If you don’t like the fence then remove it. It doesn’t really fit in with the era of the house. Returning a window to that blank wall would improve the look of the house. It currently looks odd and unfriendly. Windows improve your street presence. Choose windows in keeping with the rest of the house. Also think about orientation. If the front is facing west you’ll get harsh western light in summer heating up that room unless you have vertical shading. It might be why they bricked it up in the first place. Which brings me to the awning to the right of the house. It is what makes that window look odd. It would greatly improve the look of the house if it was removed, but if your house faces west you might regret it. Really think hard before rendering. Bricks are virtually maintenance free. Render will require ongoing maintenance. And there is the potential to look like you’re trying to turn the house into something it’s not rather than embracing it. As trends go, brick is back and render is on the way out. Not that you should always follow trends. Your money might be better spent on landscaping and other things that will improve the amenity. Congratulations on the new house. It’s very exciting.

I really feel for you. I had a similar experience when a neighbour recommended someone she knew who was 'really good'! He was extremely lazy and, apparently, suffering from depression and he had split up with his girlfriend! He did a dreadful job which took a week - because he was too depressed to work on some days - he only did about half the job and I wasn't impressed. It has ruined my relationship with my neighbour because she knew him to be really good. She won't even come into my place - I assume she doesn't want to see the mess he created! To top it all off (I had paid him cash - fortunately only half of what he 'wanted' (not 'earned') so he wouldn't be paying tax on it )- I didn't get a receipt. He also took my house keys so I had to have the locks replaced. Such a mess and then, I had some tradies through a couple of weeks later for an unrelated job and they asked me when I was getting the place painted? When I told them it had just been done, they really didn't know where to look. I seem to constantly get ripped off, so I'm not getting much done any more - too expensive and depressing.

Hi there, straight away your predicament says to me WALL BED! The Europeans have are pros at living in tiny spaces that have to be multi use. There are some amazing wall beds that combine multi use functions like lounge/bed/office and take up very little space as they go against one wall leaving the remaining space free (just keep in mind you will need space to lower the bed when required). If you are in Australia try The Comfort Shop for some of the best multi-use wall beds that are italian made, they are pricey but worth it if you truly want a room that can be versatile (below are some of their better options, sorry some of the images are very small)

Have a you a block of land already? Which part of the block faces north? If you are just looking at facades, then yes it is personal opinion. The orientation of the home to get as much winter sun into living areas is very important. Do not look at designs of an actual plan until you have a block. Then the shape of the block and the correct orientation will dictate the facade, not the other way around. I’m in Perth, and summit homes is an excellent builder. They have been successful for about 40 years, and are always adapting design and their building products to current building requirements.