You can get any colour paint you like in any strength - 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or full - its only a colour, so they will mix it to your request. Have you made yourselves a colour board? if not, you will need to get all your selection colours together and then go to bunnings or a paint shop and get some sample pots of the colours you are debating. (yes it will cost to get sample pots, but seriously you need to do it - and get the varying strengths in the same colour as well). If you are worried about the render colour marking, go the 1/2 strength on the render and 1/4 on the mouldings. Your Wow factor will come with your varying textures - brickwork/render and trims/timber doors, and the wrought iron. I'm guessing you have exterior lighting? some beautiful exterior lights will be the icing on the cake.

Sorry for the delay coming back to you all and thanks for all the input so far! We had our second baby just after posting this so have been distracted since :-) Thanks for all the suggestions and photos I think you are all spot on and I just need to get rid of the terracotta and brown as much as possible. I've got some colour test tins from bunnings so when I can I'm going to try out the following scheme and will post back: Windows - Really not sure? Black/White/Silver? Roof - Monument or Woodland Grey Garage doors - Monument or Woodland Grey Gutters - Monument or Woodland Grey Fascia - Shale grey Eaves/poles - Shale grey Downpipes - Monument or Woodland Grey Driveway/Tiled area - Respray or stencil in some sort of mid grey (the tiles are all cracked anyway). Something like attached. Back paving - Adbri Eurostone in Zurich - http://www.adbrimasonry.com.au/homeowner/paving/see-all-paving/euro-stone - photo attached Couple of questions: Can you paint split face block work and it sticks ok? I didn't think you could if not will render I love exposed aggregate but didn't think you could recoat in this format? It doesn’t seem that common in Sydney compared to Melbourne. Really not sure on window colour and would love some ideas? Other things: Definitely planning on getting an awning once new pavers are down Windows I will get quotes to replace but if too expensive will get a specialist painter for now Zurich is on the right. It's a light grey paver with an exposed aggregate. Available in 400 x 400 and 600 x 400 Cheers, Frank

Hi mutcherson, Having once owned in this type of development myself, quite often even the landscaping has to be unified. We, new to this style of living, bought and started to put up a garden shed, within our own side yard, and we got a knock at the door, you need approval for that, some neighbours upset, they had a meeting and they eventually let us go ahead! Judging by your photo, showing your side sliding door, it looks as though your front yard is private? if that is the case, you can probably plant as you wish, we did, we had more of a cottage garden, but the overall development landscaping in the public areas was more Australian natives style. So add lots of different height and colourful pots. Then pick a spot, close to your front door, to add a nice bench for relaxing, sunning yourself in winter, reading and putting on and taking off of shoes, perhaps some outdoor bright scatter cushions to make it even more comfy. Also, if your garden is large enough, perhaps make a little area out of recycled bricks layed in a circle, place a small setting of round table and chairs and add a colourful umbrella, nice for visitors to share a coffee or for you to read the Sunday papers. Around the garden, plant taller plants with underplanting of variegated foliage or colourful flowers, what about some lemons, which you could grow espalier style up your fence/s, what about a small potting bench or storage of somesort? I have seen some small garden sheds in the shape of a guard box, which can be brightly coloured which would be quirky! What about buying and hanging some chimes (not the loud type though). Finally, add a nice piece of sculpture or art on the wall next to your front door, this will all help make it YOUR space! You can do all or some of these suggestions, as long as the overall effect is not too busy. You enjoy your new home.

It appears various updates have been made without regard to original proportions or contemporary good looks. The façade would look better balanced if the colour of the barge boards in left half of image was repeated in the other right half e.g. along leading edge of the verandah roof where any original guttering would have been more visible, I think. That downpipe could be re-angled and repositioned so it is not so visible. (I paid to have this done after a non-consultative plumber gave me an ugly arrangement at the corner of a roofed deck.) Was that front window originally broader? It looks out of proportion as it is. I'd like to see a broader, timber-framed window. Also, I'm guessing there would have been a gable above the window. And possibly a timber awning (depending upon aspect). Front steps could be broader and better looking and have timber handrails. I'd avoid decorative fretwork unless local houses that are of the same age and in original condition have decorative trims. It could look like a frilly add on. Best wishes for whatever you decide.