The charring of wood as a method of preservation is nothing new and was known to European and Mediterranean builders as well as Asians. I have for years charred the bases of deck posts and such as a rot preventative. The practice is mentioned in John Fitchen's classic book Building Construction Before Mechanization. Some of the samples of this shown above are a bit crude. The most beautiful finishes of this type are rather labor intensive as some of the char can be brushed back off to some extent to reveal wood grain. The planter shown below has been coated on the interior with linseed oil, blackjack and turpentine and then set alight with a roofer's torch. The finish is cooked into the wood producing a carbonized insect and decay resistant surface. It gets filled with soil and so the char will be seen only at the edges.

This is the inside of the house. The bottom photo is the inside of that extension. The House is a Yellowy Creamy colour that is very dated and we want to change to a more neutral off white at a later date. I did think that a white or off white for the outside might look a bit too white and washed out with the white Brick. The Brick does have like charcoal flecks through it. So maybe that colour could be good to coordinate with.

The silver will look quite good with your colour scheme. I would probably change some weatherboard for Scyon Axon just to change it up a bit. Also use Scyon Axent for architraves and wall corners. Don't forget eaves and veranda ceilings, etc. as a really nice looking feature use HardieGroove or maybe even some timber to break up the acres of painted surfaces.

Ahh, JEC, I did not realize I was Australia! Very sorry! Yes, I'm in US.(wish I was there sometimes, especially since 11/2016). Anyway, so oklouise tried to help me but I assumed she was here and then I was wondering where she shopped for materials that actual, knowledgeable and experienced advisors! Sorry about that Mrs. Oklouise! I appreciate the help too. It was only a small part of it I didnt quite understand and that's simply because oklouise is not here. I am positive if she was, she'd adapt to the ways and how they do things here. So, come on over mrs oklouise! You're welcome anytime! Siriuskey, yes they "paint" the cedar here, but they use solid color stain so it looks like paint. I am positive though that there are cedar built things with actual paint. But that's really a no-no with cedar. After it gets older, some transition to semi transparent stain, then, when even older they go to solid colored stain. Wish I was a pilot! mpilot1 was made for me by my company years and years ago as their name had the word pilot in it; since they already had a "marc" there when I started, they gave me marcpilot1. They've since closed(after 40 years), since I had had it for so long at that point, I took the name/address with me. Think I should put some of the after pics up, like when I finally finish this project for mother? Thx again for all help, especially oklouise! God Bless.