Hi, Just remember the Light Reflective Value (LRV) of a dark colour particularly in Queensland's Summer may cause warping of the lining boards, before painting them strip off the old paint - likely to have been lead based at some stage could be 3 layers deep (easily tested by a test kit from a paint shop) and seal all the holes and gaps with an oil based sealer, then apply the 'filler' - builder's bog etc and paint over, with a good quality acrylic paint - Solagard type exterior paint system. If you don't seal the boards before applying the filler; moisture - condensation will migrate from the back of the board to the face - no sarking to the back of an older weatherboard homes and cause the filler to go 'soft' and blister the face of the board ruining the paint, (4 years as a Trade Paint Rep). As far as asbestos cement sheeting - protocols are in place for its safe removal as any home built prior to 1983 is 'likely' to have asbestos lining materials in the wet areas, laundry, flue pipes, kitchen lino or underlay and probably the meterbox - all the usual suspects. These homes look fantastic when restored properly and I've seen quite a few done 'upside down' with the sleeping areas on the ground floor and entertaining / living rooms on the first floor, that way the rooms below can have all the modern fixtures, finishes and insulation without detracting from the liveability of the upstairs rooms not needing the same level of noise control, or hiding electrical or plumbing lines etc in wall spaces.

as always depends on budget but i'm wondering if a steep gable roof at right angles to the main roof with a raked ceiling and solar roof vents would allow better ventilation with enough headroom for a ceiling fan and adding some panels of transluscent insulated polycarbonate closer to the house would help avoid the overshading ...we've used a diy double layered polycarbonate and there are insulating products available eg Arcpanel and, to improve light inside the house (or under a dark alfresco roof) consider Solar Skylights (not hole in the roof) like Arcol or illume brand that we use with excellent results for a modest investment, DIY installation and no risk of roof leaks

A very rough idea of version 2, please excuse all the hand written changes but it helps to see what else we are thinking of currently. The back half is a plan we have viewed in a display which has the exact same orientation as us and there was light flooding into the main living areas as well as into the master. It allows for a patio/deck off the master also.

Thanks bigreader & potsy99. I agree it is heavy. We pulled the purple/bullring from the brick. The house is very long/horizontal. Potsy99 might be onto something about painting the chamfer boards above the garage, and the timber door being lighter might break that up a bit. I really struggle with the warm pavers and wish the previous owners had done a grey based paver. I feel it would have complemented the brick better. Colours I was entertaining for the roof are: Colorbond: Surfmist, Dune, Paperbark, Evening Haze. As much as I do love Ironstone, I feel a dark colour would a) be too heavy, and b) be too hot. I wonder if Ironstone (which would work/complement the rendered retaining wall) on the garage doors and gutters/facia boards would work, and do the roof a lighter colour - Surfmist/Dune/Paperbark? I just struggle with classic cream. Oh, and my mum lives with me, and she has VERY strong opinions about warm colours, and everyone is entitled to hear them. :/ Again, thanks.....