White Windows would be great - would give definition and break up brickwork For garage, black against brown brick is a bit harsh - just built thought black Windows but went white with brown brick and ironstone garage door and red front door!! But manor red and ironstone colours match flecks of colours in my bricks

Is your home double brick. If double brick, then the external walls are double brick. In Perth we have the red internal utility brick, then the chosen colour of face brick on the outside. If it is not, it may be because building on the boundary, you will require a double brick parapet wall. This is for fire safety and strength. what your seeing maybe the internal walls being built on the boundary. Then the external wall will be built in your chosen brick. If not sure, consult with your builder liaison officer. It's great to get educated on how your home will be built.

It is getting a bit dated in the colour scheme , BUT I'd keep it substantially as it is , with that yellowy beige . Grey is trendy , but it doesn't suit the bricks , you shouldn't paint the bricks , and it will be dated in 10 years anyway . The 2 upstairs windows look substantial , because of the shutters , whereas IMO the lower smaller windows looks plain by comparison , so I would add narrow shutters . I can't make out the exact colour of the other shutters , I think it is green , but I'd go a slightly greeny/charcoal , and do all the shutters in that , but I'd also do that downstairs door too -- at least I would if it is white , not glass with net curtains , and I'm not sure which it is ? I'd also do the garage door in that darker greeny/charcoal too , and the gutters . While on that colour scheme , I'd do a wooden fence by the rubbish bins too , and obviously paint/stain in that dark shade too . And carrying on , I'd do the steel gates on the left the same . All the block fences I'd go for an off-white , just to differentiate it from the house . The last bit of painting I'd do is the actual front door , and I'd second HU's bright and happy colours -- bright red or orange or yellow , maybe a modern blue or green . The downstairs door area looks like it is paved right to the door , so I'd do 4 or 5 small low colourful pots , with plants , about where that pillar is a metre or so out from the wall -- basically , the edge of the overhang . I'd get pots in a similar colour to the 'other' ( main ) front door . This slightly colourful line , combined with the darker door , should make the main door that much more obvious . The rest is landscaping obviously , and a letterbox .

Window coverings are an important part of keeping your home cool and heated in summer and winter. The cost should of been part of the budget originally. So areas like an oversized pantry, or an oversized walk in robe, could be reduced to allow for more important details that impact the long term comfort of the home. I suggest you do all window coverings correctly according to their orientation and use. Even if you have a temporary window treatment until you can afford the correct coverings for long term benefit.