Linda the image above uses a pediment type of scenario, and creates a recessed gable, however with one side of your home having a parapet and the other, a floating gable without a soffits, I think it wouldn't work. I think the strapping i showed yours easiest and most effective as it won't look like fixing an error. As for no shingles, they are my first pick, but very particular and you lean either way, I'm for them, but only real ones, not the fc product ones which have wrong proportions all round. I could only suggest using a batten arrangement in the same way as your gable, otherwise the lining boards look best. These can be sheets, so fixing would be easy. It would tie in with your porch roof being lining boards too. The main thing for me is that window awning, put architraves to the exterior of that window frame, paint it the dark blue colour, to conceal the white window, that's why I suggested white timber details, to make sense of this error.

Hi Filfy, some great ideas from everyone, mine will probably be quite similar. Firstly, depends how much you want to spend and what look you are after, modernise or modern? Anyway, here are some of my ideas. Take out the Yuccas from front area - they really close in the house there and make it look depressing, replant them, maybe along the front side of house. Repaint the brown timber cladding to something like, Dulux Malay grey or similar. Repaint the Fascias in same Dulux colour as well as the triangular piece on the roof. Take out lattice, do not replace - old and tacky now, very popular years ago though : ) Extend deck along front of house and also bring it forward(if you have the cash), stairs to come forwards (straight out) to meet with path. Decks make a big difference to a house and re-sale IMO. New railing in... Timber posts near Yucca's, are these painted or oiled and stained? See if you could sand these back (I hate sanding-takes time) and stain and oil them, possibly teak? You could re-paint them in Malay grey but stain and oil would make the property look more expensive. Or if you want to render, just do the front of the house and say a metre coming around the side of the house from the front. Could use a grey on the render, paint the slats either a light colour (something that goes with the brick and grey, close to white) or a very dark colour like domino….. Hope this helps.. : )) Below is a link to a big renovation I just finished on the Gold Coast. (Signed M) http://www.kwikclicks.com.au/viewproperty.php?id=3045 Michelle..

Twould never say that. Saying it is just nice to be. would not want to be the alternative would you? Happy to be with aussies, and India Indians, and Americans, all of them, and europeans, and Afrikanis, and Asians, and most of all Polarites! If I left anyone out forgive me, this is wearing me out. Just for the roos on board. brewhaha! Poor little aussie op, she did not ask for this.

I too would avoid render. Render is expensive and if you can afford it you can afford to look at other options like quality landscaping. What you spend on render could be transferred to landscape and this would relocate your focus. At the moment it seems theres nothing else amazing to view so we look straight to the brickwork and think thats the problem area. You already have some retro cool chairs and the agave is great but takes too much effort to see... then bam the brick draws you in. New front fence and pathway, a cool new retro letter box, paint the front door a wicked orange or yellow... Way too many people have modernised old houses in the past and have ruined them. Federation houses had stained glass timber windows and doors replaced with aluminium, fretwork removed, fire placed knocked down, etc.. no one does that now, it gets re-instated at significant cost. These later homes are now copping modernising and yet again to the trained eye it rarely works out well. Post a picture of whats out the back or even just a plan, if construction has not yet kicked off. We can perhaps even save you money and improve your home, win win.