Hi Sarah I absolutely think what you have suggested is perfect. I love Paperbark for the mouldings and the double strength for render. The brick you chose is awesome. I think you've got it sorted. How exciting! All the best. Regards Lisa PS. I love the elevation.

Hi Michelle, We finished our renos 18 months ago and still love everything about our colour scheme. Similar roof colour and teamed it with Duck White as it dosent throw to yellows or pinks. We had to comply to 6 star energy ratings as we added on so chose aluminum coloured double glazed windows in the hopper style as all our wind comes to the front of the house. I find the dark roof seems to hug the whole house and makes it very welcoming we have teamed with matching fences and given it a pop with wood and native grasses and magnolias. Good luck.

Is the pic of the house attached to this discussion exterior rendered in Taubmans pebble bay?

Plaster damage like yours is most often caused by insufficient or damaged / bridges damp proof course around the perimeter of the external walls.Damp is wicking up the walls. The damp proof course can be a slate layer placed between the lower brick courses in older homes , or more common ( and better ) , a strip of thick black plastic placed between the lower brick courses to stop the damp from entering the wall. The damp mortar is is raked out and the plastic inserted a section at a time , and the brick joint is re - pointed with fresh new mortar. No simple/quick fix I`m afraid.