Hi Amelia Like the fine lines of the house with the right planting and garden it will look stunning There may be a few things you would like to consider; 1. Its difficult to tell from the photos but I would check that the ceiling veranda lining is not asbestos - The jointing strips of the lining looks reminiscent of how they used to join that horrible material. Get a professional asbestos remover in to check and follow their advice in getting rid of the stuff. 2. The roof tiles are dark and will absorb heat, they will most likely brake in a heavy hail storm (unless their are really good 'terra cotta' ones like Wonderlicht) and also can let possum and other vermin in, (possum are notorious for lifting tiles) and if you do not have insulation and sizalation on the roof this is the time to put some in - and in the ceilings should you be missing some there. Because now you will have a zincalume roof it is good to earth your electrical system and the roof so that all current overloads are taken to the ground, a good electrician will solve this problem. Also if the roof is replaced with zincalume you should check your "Holding Down" straps to the roof. Because the roof was designed for a tile roof there is always the possibility that the "holding Down" straps were not included or are sparse. Because you are going to a lighter zincalume roof these are to checked and increased or included if missing, especially as you may be in an open area were winds can pick up considerably. 3. Its good that you have north facing veranda's to shield you from the summer sun, and what appears to be a concrete floor with tiles on the veranda. I would not replace it with timber decking simply because concrete does not burn in a fire - and if you are in the country there is always the possibility of fire. However some large white or of white tiles say 500x350 or thereabouts resemble flagstones could be good as long as they are very light in color and rectangular in shape. Maybe something resembling a very light sandstone may give more to a country ambiance than the small bathroom tiles of the 50's. Also I would bring out a roof over the front steps ending it with a "or gable end" pitched end" and provide a nice handrail in the middle and pave the bottom of the steps and area to provide a solid end to the steps using the same tiles as the veranda. 4. The existing aluminum windows are certainly and eyesore and not energy efficient in the slightest. An investment in new double glazed timber windows (Not cedar as cocky's like to eat the frames) or powder-coated white aluminum double glazed windows with "Thermal Break" - which are highly energy efficient would return money in energy savings and look great, especially if your frames are around 50 mm in width or greater. 5. I would not touch the bricks - just use very light colours in the veranda and the, doors, window and frames veranda posts. The garden will hide the brickwork below the veranda level making the roof and the lighter units the main features to stand out. The darker bricks will recede. Hoping this is of some benefit Regards Michael Manias

With the roof tile colour I suggested off white, but NEVER WHITE as you'd need sunglasses to enter (talk to a roof painting company). It's also a way to minimize heat by reflection, therefore lowering cooling cost and making life more comfortable, plus very aesthetically appealing. Though the down side is more regular semi pressure cleaning. I do like mid to light grey for outside timber decking or tiles under a roof line with this colour combination. For anything else as far as outside in direct sunshine, stay light but in the same hues, it can be too hot to walk on barefooted if remotely mid to dark in colour.

You say this is a 1990's house . Its made to look like a 1930's house at present . To make it look 'modern' would take a lot of work , and IMO destroy the character of the house . Embrace what it is , tidy it and change the focus slightly , but personally I wouldn't take off the scrolls and those little posts , or even the walkway roof . Just my opinion , but if you want modern , you sell what you have and buy a modern place in grey on grey on grey , with charcoal -- there are more than enough unique points on this house that you either embrace it or you sell it .

Someone earlier in this discussion said "embrace the architecture" and I agree. Changing the architecture is expensive, especially squaring off arches. Arches are typically associated with Mediterranean architecture and love or loath em, arches are pushing back into modern day architecture. So go with it by removing the concrete balustrade and build more arches to match those below. Bag and paint the brickwork with a Porters limewash paint to obtain that authentic Mediterranean and uneven look. Consider semi-circular balustrading for that Romeo and Juliet look or better still add semi-circular concrete planter boxes for added privacy. They can then be planted with low growing and trailing plants such as a variegated ivy. The head s of the top arches only can then be topped with a timber batten screen which will soften the facade further and you will have a modern 2023 take on Mediterranean Modern. Keep that going throughout the house to give it a full and complete reno. Think 3D as your home has 4 facades not just 1. I see all too often homes where the owner renovates the street elevation and just paints the rest of the home. It looks as if the home has had a full size photo glued onto the street elevation. Even the fake stone stops at the corner and the whole facade looks as if it will just peel off with the next rain. I've attached an image of a new development near my studio on the Gold Coast which give you an idea. It's not exactly what I have suggested but it does demonstrate the use of arches in a modern architectural setting with the use of timber and trailing plants.