Actually, the BEST appeal is the simplicity of the original design-always; Most times, when we try to 'modernize' or upgrade facades, owners tend to lose the original architectural intent & simplicity. ESPECIALLY if listening to people with NO Architectural knowledge or expertise; As a professional, registered Architect and specialist heritage architect, I can expertly advise you so. Honestly, the original architectural intent (even if there was no architect involved)-is quite appealing. Simple rustic face brick with dark timbers and its a warm effect. I cant see anything too wrong here. Maybe just needs a wash & clean and painted sections touched-up, roof tiles painted/cleaned. ALWAYS TRY to keep the original architectural character; I hope you don't add rubbish to the design unless match it with same materials, angles, forms & theme-. Always trust a registered architect-no one else. :) Ibrahim (Australia)

Good morning,

It's worth checking the planning history of this property with your local council, as well as any limitations or design constraints in terms of development. Blocking up too much of the ground floor windows may not be desirable, but this depends on what you want to do with the internal rooms and how they are laid out.

We're in agreement that making alterations to a house and keeping the existing materials is beneficial in retaining the buildings character, however looking at the adjacent properties, it might be worth considering rendering white. This will help set the building within the street scene and therefore not appearing in isolation and looking out-dated.

Lots of options to explore here. As mentioned by the two comments above, it's worth having a look for some local architects to sketch some initial ideas.

Yeah a render will certainly make consistent with immediate streetscape but I personally would be saddened as this will change the original intent.

Thanks everyone for comments. The comment regarding the disproportionate glazing on the ground floor vs the first floor resonates with me. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was that was niggling me and that’s it. The garage conversion would originally have had timber doors and without the porch it would have been more balanced.

I think we will seek some advice from a local architect about modifiying the porch area so that the bay window isn’t incorporated into the porch anymore and see if we can get a design which is in keeping with the original design using same bricks etc. Just less glass.

^yea true; match with flat arches