Mission Brown should be expunged from all colour cards... it's a colour that kills. However there are some great browns out there (not that I would suggest any of them for this particular, low-ceilinged property. A good solid white (not pink- or yellow-based) all over and then stand back and work out where to take it next. Do you want to introduce colour in trims? Or just rely on the colour from rugs, furniture, cushions, paintings etc – you can make the most unlikely places sing.

Are they structural or decorative? If not structural it could be time to remove them and replaster a more contemporary ceiling. Or you could clad them in a gorgeous recycled timber to give them a more organic solid look. Easiest way would be to continue the charcoal paint to the beams... but lighten the feature wall to a complimentary steely gray. Some chunky timber shelves either side of the stonework with books, ornaments and lighter pictures with a pop of colour will soften it.

I like the classic Pettit and Sevitt look too, and suggestions for railings. The townhouse complex we've just moved back into is of the same era, and all painting and roofs has been mission brown (not bricks, they're to remain as is - just garage doors, guttering etc). But we've agreed on a range of colour schemes for all re-painting, which use the colorbond colours in the green-brown tones and so far, some of the lighter browns and eucalypt green look just great. So, trust your taste and if you want to change, do so - a lighter colour can lift the house without much other change.

Roof-tiles -- surfmist or similar light almost bluey-silver . Gutters -- charcoal ( I'd almost go a metallic look charcoal ) The upstairs windows on the left look wooden framed -- maybe an illusion ? Personally , no matter what they are , I'd like to do all window frames in a charcoal , but the narrower looking frames would be difficult , so maybe do the window sills in a charcoal -- prep well being brick , but it will sort of underline the windows , and go horizontal to reference the gutters . The veranda rails and columns carry on that charcoal theme , and the tiles look like they might be a surfmist friendly tone , so you have another 'tie-in' already done . The garage door may work as it is , it looks lighter than a charcoal and even though it has a bit of a brown tone , I suspect it would work , but in the photo , the beam along the top of the door looks full mission brown -- change that . Charcoal may be too dark , surfmist too light , maybe try and match the door ? Charcoal on the letterbox but with big chrome or stainless numbers , or crisp white . A 1.5mtr tall leafy shrub in the garden , between the 2 downstairs windows , nothing too much wrong with the bricks , but just to add some interest and variety to the garden , and there you go , pretty much done . A more modern look , with the only big $$$ being the roof , which you were going to do anyway .