FINALLY after too long, have completed one of the upper cedar wall replacements (& the most needed)... still debating colours. Altho I was set on the cedarshield natural cedar oil product, everyone is pushing paint due to longevity... because we missmatched old with new boards on verandah section, don’t think cedarshield would bring out same colour evenly unless a lot of time trying to ‘clean’ the old boards top layer. SO, back to colours. Thoughts? Light and beachy/modern is attractive but don’t think it’d suit the simple timber cottage look it has had for so long. Thinking dark trim with lighter weatherboards?

White-matte cabinets (flat panel, not shaker) and white bench (or maybe epoxy sealed marine ply??...siriuskey can tell you about that), mirror splash. Love the ceilings. I personally would go for a modern, stream-line, no handles, integrated appliances look. This space has real potential to be very cool, even with the slate. It doesn't need any more more texture or darkness. This is a nice kitchen, you should be able to sell it on ebay.

Yes go monument!and if you go for some lime acacias out the front (tall weeping or the low bush)it would brighten up you whole look.Also adding strappy green plants that bulk up would give it a bit more of a clean look. If you don't want to go monument on roof go a light grey and tie in with a couple of tall light grey planters on either side of your door. Pleas please please!find someone with a jigsaw and cut the tops off your pickets to give a cleaner look before you paint them. I'm stating the obvious but those security screens are pretty overwhelming,can you just have them on windows that can be opened,it might not look so busy out the front.

To Modernise this without rendering or retiling the roof I would probably recommend to go darker with the trims. My top pick as a colour consultant would be Dulux's Domino for the trim. It will be a little bolder and create a more modern contemporary feel. You can see it pictured below as the trim. Obviously this house has painted their bricks in the shade "teahouse" however it will still look much better on your 1980s "peru" colour bricks! Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any more help colour wise!