@ jmm1837....I think you are very courageous answering this exceedingly difficult question! The answer above is probably something like I would say. I've been an artist for many, many years but not famous, not well known although I've sold many works and can turn my hand to any style, my preference for my own interest is "in the style of Turner" I've written a book on Colour Mixing for artists which is a teaching text. I'd say that there are not many questions I cannot answer about Colour....with the exception of these kinds of questions....to which, in my opiion, I concur with you, there is no one answer. I often thank my lucky stars that I live in a 1900s timber home that resembles a log cabin inside....Queensland Hoop Pine VJ ceilings, walls and floors, silky oak arctic glass casements, Hoop Pine or Silky Oak doors...and the only colour is the furnishings...and I can't even decide on these! So - to ask me "What Colour" to paint the walls of a house for sale really jangles my brain! I've never had to resolve that dilemma here...I'm not going to paint it...ever! So how to assist in this dilemma? As you explained, jmm1837, older character home -use some colour, newer home with clean lines - light neutrals...so far I agree. BUT...I was watching one of those TV home reno shows...A couple who could not agree on any colour for anything and a designer ,( bless her persevering, understanding, patient, kind, and dog-with-a-bone determination) trying to help them do a reno. I was suddenly inspired ! I had encountered once a colour that contained all colours, that would 'go with' all colours but yet could be described as Lilac but wasn't...and Neutral but wasn't. Thinking "lilac" I think of demure, age appropriate attire and lace...so not very decorator inspiring. The particular LILAC they used for skirting boards, trim and door jams alike worked like magic! I can see readers screwing up their noses and almost hear others saying ERK...That was my reaction when the word Lilac was mentioned.... I did not take any notice what the brand was, I was too astounded by the finished effect. It wasn't Lilac, it wasn't grey...it was a colour but it was a neutral ....and it reflected a different shade depending on its position in the room and its proximity to soft furnishings. So....what's my solution? With both styles of home...think neutral with a tendency to the palest, palest of violetey greys maybe complemented with a drop of ochre ever so subtle...So a neutral to the eye but a colour depending on its position in the house, and keep it all the same, no accents...I believe the light and adjacent furnishings will work with such a hue. Colour is Magic. I'm convinced more than ever that it can morph into any hue. Just some thoughtful reflections from a colour fanatic.

Hi Phillipa I would sand a section and see the true colour underneath and then decide based on the overall condition. If sanding them doesn't lighten them up enough you could also bleach them. Cheers

Hi again Kate, Thanks. The 'white' in the kitchen tiles is actually a cream colour. Photos don't always reveal the true colour. But I like your idea. I think I'll keep the same colours in the kitchen as they work well; they just need a refresh. I do love white, and I'm still inclined to go with white in the other rooms, with perhaps a cool or warm undertone on the walls and a lighter white for ceilings. On the elements at home site, http://elementsathome.com.au/2013/02/12/how-to-choose-your-white-paint/site it talks about and shows the difference between cool whites (slight blue/grey undertone) and warm whites (red, yellow undertones). I think I'm leaning towards cool whites as the lounge, dining and bedrooms have good size windows so a fair amount of natural light. I have a lot of bright art and pottery on display in all rooms so I think this would add colour in the rooms against the whiteness. Thoughts?

The back of the house you've nailed it -- all windows in the charcoal . Do the pergoda in a similar stain , and it's done . The front though -- you say the roof is Manor Red -- it looks like a fading brown to me ? Might be the photo , but I would go redder there -- it looks in that picture that it will need doing soon ? The one area I would concentrate on though is that gable ! I'd do all the upright boards and the surrounding boards in a really crisp white , and leave the infill in primrose or beige . Subtle but it will lift it . You then have the option of leaving the windows as they are , or going all black / charcoal / monument -- the latter would look more modern , but i don't think that would be the best look for the house -- I'd leave them as they are and embrace the period .