1. Paint over bricks, either in a light grey (white-wash) colour or a mid grey/blue-grey... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/resort-inspiration-tropical-exterior-perth-phvw-vp~4028776 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/bilgola-house-contemporary-exterior-sydney-phvw-vp~12387394 2. Paint the cladding/paneling on the side in a colour opposite to the one chosen in 1. above... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/decarle-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535555 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/marbel-st-contemporary-patio-melbourne-phvw-vp~1520623 3. Reseal the roof tiles in a darker grey-blue or bluestone/slate colour, similar to this, but match the garage door colour to the roof colour (i.e. not that timber look) https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/ethel-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535879

Great question. There are really two schools of thought around this. 1. Renovate from the very beginning (preferably before you move in) 2. Live in the house for a little to get used to it and better understand how it might work for you. Often people choose option 2 because they don't have the time required to research options but I think if you engage a design professional to help develop your ideas you will be able to hasten the bigger renovation, thereby saving yourself the $100k. It's really a personal decision based on your individual circumstances. Keep in mind, you'd possibly have to move out for the $100k renovation anyway. For the sake of budgeting for your renovation, you might also want to use this: Online Renovation Cost Calculator All the best. Richard@themakeovergroup

I am clearly in the minority, but its a no for me- the gorgeous brick walls, doorway, character all lost - I think that a lighter touch would have given a much more tasteful, interesting and less generic result and allowed some of the house’s heritage to peek through a modern update. if the owners are happy though, that is what matters, their house, not mine

Yeah , I'm more with Austere -- I personally would have gone more luxe , and more variety in colours and textures and fittings . The kitchen -- I like the light , and theres the original door with the brass knob . Thats the good bits . Okay , I like eclectic , and themes -- I would have had every door with a 'surround' part and a chamferred centre -- the centre in that 50's light mint green , the rest in english cream . 'Period' brass handles , knobs , hinges . And not shiny brass -- aged . If you want a slightly more modern look -- get an engineer to make you long S shaped handles , in aged brass . At least some of the subway tiles in a mid green . As luxe as possible -- I actually saw some mid green subways a while ago that had streaks through them that looked like NZ greenstone ! Beautiful IMO . The rest of the tiles maybe in a plain mint green , or obviously stick with the white if you want to be 'safe' . The fridge a mint green Smeg . The stove top brand new but in cast black . The oven a similar reproduction in black . Black and white floor tiles . Ideally as intricate as the bathroom , but even 100 x 100 in a chequerboard pattern , with a black or even mid green ( to tie in with the wall subways as above ) tile frieze around the edge . In fact , how would a white and mid green tiled floor look , maybe in small fiddly looking 50mm tiles , with the light mint partial doors and fridge ? Maybe a bit small and too intricate for a kitchen floor , but I guess you'd have a resin not a grout ? Natural wooden floors would work -- wood veneer replicas not so much . Luckily I'm not an expert , just an enthusiastic amateur . We all have different tastes , and although I do like to stick to themes , my whole attitude is to 'improve' something . It often doesn't cost a lot more . I dislike boring .