Sounds like you have a lot of white in your home! Do you have any interior/exterior images of the spaces in mind? It may be easier to get feedback if we know what we're commenting on. Sometimes a picture tells a thousand words!

Yes Daniel, a few people have said that but it would mean replacing the painted cedar on all three gables and would also require a lot more maintenance so we have decided to go for paint. It was originally stained brown, then became cream and soon will become mule with ironstone trim unless we change our minds again. We think we might get professionals to paint it as I’ve read 70 year olds should not climb ladders and roofs. It’s tempting to paint the front ourselves (with the possibility of falling off the balcony!!!) but the sides are two storeys high.

If you have a sample of it then Dulux can match it with a "Snapshot" digital colour analyser at one of the Dulux Trade centres. It matches any paint sample to the three closest standard paints. If you don't have a sample of it, and have only seen images of it on the internet then you are better off selecting one of the Dulux greys as it is too difficult to match from a digital image as there are too many variables with lighting, cameras and screens. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Is it possible that there are floorboards under the carpet that can be polished? This would be ideal. Otherwise, as much as I love my bedroom floorboards, I think you should stick with carpet. You’ll never match the hallway exactly so it will always look a bit odd.