Linda the image above uses a pediment type of scenario, and creates a recessed gable, however with one side of your home having a parapet and the other, a floating gable without a soffits, I think it wouldn't work. I think the strapping i showed yours easiest and most effective as it won't look like fixing an error. As for no shingles, they are my first pick, but very particular and you lean either way, I'm for them, but only real ones, not the fc product ones which have wrong proportions all round. I could only suggest using a batten arrangement in the same way as your gable, otherwise the lining boards look best. These can be sheets, so fixing would be easy. It would tie in with your porch roof being lining boards too. The main thing for me is that window awning, put architraves to the exterior of that window frame, paint it the dark blue colour, to conceal the white window, that's why I suggested white timber details, to make sense of this error.

Hi Jen and everyone else who has made a comment. You always need to consider your personal use in a space, if there is a lot of water involved tiles a definitely the best choice. Timber look alike tiles just like the Hampton style is a bit fashionable at present like many things were before. What is really important is to really love what you select or what someone may select for you. If you love the selections then they will work for you for many years to come and if they are proportionately correct and balanced and not clashing with other choices; suiting your climatic and general environment and effectively in harmony with there surrounds then these choices will work for others too down the track. Poor choices and poor design which is not well thought through is really the true reason for why things seem date or they just do not work. So all in all Jen timber tiles may be the best choice based on what you have told us about your space.

I would look through the many images on this app under a heading like "cathedral ceilings " and find a picture or two that you like the feel of , then follow that design... The feel of the earthy wood ceiling and a stark painted white one is miles apart... Only you are going to know which one feels right for you.. For me I would keep the ceiling and floors wood , render the inside brick and then decorate... I love an earthy feel.. There is also real stone cladding you could cover brick with. Have fun :)

only way to be confident about prices is to consult local professionals (interior designers, architects, home designers and draftspeople) could all make suggestions and depending on time involved expect to start from about $2000 for very basic plans drawn up from your own ideas....but i have to repeat it's always best to consider the whole house even if the work has to be done in stages eg a new deck sounds excellent but, is there enough space available to add a new garage at the front underneath the deck and use the old garage as a pool or guest house or perhaps add a new master bedroom suite to the front with the new deck to change the front of the house to your preferred style?...HOUZZERS have lots of free advice to consider as well as consulting the professionals and my first suggestion is to add a handbasin to the toilet to keep a separate powder room and rearrange the bathroom to add the more generous bath as well as a shower