I completely love the twirly bits, and the window trim. It's unique, special and shows the family within has a sort of fun spirit. If you would be more comfortable with a cottage that looks more "regular", then take it off. But please don't! For some color and inspiration, google French provencal fabric images. I can completely see a little black metal bistro table and wood slat back chairs on your porch with a cloth of one of those fabrics. I would paint it a light dusky blue, with white trim and mid-charcoal accents around the windows and the corner pieces on the front porch. Although the yellow with the blue would be quite right too! The front walk looks to be in good condition. You can do a stone overlay on that, letting a small portion of the stones hang over the straight edge, to give it a little more rustic look. It looks like you have a good collection of Queen of the Nile lilies (guessing here). Were they blue on blooming? You can create some slightly larger and curving beds in the front, and transplant some within it. I would add lavender and rosemary in a mix with those. For some grey and texture, put some lambs ears (a perennial) along the outside edge. Check your local growing zone to see what will thrive in your area! Lucky you. What a find!

Hi colourgirl3, You have good bones to work with there. I would caution against a dark colour roof - maybe Colorbond Gull grey instead. Often you can get good articulation with dark colours for gutters (charcoal) and lighter colour for fascia boards (Gull grey) and a darker grey for timber posts and features (Dulux 'Asteroid'). Greys will work with your existing face brickwork and window colours. If in doubt go to your local paint centre with a digital pic of the house and see if you can get them to give you some suggestions on their computer program or do it yourself by downloading one from a paint website.

Don't demolish! The house looks like it has good bones and potential. You will just overcapitalise if u do the slate is back in vogue ATM , so if it's not obstructing entrance, leave The kitchen is good, leave as is and add ur own touches bathrooms- they Will Need updating, however, we really Need to see floor plan to look at How ur 'shower cupboard' can be utilised! does the bathroom have a separate bath and shower?and what are the rooms either side of this space? as ur family grows u Will realise How Space and Storage is a major necessity! Could this space be used to open up bathroom and have a large double shower? Or a walk in linen? Linen cupboard not far from bath is Always handy or walk in robe to an adjacent room? now people are recommending upgrading the driveway? but as a whole, the landscaping is the Main point! this doesn't mean u have to rip the whole thing out and start again, though There's a lot of products out there these days that can be used to recoat bricks, cement.. Etc.. So do ur research on costs of upgrading what u have before investing in anything expensive! gardens? Now a good Pest controller will tell u to Never build ur garden bed up against the house. This is due to moisture, which can over time affect the house.. And because of termites. You may be in a lower risk area but they're pretty much always around. So always leave about a metre of cement etc between house and garden, to be safe! Now, most importantly- any home renovator will tell you to actually Live in the house for about a year( to see all seasons) to see how the house functions. Note sun/ shade / light/ heating/cooling etc and it's impact upon the house's current aspect, comfort and presentation. This Will help with colour shades u want to choose and where u will need to add windows for light or awnings, solar panels etc. It will also help with the landscaping, for choosing plants and watering types, levels required to maintain them! hope all that helps somewhat?? best of luck!

There is an inherent charm to timber-framed windows due to the proportions of the frame. There are lots of different styles of aluminium windows, but most of them do not have the same proportions - they usually have a much thinner frame, and often look cheap and flimsy. The other problem with most aluminium windows is that they conduct heat and cold which usually negates the benefits of double glazing. If you are firm about going with aluminium windows then consider thermally broken window frames, which have better proportions and don't transfer the heat or cold through the frames. They don't look cheap, as they are not! Also check out the hybrid windows which are powder-coated aluminium on the outside and timber on the inside. https://www.miglas.com.au/aliclad If budget is an issue and it doesn't stretch to thermally-broken aluminium of hybrid timber/aluminium windows then go with timber for the warmth and character. Never go with cheap, flimsy looking aluminium frames when trying to be consistent with a period home. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls