I detest rendering with a passion. If you go down this path, the whole period of the home will be lost forever. Rendering can be high maintenance after some years and it also affects the breathability of buildings. I assume it's solid brick? So why remove the natural insulation of brick by covering it with a product that is already losing its appeal? And the colour of the brick is beautiful and neutral. I would remove the garden blocking the view of the home. I would have a 1.5 metre hedge at the front with a taller one to hide the neighbours fence. Then consider a tree, off centre in a lawn (deciduous). For a first home and garden, this is simple and will be low maintenance after a few years.

apennameandthata i don't know... vertical is more shed like style, while we still have a colonial style base and veranda. Dust will be an issue here (although its not so bad in that particular spot on a river, good protection from trees) but pressure wash will be regular practice anyway. Thanks for all your suggestions and I will take all on board, especially sandstone ideas. I don't this I want this house to look pretentious, but how can I describe that, I am after some subtle "wow" factor or something a bit different, but it must look like we knew what we are doing and YES, I want it to look like high quality build and not a transportable house or kit home. The house rectangle is so simple that I worry it may have that boring factor in its looks and that is why I am looking for some ideas. My problem is a tendency to overthink but I hope I will find a balance at some point :) At this stage I think: galvanised tin everywhere (or that zincalum), rusty steel posts, aluminum windows with timber look, sandstone features around main door and sandstone chimney. We had a big flood last year and the spot never goes under water, its on high grounds even though it is only meters from the river.

Great house design! I️ like the arches in the drawing rather than the 3D render however I️ don’t think that’s the only thing going on. The staircase leading up to it looks really heavy and narrow. I️ feel like the house is getting squeezed and it’s holding its breath! The rest of the design is clearly anchored into the site but the combo of tight rigid staircase, high arches and the vertical exposed bricks mean the front is out of proportion. Maybe make sure the arches are “wider” as per the drawing and perhaps the staircase walls are timber like the rest and I️ think the squeeze effect I️ see will be relaxed. I️ really hope this makes sense because when I️ read it back it sounds mad!

Interior , as dreamer says , is personal to you , but also I always think interior colours that I notice are the furniture and fittings -- the seating , the lamps , the art , the blankets , the rugs , the curtains , etc . Exterior though is what everyone sees , which is why I am always amazed that new build suburbs every house is done in 7 shades of bland ( aka greys ) . On a positive note , with your doors and that stone , grey will look cold and horrible on the exterior . On another post , I said what I'd do with the garage door -- add some colour ! And as far as the rest -- go with a couple of warm whites IMO -- while surfmist and similar with a blue tinge are popular , and cream is way too dated , I'd keep away from both . Hard to get a warm white without getting some cream tones I know , but whatever shade you decide on ( sort of a modern antique cream similar to the existing colour would be a good starting point , or even a slight mushroomy tone ) , do that on the 'sticky out' parts , then a half version around the garage , and then either quarter on the left double height wall , OR go a beigy sandy tone , even a light copper , for contrast . Just 1 thing -- those windows on the left ( both levels ) need 'something' . Personally I think they should have been charcoal or bronze , but too late now , so maybe 40-60mm of charcoal around the outside of each window , with the windows as they are in that white or cream -- just something to lift that area . Another option that would work may be battens in the same timber tones as your doors , probably double height -- 5 or 6 over each pair of windows . It should n't cut down views and light too much , it will 'finish' that side better , and of course ties the whole design in better .