thanks Denita for fixing the pics! Can you see the green boards which I think is a recent colour and the cream doors, red fascia, brown downpipes , it just looks a bit all over the place and I was wondering about a dark grey/blue charcoal paint on all exterior timber /gutters/ pipes/doors. there is a fair bit of the green board on other parts of the house - which hasn't been photographed . what do you think, I'm very open to advice!

We have black tiles in our house because we like black. We also have wooden floors. The kitchen is birch with laminate black granite bench tops. Our open plan works perfectly with the different floors because we have stayed with timber and black. Howver I love colour so we have incorporated red dining chairs and mustard and black cushions and rug in our family room. Timber look floor tiles are a great option, realistic and easy to clean. For you, the most important thing is to decide what you really want and go for it.

I mean WOW Joanne, what a view! I think no-one will be worried about the board direction, honestly, their eyes will be feasting on the horizon!! Obviously this is your personal decision at the end of the day, and the more I look at this design dilemma the more I think both options would work. However I would keep the boards the same dimension throughout. Imagine entering at the front door and moving down the corridor space into the living room - you want a seamless flow as the eyes look towards the outside, and once in the room you won't mind at all the direction of the boards. I assume you are selecting a tile for the alfresco terrace - just match the direction of the boards and you can't go wrong! The link below is from the TonguenGroove website, showing a project with a corner aspect to a water-facing deck with fully glazed doors - so both conditions! They both work, right?! The main orientation IS long boards parallel to the water though.....also attached a photo of a Nicholas Murray project from Mafi website with short boards across the hall......looks good.... Good Luck! ..http://www.tonguengrooveflooring.com.au/projects/ventnor-beach-house/.

Hey Rebecca, Hope this quick little design I did for the exterior of your home can help with some colour ideas. having black in your brick I chose to use the greys on the outside and whites to add some pop to the exterior. Timber panelling for the top half to match the posts.