I would keep the balustrade but paint it a very dark grey but not black. Get a really nice feature front door, maybe something moderne or "P & O" style, paint it yellow to make it pop. Install a new window , suggest louvre window, but make sure the frame is in a light grey. Remove the fibro and replace with Eco clad in the vertical ship lap profile. Paint the walls in a warm light grey, including the red brick below. Make sure the Eco clad is slightly proud of the brickwork so it creates a small shadow line, like a belt. Plant out the base of the walls with some suitable natives. You might find the book "the Fibro Frontier" by Historic houses trust press worth a look. Yes, this is ubiquitous Aussie suburbia, the style is often referred to as Post War moderne, in a very loose sense. It's classic 1950s style project home. It may be a Hudsons Ready Cut. Hope this helps Sarah, studio renew

The stained glass windows seem to be at odds with the exposed brick, but probably match the original part of the house. If the stained glass windows are giving privacy from an overlooking neighbour I would keep them, and work to make the brickwork more like the original part of the house, so it seems less incongruous. This could be done using a traditional wet plaster or solid plaster technique, which you would need to complete befor your gas insert fireplace is positioned. I would finish it of with a traditional timber fireplace surround and mantle piece, which would be the focal point of a more contemporary room, but link in with the original architecture. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

There's some great ideas there . The first thing that stands out is that pipe handrail downstairs -- I hate them with a vengence . Remove it , extend the step to fill the space , with 1 or maybe 2 small full-width steps . Just me , I'd do in charcol or black non-glossy 400 x 400 tiles . Most of the windows are black framed , and look okay in my opinion . Paint the upstairs balistrade in black or charcoal -- will tie it in and even though the style is dated , I don't think it would matter -- it would then look like part of the overall concept . I like the English White of the front door , but here's where I'd get colourful -- do the door jamb and the diamonds in the brightest citrus orange you can , and then carry it to the garage door ! The garage door surround ( including the 3 window surrounds above it ) I would paint in charcoal or black . And here's probably the most controversial part -- leave the awnings , but also paint them in Citrus Orange , with the ridges on them in a beige , maybe veering towards an apricot ! This will really lift everything visually IMO , the orange brick will tie in and bland in without looking overdone , the Bright Orange and mainly charcoal or black is modern but not too modern , with the English White door breaking everything while still having Bright Ornage to tie it all in . There looks to be a Butterscotch Orange gate to the left of the house -- obviously , you would repaint that in the brighter orange too , to look cohesive , but you already see how it looks more exciting than the Burgundy Red existing colours . Which leaves 1 thing I don't like the colour of -- the top fascia board or gutter . I suspect Vitamin C Orange would be too much , so probably play it safe , and go either charcoal , or a lighter greeny/grey to match the roof tiles . Probably not what everyone would do -- but that's what I would do with that pallette !

Thanks, Irene. I spent some time on the Dulux site earlier and came to a preliminary conclusion to use Domino on the back window frames (rather than pure black) and leave the door open to use basalt on the roof. In the mean time I could use Domino (or a lightened version of it) on highlights on the front of the house. Maybe just the very top of the gable frame?