We have a similar problem in that we really don't like our brickwork in our 1980 built home and have the dark brown window frames. Some people just can't understand why we dislike the bricks and I thought they may grow on me. After 4 years I still can't stand them and can't wait until we can afford to render. If we had a small area like yours I would have got it done long ago. Ours is huge. Don't be tempted to bag the walls. I've seen some shockers, usually people trying to do a cheap 'flip'. As for the windows, my uncle who is a painter & decorator said that as long as the frames are cleaned well they are OK to paint conventionally. The channels will be tricky, but ours need new felts etc. anyway.

I would start with making a decision on the carport first. Start by talking to the council as you may not be able to do a double carport (and the single carport at your neighbours looks like a tight squeeze!) Also as Missmel said you should probably also make a decision whether to paint or not early on. If you are going to go with carport, paint, new awning and possibly porch windows you are getting into a whole new look so I would start talking a professional about the best way to design it. As an alternative to the porch enclosure could you get the front windows double glazed to reduce noise? If it was my place I think I would only be changing the awning, paint the fences, landscape, and maybe do a single carport if its really needed (plus the tiling etc that you mentioned). Some new fretwork might be nice too. To me the main thing to change is the bullnose, as you said its not original and it looks heavy and dominating. You will have to post some pics when done I will be really interested to see how this all turns out.

it's a gorgeous house, nothing as awful as your description: think Roman mid century modern for inspiration but you must keep the breeze bricks (with an extra railing to bring it up to safe legal balcony height 865cm? and the stone panelling but the stacked bricks and the stair railings look too dainty and would be better with a solid framework to match the chunky pergola and, unless you have a gorgeous view from inside the house, consider making the front upstairs balcony railing in a solid panel (try painting the glass to trial a dark colour) and clad the whole upstairs balcony wall with the Scyon panelling but i prefer the dark (painted dark grey?) brick at the front with the very distinctive square white arch...

Don't try and modernise this home, it has a lovely mid-century character that you should build on. I suggest to all of my clients that they should live in a home for at least 12 months before spending big renovation dollars. Understand how your house works with the change of seasons, and the existing electrical and plumbing services. Sometimes when you are on a tight budget in an old house then boring things like gutters and hot water systems are more important than supeficial aesthetics. Elements that are not original, such as your roller blinds at the front aren't contributing to the look of the house. The right landscaping could provide the shade you need and look much better. Love it for what it is, rather than try and make it into something that it is not. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls