I like the idea of your mid to dark grey colour scheme, particularly as there's a hit of grey in your bricks. And the plan for decking over entry will make for a beautiful warm entry; I love the mix of materials. I take your meaning about potential decking extending out from entry along house front and around to the back entertainment patio as possibly looking strange. But, IF you plan to also deck the entertaining patio, I don't think it would look strange having the perimeter decking narrow. But I should ask, how narrow would it be? Just as an example, we have continuous decking along the north, east and west sides of our house. The narrowest path, which is about 10 metres long, is only 92 cms wide and leads from laundry room door to master suite decking with a see-thru gate delineating the two areas.

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 !

The three things I like are the bricks , the tiles , and the overall style and even 'class' of the place . What I dislike is the yellowy beige ( in fact it has a pink tinge in some lights ) -- shocking haha ! And likewise that blue doesn't suit . For a starter , I'd do everything ( yes , the fence and pillars and caps -- everything ) that is beigey in a crisper white . The blue probably depends on your preference -- a darker almost royal blue may look okay , similarly so may a charcoal ( remember , the sharp white will contrast , and bring out the brick and tile tones too ) . Even a nice orange -- citrus doesn't suit the house style , but apricot is too wimpy against the bricks IMO ) . Fresh and crisp and clean with a sense of style .

It’s like wanting curly hair. I look at my house and it’s a 50.’ S bungalow and has been bagged and painted. I bought it that way 20 years ago love it and can’t imagine it not like that. I look at the house down the road, same vintage single storey and they have done a faux French provincial update to facade even adding parapet walls hiding the original roof line. Someone likes that, but it ain’t me. But I don’t own it so they can do what they like and I can look the other way. People have been painting, bagging and rendering brick for a long time and it’s not brought the world down. Long and short. If you like it do it.