If you have some furniture to start with, I would just use the basics for now and live in your home for at least 6 months - 12 is better - and get the feel of the house, the lighting, how the rooms are affected by heat and cold, decide how you are going to live in each room and what your needs will be. This will also help you determine traffic flow, which ultimately affects how your arrange your furniture. It is amazing how many times you can change your mind during this initial period. Most importantly, create your home for YOU, not to impress others, you are the one living in it and happiness comes from the peace and contentment you feel in your surroundings. In the meantime, look through photos on Houzz for ideas, save them in your ideas book for reference and use this to build your decorating.

I love the races and I do bet, big time $1.00 each way on my fave numbers, whichever jockey is wearing purple or a horse name I like the sound of. Have been known to lash out on Melb cup day with a $10 bet, just for a bit of fun. I go to local luncheon and buy some sweeps its all in fun and most functions are in aid of a charity. you have a nice meal a couple of drinks, play some games, sometimes watch a fashion parade. Then later watch the race that stops the nation. A fun day out. Oh, also get dressed up wear your finest hat and maybe win a bottle of wine. All good fun. One day to go to the Melbourne Cup the crowds dress crazy and have a great time. I have been to Sydney's Rosehill for the Golden Slipper but nothing on the Melbourne Cup. As for the alternative a deserted island, golden sand, and calm blue ocean, laying on my hammock with a fruity cocktail sounds devine.

Belinda, with you on cream or beige, it's everywhere. To make your white windows, roof and verandah (and those cute awnings on upper windows, they really help balance the proportions and give your facade some punch) how about a deep, dark grey (deeper than your splashback) - or even charcoal or black stain? Timeless, crisp and classic. There are now light reflecting paints that mean you can go deep and dark and it won't warp the boards. Cover (or at least paint out) the ugly old meters so they disappear. Then pick out some mid greys (a palette of two or three for interest) to paint the veranda posts, deck and steps. Since you don't have a paintable front door, you can add your pops of colour with plant pots, potted flowers or a couple of beaut old chairs (rockers?) to sit on that lovely front porch.

Hi Pele - I hope you don't mind, but to my mind the thing that immediately jumps out at me as not fitting is the colour of the orange terrace tiles! The wall colour and roof colour seem in the earth/cool ochre range, and sort of complement the cool grey driveway even though they are different. The terrace tiles being bright orange clash! If you do/don't have the budget, I would prioritise painting or staining these tiles the Basalt colour which is a deeper grey like bluestone! Or even better switch your budget to retiling this area with a deeper grey or bluestone exterior tile. Add a few plant pots - and I love your timber garage door and possibly timber balustrade - and it would be dramatically transformed! I think this would be a better impact-for-dollar than painting the roof tiles which look to me to be in good condition. Good Luck!