I think it has the potential to look fabulous or look really tacky. It would depend on the house you use it in. I think having the height helps create that light airy feel... I have seen it used to enclose an external staircase and it looked wonderful, it created a feature of this lovely lightbox on the back of the house. I think used as a feature in a modern build it can really look good.

I really can't stand the word mindfullness. It's like wellbeing - just combining two words to make a new one feels so clunky. How about being conscious, aware, present, in the moment. I voted for #3, as i appreciate fresh air and natural light more than silence or seclusion. I dont have a space like this at the moment, but maybe a stool in my courtyard could do the trick. Thanks for the inspiration!

Hi Claire, I don't think you are looking to change your whole house, but thinking about wanting a Hamptons inspired outdoor area, think white black beige and natural timber colours. You could paint the bricks white or black and possibly paint your doors and windows the either of the same colours, some inspiration photos for you ( your pebblecrete colour will blend perfectly. cheers

As someone who bought a brick house recently, a major reason for the decision was the low maintenance of unpainted brick. So, no, don't paint the brick! The facade above the brick looks heavy and dominating because it is so bright white and all one colour. Why not go for a more retro look, break up the solidity of the overhanging facade by painting the vertical trims a different colour? Pick a colour that compliments the brick and keep in mind that colours were more adventurous in the 70s. Embrace the fun of the beach and the retro look without going overboard. Leave the brick as is, paint window trims to contrast and catch the light., maybe add shutters in the same colour to make windows look bigger and add more to catch the eye under the eaves. And paint the front door a fun, bright colour. Citrus colours catch the light and pop, but check they don't clash with the colour of the brick. You need contrast and brightness. Our blonde brick house was built in 1960. We painted the front door, the awning over our sliding doors and our garage door all the same colour: bright citrus orange (the garage door has 2 horizontal white stripes). The result was an instant uplift. We then had the roof restored and painted a terracotta colour (concrete tiles) and cleaned the eaves. The house looks fresh as a daisy and so much more attractive. The paint cost about $100, and the roof cost $6000. Money well spent! Then we worked on the gardens. We took out tall plants close to the house and replanted the gardens with more attractive flowering plants, going for colour. It all looks much more inviting now.