totally agree and would not like to any of the above lollie pop colours, Using White & black trims is classic and ageless and works beautifully with the bricks and terracotta roof. The brief is to keep the budget in mind, and I agree with not rendering or painting the brick especially just the front. Other than what is already planned, I'd concentrate on painting windows and trims and as mentioned replacing the gutters and down pipes, making over the driveway and clean up and plant the garden. Something that might make the house look a bit more up to date is how the carport is filled, will the wall facing the street be board that's rendered , timber, cut metal sheets or 50's concrete blocks painted or not. When you used to fly into Sydney it was a sea of red roofs now they're all monument and the walls similar. cheers

In my early twenties I designed kitchens for my mother and two aunts (Uncle built them and they worked), but when it came to designing my own - had to fit a constrained space and no possibility of extension - I chewed my lips for ages - like Nicole, I drew and measured ad infinitum, and used graph book walls, views etc. I did one extra thing - which I think worked - I listed all that I wanted to store, and tried to analyse how I liked working in the kitchen. Some things I had to settle for because of space (such as a smaller dishwasher) but most of it has worked. We have a corner pantry, which I (and the cat, husband a bit larger) can walk into, but have not put small appliances in there - they sit in a large drawer beneath the main working bench, which also works well. It all looks good to me Nicole and thinking carefully about needs and how things work in advance usually results in something you'll be happy with. Good luck!

Hi Luke, these photos are of vertical gardens using artificial plants, pretty amazing what is available now, I am a gardener and love the real thing but these are incredibly real looking and give instant impact, it all depends on the time and maintenance that you have available to put into caring for the wall, once let go they can deteriorate very quickly

Sorry for the delay in advising you of where to purchase the fittings. I tend to purchase fittings for clients within a project. But, The top one can be purchased from Beacon Lighting and is on special for $96.75 each. The middle fitting is from Emac & Lawton and the last one must have vanished from production, as I haven't been able to find it again. I have included a fitting from Mondo Luce below, called Dora Emac & Lawton have a new fitting as well - Amstel: