastic and as if i did it yesterday.