We're building too this year and our exterior colours are light & dark grey... couldn't afford the timber cladding :( ... and we are having black alum windows, so I say go for black! :) Black windows suit most facades, from the contemporary to the more traditional... Plus what's your alternative, the alum silver? That would look even more blend against the grey exterior colours... whereas black will make the windows a stand out feature of the house... If you're concerned the facade may look a bit drab and if you're game enough, then be bold with a pop of colour in the front entry door... Internally, the black windows (against white/light walls?) will frame the outdoors looking almost like a picture... And no, you are not stuck with a monochrome look inside... you can easily introduce timber (floors, furniture, etc) to create warmth, or any colour you want as black goes with everything... Good luck :)

I prefer white as if you get sick of grey cladding in10 years you might be able to paint it another colour. Both are nice it is a matter of taste.

Hi Filfy, some great ideas from everyone, mine will probably be quite similar. Firstly, depends how much you want to spend and what look you are after, modernise or modern? Anyway, here are some of my ideas. Take out the Yuccas from front area - they really close in the house there and make it look depressing, replant them, maybe along the front side of house. Repaint the brown timber cladding to something like, Dulux Malay grey or similar. Repaint the Fascias in same Dulux colour as well as the triangular piece on the roof. Take out lattice, do not replace - old and tacky now, very popular years ago though : ) Extend deck along front of house and also bring it forward(if you have the cash), stairs to come forwards (straight out) to meet with path. Decks make a big difference to a house and re-sale IMO. New railing in... Timber posts near Yucca's, are these painted or oiled and stained? See if you could sand these back (I hate sanding-takes time) and stain and oil them, possibly teak? You could re-paint them in Malay grey but stain and oil would make the property look more expensive. Or if you want to render, just do the front of the house and say a metre coming around the side of the house from the front. Could use a grey on the render, paint the slats either a light colour (something that goes with the brick and grey, close to white) or a very dark colour like domino….. Hope this helps.. : )) Below is a link to a big renovation I just finished on the Gold Coast. (Signed M) http://www.kwikclicks.com.au/viewproperty.php?id=3045 Michelle..

Thanks for your insight, yes I'd looked at Surfmist as well, clients seem quite pro grey so trying to subtly work their likes into the scheme as well, as I think they woule like a grey house however I think the monochrome black / white is classic and will endure the test of time longer than some shades of grey, also if they were opting for white windows may be more inclined to look at grey for the house colour however feel that the black windows will work nicer with the lexicon and tie in the black elements. Welcome all feedback