That sounds like a good idea bigreader. The frame is a bronze with a greenish tone and painting the bit between the windows the same colour would make the window look more cohesive. I also want to repaint the concrete verandah that runs around the house (semi-rural with water tanks underneath so don't want to pave etc). Thinking Berger paving paint Jasper which is a darker tone? Thanks...exterior colours are so difficult. .

Suy When you approach a school project - in fact, any project - you need to think about 'what is the real question here?' What you need to think about is the environment in which the building is to be placed Wind, salt, moisture, strong sun, abrasion from sand all have effect in an ocean area All building materials will weather - it is their nature Perhaps you could use this to your advantage and go 'Wabi Sabi' with your design Best case scenario - minimise damage and choose materials that need minimum maintenance as a boutique hotel will be busy and have minimal staff Enjoy the project and research involved

Cheese Wine, yes sadly brickies aren't cheap, but reverse brick veneer doesn't dictate traditional terracotta brickwork. There are lots of great concrete block products in a variety of finishes that have a great architectural finish for internal walls. Or if you want to go more rustic then consider mudbrick options. As with many homes built for good thermal mass there is sometimes a tension between wanting thermal mass, but not wanting to see it. Hiding thermal mass adds to the cost, so you have lots of elements to balance in the cost versus energy efficiency versus aesthetics equation. If anybody figures a way to build thermal mass into a home cheaper than masonry, that looks great and performs well then be sure to let me know... Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi 1991_kid, though this image may be a render, the stone tops do represent an actual material. You may like to look at the Natural Stone type called Quartzite. Quartzite comes in smaller slab sized that Granite and Man Made Quartz Reconstituted stone slabs and it is very hard (unlike marble) and comes in a variety of different colours. Quartzite stone slabs do come in various types of Grey and does come in a type that has a formation which looks similar to your image. Perhaps something like the Atlantic Stone Quartzite or the Taj Mahal Quartzite or the Grey Cristallo Extra Quartzite. Hope this is of help, Malcolm