For the car port I would keep it simple and open. Use a skillion colorbond roof attached to the house and timber support posts. Do you want to continue with the Tuscan theme? If so I think either go a whitish colour or a darker charcoal colour for the windows and doors. If you intend to paint the exterior walls then you open a whole other world! The front fence would look amazing out of sandstone if that is in your budget, otherwise what about a stackable stone finish which you could glue into a Hebel wall?

Hi Siriuskey, They are timber looking tiles - we absolutely love them. We are considering the same for the new place but potentially herringbone/parquetry arrangement. Much more expensive vs. laminate but easier to clean and no concern in relation to water...

Errol, we also have an 80s brick home with similiar window placement. When the budget allows we would like to change the larger of the windows (what would be your existing sliding door in your layout) to french doors to open out to our deck area. We would keep the window in meals area as a window as there is not enough circulation space inside to use a door, even a sliding door. For us, french doors would work best as they can fold back relatively flat against the wall when opened, while bifold doors would stick out too far. We will also replace the old diamond grill screens with crimsafe which aren't as ugly! Why is it that houses in home decorating magazines never have screens? Would love the aesthetics of no screens but in Qld screens are essential. We don't have the issue with lack of light inside that you do (and we love our light-filled open plan space so skylights might be a good investment for you), but the downside is our outdoor area is underutilized as is in full sun most of the day and is uncovered. Could you change your outdoor roof to a vergola system or something more transparent to get more light inside?

I you are changing from stacker to bi fold doors you should ensure that there is a single door included within one of the bi folds, preferably next to the kitchen. I wonder why you are deciding between white or black windows and doors for this room when you already have white elsewhere. What colour are the internal and external walls.