My other bush of Rhodys, taken today, I'm on top of the steps, it's about 6 ft. I've cut them back each year, they were huge when I moved in. Not good to have huge bushes near the house if there's a bushfire. The first bush has finished flowering. It's a hotter pink.

There's some great ideas there . The first thing that stands out is that pipe handrail downstairs -- I hate them with a vengence . Remove it , extend the step to fill the space , with 1 or maybe 2 small full-width steps . Just me , I'd do in charcol or black non-glossy 400 x 400 tiles . Most of the windows are black framed , and look okay in my opinion . Paint the upstairs balistrade in black or charcoal -- will tie it in and even though the style is dated , I don't think it would matter -- it would then look like part of the overall concept . I like the English White of the front door , but here's where I'd get colourful -- do the door jamb and the diamonds in the brightest citrus orange you can , and then carry it to the garage door ! The garage door surround ( including the 3 window surrounds above it ) I would paint in charcoal or black . And here's probably the most controversial part -- leave the awnings , but also paint them in Citrus Orange , with the ridges on them in a beige , maybe veering towards an apricot ! This will really lift everything visually IMO , the orange brick will tie in and bland in without looking overdone , the Bright Orange and mainly charcoal or black is modern but not too modern , with the English White door breaking everything while still having Bright Ornage to tie it all in . There looks to be a Butterscotch Orange gate to the left of the house -- obviously , you would repaint that in the brighter orange too , to look cohesive , but you already see how it looks more exciting than the Burgundy Red existing colours . Which leaves 1 thing I don't like the colour of -- the top fascia board or gutter . I suspect Vitamin C Orange would be too much , so probably play it safe , and go either charcoal , or a lighter greeny/grey to match the roof tiles . Probably not what everyone would do -- but that's what I would do with that pallette !

It is 'of a certain era' , and without spending big $$$ , that's always going to be the base , and why not ? I'd take the cue from the lower brickwork , and do the windowsills and gutters in a tone thats more charcoal than brown , but with a slight brown aftertaste . Likewise , I'd redo the upper level in weatherboard , whether its painted , coated , synthetic , but personally I wouldn't mix styles -- scyon or render done in that orange tone will look like an obvious add-on ( yes , I know , the well-worn boards do that too , but look at how the concrete railing has come up with a paint ) . Basically , keep it looking like up-dated period IMO . Basically , get rid of all the green , and the awnings , and work with the orange , the 'interesting' aspect of the brown , the roof , and the small bit of white .

Hi Nicko I wouldn't be planting ficus beside a driveway. The lilly pillies I've grown only have flowers/fruit once a year - if you see flowers/fruit as a disadvantage. (Ficus also drop fruit.) They don't mind a lot of pruning, grow quickly, are evergreen so will be a screen all year round, and have soft foliage if your car does brush against them. Some varieties have been selected to be narrow. Also look for psyllid resistant varieties, though maybe that's not a problem in Geelong? I've grown Slim Callistemon (a bottlebrush) in a narrow space, and that would be worth considering . https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/native-shrubs-groundcovers/slim-callistemon-is-a-great-hedge-for-tight-planting-areas-native-shrubs-ground-covers/ Kath