Hi colourgirl3, You have good bones to work with there. I would caution against a dark colour roof - maybe Colorbond Gull grey instead. Often you can get good articulation with dark colours for gutters (charcoal) and lighter colour for fascia boards (Gull grey) and a darker grey for timber posts and features (Dulux 'Asteroid'). Greys will work with your existing face brickwork and window colours. If in doubt go to your local paint centre with a digital pic of the house and see if you can get them to give you some suggestions on their computer program or do it yourself by downloading one from a paint website.

1. Paint over bricks, either in a light grey (white-wash) colour or a mid grey/blue-grey... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/resort-inspiration-tropical-exterior-perth-phvw-vp~4028776 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/bilgola-house-contemporary-exterior-sydney-phvw-vp~12387394 2. Paint the cladding/paneling on the side in a colour opposite to the one chosen in 1. above... https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/decarle-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535555 or https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/marbel-st-contemporary-patio-melbourne-phvw-vp~1520623 3. Reseal the roof tiles in a darker grey-blue or bluestone/slate colour, similar to this, but match the garage door colour to the roof colour (i.e. not that timber look) https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/ethel-st-oak-park-contemporary-exterior-melbourne-phvw-vp~6535879

I am afraid I have to disagree with Kelli Ford about using white on this exterior as it will be too contrasting. The paneling above the windows would have been stained to show the timber grain, but clear staining never weathers well, so you may want to consider painting it. I would actually go darker and get a sample pot of a Dulux colour called "Luck" which could be described as a warm black/charcoal, with a subtle dark brown undertone, being a perfect complement to your beautiful bricks. By the way I think your house has a more 1970's feel than a 1980's feel. Best of luck Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

I reckon that going dark will make it slightly more modern , but lets talk about the elephants -- the roof will still be brown so that is always going to show what era it is ; the garage door is always going to be bland unless you go red , yellow or orange , but then that will reinforce the era of the bricks and roof , and I don't want to be too insensitive , but what is that front appartatus ? It may be for a wheelchair , but it doesn't look like it drops ; it looks to be a different era again and similar to say steel stockyards . Painted the same as your trim etc will soften and tie in the look , but if it isn't neccessary , I'd look at removing it , or somehow 'hide' it . And I guess I'd also add that the red oxide coloursteel fence doesn't help either , its a bit less of a worry but still an issue IMO . Personally , I'd go lighter -- all the trim in surfmist or similar ( an offwhite with a blue tinge ) , and if leaving that front apparatus , paint it the same and plant some 1 metre or taller evergreens around it . BUT so that it isn't 'just' brown and white , I'd ideally change the garage door and entrance door to maybe a red cedar ( both with surfmist 'surrounds' ) , or paint the two doors in charcoal or similar ( monument etc ) , again with the lighter surrounds , if budget is tight . And the fence -- ideally , change it , but even painted monument will help quite a bit . IF you do go dark , then what about a bluey/black Japanese black -- just paint everything , including the 'cattleyard' ? The entrance door looks to be wood , so if going dark , you could paint/stain it ( and the sidelight windows etc ) the Japanese Black -- the garage door personally I'd change to wood or even a fake woodgrain panelled door , again in Japanese Black . With that , I guess the fence you'd go a mid charoal -- sort of greyer lighter tones than monument , but you don't want lighter fences for several reasons , both looks and practicality wide . The other option I guess , if you are brave , would be to not only embrace the era , but even go back a bit , and do everything but the brick in apricot or even mint -- personally I wouldn't do buttery yellow or blues or even sherwood green , but basically add a pastel fun tone that will work with the brick and roof , but doesn't look like a bumble bee haha .