You could use a dark grey for the roof and paint the walls a soft grey/green with the woodwork a clean white - a pergola with a vine would look good - ornamental grape vines give you cover in the summer and lose their leaves in winter - the leaves turn a fantastic burgundy during autumn

It is not clear where the entrance to the house is at the moment. That is something I would aim to define first with pathway and landscaping -possibly this is something the verandah you wish to add will help with? Is the roof replacement due to leaky tiles or aesthetics? We have similar age property with tiles that need replacing and will probably go with colourbond. I quite like the appearance of the tiles on your place though. A blue grey paint with white trims would look nice. Something like dulux Miller Mood perhaps.

Woah, that is such a difference in the photos you have kindly posted cloudpants! I really like the deck and the garage doors are very smart - are they bifold doors?Good windows really change the house too.

To be honest scott I haven't had a builder look at the house yet, I don't know the roof's true condition (or anything else's). Eep!

But we don't want to have to care for the roof in the future and a steel roof seems a durable and worry free option.

The entrance is located up three brick steps via a brick patio which is in poor condition and cracked. I hope removing some bushes and adding a verandah will clarify the entrance.

Hi Tyrian, where is the house situated? i.e. what hemisphere and climate zone are you in? If you are in the Northern hemisphere you will want as much natural light as possible to enter through the south. An idea might be to construct a trellis and grow a deciduous...and edible (even better) plant which will let the light in during winter but provide shade and cool in summer. I have seen a few examples where temporary shade cloth has been fixed to the trellis while the plant grows. Alternatively, glass or polycarbonate roofing (with the plants growing on the underside) can maximise light but also protect from and collect rain water if this applies here. Best of luck!

what about a flat roofed drive through carport balancing a flat roofed verandah across the front of the house (Colorbond roofing over the entry and vine covered pergola across the verandah) Screening shrubs along the front fence with a lychgate would create a more welcoming entry and enhance the outlook from the street and inside

Culture we are in Victoria, so four seasons for sure. I like the idea of a clear roof for that reason! Thanks!

Cloudpants these are images I have scouted too, you have my mental adventure clear.

oklouise I think that sounds really interesting I am going to ponder and look for examples! Thanks all!

Ps I love the name cloudpants, I am not sure why.

And does anyone have any thoughts on a retaining wall that would look good with this style house? It's about a metre high. I don't want gabion as the roses will have to go then. Also not mad on render..

Ta wuff! This is good, I just asked a friend and they didn't know the answer! You guys are so on point here.

Question for the green thumbs: There is a foot of earth in front of the retaining wall and I was hoping to grow some kind of hedge or small trees there. Would birch trees survive in such a small space? Are they too exposed to the sun in that spot? Other options? There is slope towards the south, so the house is high and visible.

Hi love the look of your house great idea for your roof colourbond no worries for the future i think a straight roof not bull nose and try a few diffrent colours not just grey there is heaps of choice i am choosing a new colour for our roof its red now but we need to replace it good luck lovely house nice garden just needs a good trim sally.

Ok no bullnose, I want to try and stay with the original style such as it is, good one.

Thank you for these colours Lesley! I MUST put a verandah though - the front garden is heavenly - 9 metres to the front with roses and fruit trees (though it looks rough here) and is high up opposite a park for a view. I plan to play guitar here of an evening and add more white, blue & purple flowers to the middle and a pergola with climbing roses for a Moon Garden.

I do wonder about creating a lychgate at the front with steps and a path to the house now. I hadn't noticed how the entrance is just the driveway till mentioned here.

Thanks we like it too, it's completely adorable at the back too with Japanese Maples everywhere. :-) yes I am thinking a pergola now and just doing a roof over the entrance. Good advice!