I agree with Catherine. I see more effort put into the design of a study/home office area than ever before. If my clients don't have the extra room to create a working space then we look at how they can incorporate a workspace into their living areas. I'm also finding that a lot of people don't have the time or expense to keep updating their interiors but instead are looking for timeless designs when it comes to furniture and kitchen/bathrooms. A space can be updated with accessories and art. Another trend I have seen is for more people to put more of themselves into their home design. I have seen so many homes that look exactly like showrooms or display houses (which some of them I can say are stunning but they all look the same) - however my Clients have said "well the designer told me this is what is on trend and that this is what homes look like'. And my Clients don't even like the end result! They just go with it because. People want their homes to stand out from their friends and neighbours and this can only be done with using the Clients personality tastefully.

A few people have asked for the colours I used on my house. I used the Resene colour range. *Weather boards - Ash *Battens - Triple Ash *Trims, window frames and vertical rails on stairs and deck- Alabaster *Top Hand rails and accents (pretty much anything that was red) - Half Nocturnal *Stair treads - Alabaster in centre, Ash on sides *Stringers on stairs - Ash Hope this helps :)

Woodland Grey is great colour because it is so versatile. Woodland on roof and roller doors and a new balustrade. Just the standard metal balustrade with the vertical balusters with a hardwood top rail will look fantastic. Bricks are still quite good and they still make similar colours so surprisingly classic. Dutch gables are still being done so all good there too. The gutters and facias could be surfmist or shale grey. Landscaping is equally important as anything else, probably more important in many cases as Timandra has noted, tree's do insulate! They also reduce frosts by creating micro climates! Therefore put as much emphasis on landscaping as this will make this great looking house really something special.

Dear Creatively Challenged , I can recommend Dulux Colour Consultants, I gave up after about 5 sample pots . At the time it cost me $150 and if I used dulux paints I could claim a full refund . That was 12 years ago . I didn’t realise at the time just how good they were , the colours are still in fashion but it’s ready for another paint job for sure. It was such a relief to have someone in who is trained and fully understands colours and fashion and what goes with what . I finally stopped stressing about it and got the job done ✅