I think this is the perfect tone next to the brick. If you see it near a light colour, in contrast it may appear that way to some, but seeing it complete has a different impression. I think it looks modern and sophisticated. I would continue to complete the porch and reserve an opinion until then. Paint as much of the rendered base also to get the full effect. Regardless it will be painted so it's worth doing, you will be repainting soon anyway. I don't agree lightening th ecolour, it will look wushu washy next to the boldness of the brick. Your rendered brick has so much feature, this grey will accent that. Paint the rest and live with it for your husband to see. Don't stop at that square. Once you've done that, only then reconsider it. Too many people stop when they start, because they're having a reaction to change, an adjustment has to be made visually, and different is not bad. Light is comfortable, but I can't count the many of period homes that professional specifiers apply this too. How many architecturally renovated homes do you see cream? One more colour I will suggest along these lines, but not better, just slightly lighter is murky water. And last case, dune. Get all three, I would bet on your husband liking dune, which proves my theory, but dont settle on the dullest colour. It won't do the facade favors. Rather it will look ho hum. Render flattens the facade, removes character, so I think it more important than before tonuse these tones to effect to compensate the loss of character. First look at it, I smiled, that's it, keep going. Hard to trust me not knowing me, but many have to success. I have been a dulux colour finalist and are recognized for my colour specifying. Please just see it out, then you can make an informed decision, one where you've had time to adjust to a change.

Checkout the colorbond website, it is great for external colours

Hi Michelle, We finished our renos 18 months ago and still love everything about our colour scheme. Similar roof colour and teamed it with Duck White as it dosent throw to yellows or pinks. We had to comply to 6 star energy ratings as we added on so chose aluminum coloured double glazed windows in the hopper style as all our wind comes to the front of the house. I find the dark roof seems to hug the whole house and makes it very welcoming we have teamed with matching fences and given it a pop with wood and native grasses and magnolias. Good luck.

Thank you so much everyone for your great ideas, advice and uploads. I've decided on glass for pool fencing, Dune for render colour, but still undecided about front balustrade and handrails. While I love the idea of stainless steel, I'm still not confident that a modern look will suit the front facade. I keep coming back to the classic look in Lesley's pic but wonder whether white powder coating is the way to go or whether it would be too busy for my facade as I have stairs/handrails to consider. Still pondering over too many choices!