Hello You have a challenge!! Will you also have the pavers pressure cleaned when the render happens? What colour will the render be? I think you have some magnolias growing there at the front. Could they be extended across the entire front to create a hedge for the patio. The single high window is awkward, isn't it? Make it a feature by using two laser cut screens. Place them horizontally - one across the window and the other immediately below. This will allow light into the room and also create a point of interest for the front door. Use your lovely terra cotta pot in front of the screens and add another magnolia. To the left of the front door have a long, lean green wall of living plants - maybe succulents. Complete - do no more!! Cheers

this is the classic issue with rendering - it needs to be strategically used.....it's a fine line between going too far and then having to put back aspects of what has been lost, which in this case is texture and the horizontal element of brickwork that helps to keeps the facade proportions of these era residences (more) balanced.......now you have to add aspects back in to get that balance back.......it probably would have been better to have taken the brickwork out from above the windows and finished with the dark element insert like the detail you have over the entry further back - then you would have had some architectural consistency and expression of the form.......there's art to understanding what to do and what not to do in these situations which is why we bang on about the importance of seeking professional assistance with these decisions, because it's always cheaper to talk about it all beforehand, rather than try and fix problems that could have been avoided or arguably managed differently/better...... I'd agree that potentially a pergola structure would help bring in some lighter/softer/textural aspect to the frontage, and paint it dark to match the trim/barges - or even some external venetian awnings to the windows - we've sometimes introduces sections of batten cladding or screenings to counter & balance expanses of blandness......one way or the other there's not a cheap way out so perhaps think about what will provide some practical benefit as well so you're getting bang for buck/2 for 1 & not just tarting up to fix aesthetic issues Good Luck! PD :)

JE C, we are replacing the 2 big windows in the bedrooms in the next month or so, but the 2 smaller ones are the in bathroom. The windows are not my style, but the bathroom is ok so we won’t be remodelling as early as we will be doing the bedrooms. And it’s a good question about going modern vs retaining the existing style. I don’t want to completely lose the uniqueness of the property, but it’s just not very appealing from the roadside, so I can’t help but think we need to radically change and therefore modernise it. The brown slated area has a slab and is about 5 - 6 metres wide and currently houses the rubbish bins! We have considered building another carport there as we can’t use the garage on the other side of the house (it’s too narrow)

I would keep the weeping fig, maybe trim it a little, it’s lovely, and gives a lush look, I have one planted, haven’t found it invasive as it’s well watered, remove all small plants and put them into gorgeous planters, you could add outdoor seating (pillows can be removed on the rainy days) screens to cover fence as dreamer suggested, could be metal or timber or simple blue board painted in a colour that suits your style, could be a lovely space, and a beautiful outlook.