We rendered our 80's home, and painted the roof colorbond Shale Grey. Out of all our reno work we have done I think the rendering had the most impact. If you like the wall colour I can go back through my files. Colorbond have a great websit check it out. you are going to be amazed when your job is complete

Hi, we are extending upstairs over a older red brick home. we have Ironstone windows, gutters, roof. We are going to render the extension but don't want to go lighter like a Dune colour but more of a medium grey. We will be replacing our posts and garage door with timber (also have a timber gate) so I feel like we can get away with a darker grey upstairs render. Do you know a good medium grey that goes well with Ironstone? Initially I was thinking Simone Weil and maybe even Guild Grey if it's not too dark?

Restore the facade. Don't render as you'll loose the fabulous brickwork. Just re-point it. Do maintenance on the roof as needed. I'd pressure clean then see what it comes up like. If it's still a bit ordinary then paint it. I would do a bit of investigating on other original colour schemes before choosing charcoal, even though I admit the charcoal does look really good! By the way we render as we don't want to pay brickies to really use their craft so we buy cheap bricks and render. Render does look fine when used as a feature rather than a whole facade. Don't compete with neighbours make your house more desirable by keeping its character. I would however consider spending some good money on the landscaping. There are some superb gardens on these wonderful homes around the inner suburbs of Melbourne for example and would work great with yours.

I think the existing colour is about right for the house . Go too much lighter and it starts to get the same as the doors , so you don't achieve anything . Go more mushroom and it wouldn't look right for the style of house , grey is just grey and done to death , and to add a blue tinge or similar would make it look older IMO . An English Cream or similar might look smart and modern , and a bit less yellow than the existing shade -- that's the range I'd look at IF it needs doing . Doing the door alcove in charcoal will add some interest , but it will also darken it , so I'd be reluctant , and I'd keep away from brown tones , or blues or reds or anything else . Both Kate and I have suggested a wooden garage door , and I suggested changing the entrance door to match . If you go charcoal , a wooden door wouldn't achieve much , while the existing white doors could look 'cheap' . In other words , my personal preference would be keep the existing colour , and change the garage and entrance door . They will fade and weather too , referencing the beach location . Add 2 or 3 bright warm coloured pots with cacti and similar beach plants and you have a subtle beach look .