Hi Rob , You are entering an exciting time with a new home, good luck with it all . Just a couple of suggestions : (1) Any reason you are note considering an architect to be involved ? When chosen carefully they can be very cost effective , plus they will create the unique custom one off that you are after. Their design concepts will go far beyond just what the exterior looks like Rob, they will also consider ( for example) how a skillion roofline has other functional benefits like incorporating high line ( clerestory) windows that will bring fabulous light into the centre of your new home etc. They will also advise on orientation and wind etc etc and lots more . (2) Regardless of whether an architect is involved, I would suggest that you seriously consider getting someone to create a 3D walkthrough of your new home so that you can walk through and around it before you spend your money on construction. It really does let you see the visual effects, plus because the 3D is to scale , it will help you sort out any potential issues with design and /or construction in advance( i.e. saves you time and money during construction ) . The 3D's can be created once you have your plans and elevations completed. You can get the 3D's created fairly cheaply ( a few hundred $'s ) on www.freelancer.com where professionals from around the globe compete for your project . It is money well spent , and you can see the colours and textures in lifelike scenarios , so it takes away the mystery and what if's . Good luck with your project , and sorry, I don't like the dark blue at all :-) . Cheers Glenn

Our roof is Jasper and our facade is Hog Bristle triple strength (previous owner's choice). In the shade the combination looks good but in the sun I think the walls look too yellow. We recently painted our front rendered fence in Hog Bristle (single strength) and we like it much better than the triple. In the sun it looks a lot like Surfmist but with slightly more warmth (I had a couple of passerbys asking if it was Surfmist). I also think Dune looks great with Jasper. We live in SE Qld and do not find the dark-coloured Jasper roof heats up the house at all (we have roof tiles, not colorbond, and we have roofing insulation). I tried to take some photos to upload but as its a drizzly day, the colours are looking all wrong.

The façade cost will depend upon the materials you pick and site specs (sloping blocks are a bit more challenging) and labour costs ( just make sure that you check your trades licenses, insurances and references for everyone who works on your house) - once you're structurally sound then the rest is straight forward (it's also been my experience with my builders - who are awesome - that they can come up with some amazing ideas that are cost effective and have a real wow factor). If it were me I'd ask around the neighbourhood for builders that can be recommended - they should be able to do it all at the same time and save you some money. On the materials - I'd be tempted to go with natural timber that will weather naturally without needing maintenance - personally I'd lean towards a Japanese technique of charring the timber so that you don't need to do a lot of upkeep - called Shou-sugi-ban - the reason being that the dark colour will tone in with your window frames.

You are on the right track with the Monument garage door, and possibly changing the glazing. I wouldn't tack on anything to the brickwork as it will always looked tacked on, and won't go with the rest of the house. Nothing worse than making a "feature'" when trying to conceal something - it just draws attention to it. Continue to make your porch and entry the feature which draws your eye, rather than distracting it with a feature garage wall. Where do you start and where do you stop when applying a cladding over brickwork? The rear garage wall can probably be seen form the neighbours front yard, so how far around the corner will you need cladding? It will need to be carefully resolved and detailed around the window sills and reveals. A better bet would be spending the money that has been earmarked for cladding on landscaping instead to the front of the garage with some dense, ever-green shrubbery. At least it will look natural and not draw attention to the garage wall and away from your front entry. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls