Some pergola ideas... https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/69917791/thumbs/pergolas

Thanks for the suggestions! I probably will go with the charcoal gutter/ fascia. So I can make the red roof and red brick combo work? Or should I stop being an idealist and sacrifice one of them... I'm just worried about losing the original 1980's character of the home (even though it's not everyone's cup of tea!).

The interior is not very light or bright, so bigger windows have been a consideration for a while. Is it worth adding another colour with a window trim, or will it end up looking too busy?


LOVE the pergola ideas. Hadn't even considered it before!

Hi Emy I was advised to have matching roof and gutters and it turned out great & this article agrees.

http://www.stylishlivablespaces.com/exterior-colours/choosing-roof-colours

However, you pretty much have it matching now.

The house looks late 70s or early 80s ? and the tiles may be starting to get porous? Either way, it maybe a chance to change the colour, perhaps darker but distinctive from your neighbour - this'll help:

http://alcoil.com.au/inspiration/colour-visualisation-tool/?roof-type=tile

oskee is right about two much concrete it would be good to soften the boundry between you and the right hand neighbour

Keep the brick fence it appears to be in very good condition and there's a lot of it, it could be painted/ rendered and planting a murraya hedge inside the boundary could add height instead of paying for a new fence or adding additional height with timber etc

Remove the umbrella tree these are said to have bad root systems and can undermine foundations, also take out the other tree.

The aircons should at least be lowered until just off the ground and paint the ducting the same colour as the wall and down pipes.

Pergola's add interest to a plain building, some new paving for the front entrance would look nice as well, when money allowing pave the driveway that you keep. I did see two drive ways paved with bricks (not red) in a herring bone pattern which would have been laid on concrete as they were really solid , great look good luck

Oops just noticed that aircon's are going and fence to be painted etc, sorry, we have an 80"s house which we love, to save a whole lot of money you can just paint the existing windows and if there's a particular room that you would like a larger window or door go for it, you can buy these second hand doesn't matter what colour as you can paint to match existing windows, save a lot of money.

To give your property a bit of wow, bag and paint all brick fences & gates. Don't paint house it's original 80's.

Concrete drive way updated, perhaps with the new pebble crete, in either grey or a cream tone, pave the front entrance.

Neighbours boundary fence, it looks like there might already be a narrow garden bed along that boundary, bag it the same as other bricks, paint the white fence above in one of your charcoal shades and then plant in front, with either creepers or suitable plants to soften the wall.

Add pergola style carport off from the front entrance for interest and outdoor cover., looking forward to seeing what you do.

I think your concerns are valid. Too much red. The roof does not look original to me, it looks painted already. If it is in good condition (pointing is all good, no broken tiles, no leaks)- it would be a straight pressure wash to clean, then a repaint. Perhaps get a couple prices? Late 70's, early 80's- this roof could of originally been brown, charcoal, green or even blue! I'm personally not a fan of 'adding' maintenance, so would avoid rendering, bagging or painting any of the brick (house or fence).

If you have the budget, change the windows. You won't regret it- it will improve aesthetic, functionality and your electricity bills. There is little to any price difference between timber and commercial aluminium. Both would allow for a thicker, more defined frame, vs what you currently have.

As for colours- by losing the commitment to all the red- will open up lots of options. Just depends on the look you want to achieve.

PS- can't believe an air con installer would put those units there!!...when they could of gone around the corners, with conduit coloured appropriately and along the top of the fascia- you'd barely see them!...so dodgey!