Thanks jbantick. This is next door (I have just planted a fringed wattle hedge along this fence line) , and next up is a closer shot of the front porch of our place. We are about to replace the verandah tiles with spotted gum decking. It's not that you can see both houses from the street - we're both on battle-axe blocks - it's just that I'd like to go with something different if I can find it and it looks right.

Interesting project there........when you're dealing with extending immediately from an existing building there are usually two ways to go....1. blend/extend seamlessly so that there is essentially no indication of any additions, or 2. separate/distinguish clearly between the old and the new. It's usually reflected somewhat in the floor plan as well. There is also a spectrum within both of those categories on how it can be done and whether its deemed to be done well or not so well. The issue I see with the facade articulation resolution (on your drawings) is that it is arguably neither one nor the other. The window/fenestration articulation is an issue because there's no confident consistency or sequence to the proportions of the new glazing areas. If you want "timeless" then you need to pull it into line with a particular style, either remain faithful to the reference/traditions/scaling/proportions of the original, or if that is either challenging or not providing the functional outcome sought, then consolidate the style/breakup of the extended windows to be visually contrasting yet balanced/controlled against the original. It's a similar story with the materials, it needs to all balance compositionally. Usually the decisions in this area come down to how best to balance also in conjunction with the roof form. And getting to the roof, this is again similar in that it's not ideal to mix & match gable and hip forms unless there's good reason to do so or you feature projecting gables out from a primary hip composition like as in cal bungs. I think you'll find it would be a better outcome to confidently work with one or the other here. In this case the existing primary reference is the gable form and this could be really be made the defining building form feature, but you need to decide upon how you articulate the gable forms - it's like there needs to be a clever/clear approach/language developed with some contemporary material to express the garage gable full height so it reads as the single material, rather than being broken up with the garage door and the gable infill - if it was a hidden door and the form finished more consistently the whole thing would look classier, professional and more elegant. There is super potential here to get this right and look amazing. I think the layout is all OK but some harder work is required/deserved on the facade, street presentation and form resolution, which obviously you are aware about since you've asked the question......possibly here, less in more ;) PD

There are so many things to consider, for example the orientation of the house is it a North facing yard which will attract lots of natural sunlight, where South facing is shaded and colours will appear deeper / darker. What colour are the gutters and fascias and roof? Aluminium windows are these pearl white? As you probably know there are many shades of white, that have very different undertones, some throw red, blue or yellow. From the samples you have painted you appear to be drawn to a "greige" combination of grey and beige a smart colour for todays exteriors so certainly on trend. A lovely greige I have just recommend for a client is a Deluxe colour called Calf skin, paired with natural white trims and a grey pebble large garage roller door has come up beautifully. If you are in Sydney happy to assist with a colour consultation. Worth the money

Photos would help