Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am amazed at the response! I think we will go ahead and change the benchtops, replace the cooktop with stainless steel, a new rangehood, splashbacks and new door and drawer handles and possibly a new sink and taps. We will consider painting the beam and post and add a modern blind to the window. Then if we are still not happy, maybe we can rethink the painting of the cupboards? Actually, I like the timber, so if these changes work I will be more than happy to leave them as they are. Our floor tiles are relatively new and are throughout the entire downstairs area. Also, the wall paint we know is not the right tone (for the floor tiles) but is in good nick and will be remaining until we are ready to repaint. Rome wasn't built in a day but I will add photos when we start the process and you can follow our progress. Thanks again

Hi, Dulux Precision Surface Preparation maximum strength adhesion primer (water based) is the paint we use. Can paint over glass, pretty much anything. We we often come upon odd surfaces that need painting instead of replacing and have found this works a treat. Takes 7 days to cure to maximum adhesion but will dry quickly as per normal paints and can be recoated. It comes as a white so you could just paint it straight on. Cheers

Hi I would firstly take a look at other houses in the area and see what they have done. To freshen up this facade I would go dark, I don’t think white would stand out on the woodwork if you are not planning on painting the house. Have a look at iron/charcoal colour and perhaps go a high gloss for the door in the same colour or black for real impact, you could even choose a bright red or green to make a statement.

@dreamer yes I was thinking a simple timber balustrade would look better than a more modern one. we are planing on putting a covered deck off the back with a similar balustrade too. @fianou Luca I love fixed upper. They were the reason we bought this house as I could see the potential. it is much harder than it looks go bring a look all together. I was contemplating painting the brick lighter like a wash but to scared to vomit incase it looks terrible and it is an expensive job to do. I was even thinking of putting shutters on the windows downstairs to give the front some texture