We chose Monument Tiles and Guttering with "Surfmist" Fascias and Eaves (varying strength of paint). The Pillars at front were rendered and also "Surfmist" (1/2 strength). The Garage door also Monument - focus is drawn to Pillars and Timber Beam (our home very similar to yours). If you visit the Builders showroom they can usually make these changes on computer so you can see visual of how home would look with colour choices! We have Surfmist aluminium window frames and at front of house White Plantation Shutters. Admittedly we have charcoal colored Bricks but house looks Crisp and Clean it "Pops" as they say. We installed 20 Solar Panels ( no Battery) and Electricity is going into Grid! Dearest bill was $14 and one bill we received $1.92 CREDIT). The panels are on the side of house and cannot be seen from street. Well worth the outlay! I have heated floors in bathrooms and ducted air conditioning and so far we haven't lost power when they were working in street and had cut power to houses!!

Firstly, where are you located? Monument is one of the darkest colours. Darker roof colours will have lower heat transfer properties. In other words, very hot in Summer. If this isn’t a problem, have you considered a lighter contrasting colour? If you know what you like - warm or cool tones - you can start to narrow things down from there, putting contrast between your roof and front facade, using trim like windows or guttering and fascia to tie in the roof colour or contrast it.

I'm different . I definitely wouldn't modernise anything . The left side of the picture looks great , really classy , the 2 storey right side is boring ! The bay window could do with being painted or replaced with a white frame colour , but the rest looks great -- especially that 'Bali' front door . So using that as inspiration , the right side I'd also do that window in white , but do 2 fake shutters that as closely match the front door as possible -- carved panels , maybe a circular lion in the middle of each one , the same colour and varnish . I've seen similar designs at ethnic type stores , and no doubt an on-line search would give you some tips and possible sellers . Then , the 'elephant' -- the garage doors . The cheap option -- paint . Maybe a mid orange or yellow ? More expensive but classier and to tie with the front door and shutters -- replace with wooden doors , my preference is wooden slats but the right style of wooden tilt would also work . Stain and varnish the same as the front door/shutters . Ties it all in , looks thought through , the same theme and period . Apart from that , waterblast the path , add a couple of small gardens with a variety of leafy plants , rocks and stones . Nice !

Hi oklouise, thank you also for your excellent ideas. We like the idea of the window seat, but in the first instance we will try removing the existing gable end and exposing the overhanging eaves as you suggested. We saw this sort of thing on some old houses in Orange (NSW) last weekend and really liked it, so it is uncanny that you suggested it. Do you think we could get away with a gable vent to make a bit of a statement, or do you think that might be a bit fussy? Regarding the roof, we are considering Shale Grey as it is light (and therefore will absorb less heat), and it it the Colorbond colour that supposedly most resembles old zincalume. However, we are still trying to work out if this works the best with our brick colour. Again, thank you for your advice !