What a fantastic architecture. When you do the brick, if you stain it with masonry /concrete stain you won't have the same issues of maintenance as with paint. They will spray it evenly - through you will have to select a deeper color - either taupe (brown-gray) or a straight charcoal. Love your windows and the classic angled railing. I think a dark gray on the siding will make the orange brick jump even more. What bothers me is the white (railing, fascia, eaves) juxtaposed with the earth toned stuff. So I would recommend camel tones - for the siding - something like http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6108-latte/ and the hopsack next darker tone for the garage door. Use the lighter tan for trim that is now white - http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6107-nomadic-desert/ Use the darkest tone if you are painting concrete steps. If you think you will stain your brick charcoal, then the white eaves and trim are probably right, and you may not want to paint it tan now and then go back. If your brick were charcoal, then I would block out the rest in grays and blue grays - leave the white eaves, but take the railing and posts charcoal too. A blue gray door - like sw smoky blue.

We are in the process of painting every room (3 floors total - UGH). We spent $250 at Lowe's and bought a Graco 0.375-HP Stationary Airless Paint sprayer (model 257025). Worth EVERY stinking penny we paid. Prior to this, we had a Graco HVLP hand-held sprayer that wasn't worth the proverbial "plug nickel". I bought the extension "wand" for our Airless sprayer (we have 9 foot ceilings - otherwise I do NOT recommend it). Bought a smaller tip that sprays 6" wide.... it is MUCH easier for me to control the smaller spray pattern. Maybe by the time I hit floor #3 in painting I'll be using the wider tip that comes with the unit! lol Oh, I use the wide tip NOW when I'm applying the primer - NOT the main colors. Have you every used a paint sprayer? If not, do some research! Most everyone "pro" advises "back-rolling" as you spray (YouTube videos about this too). Blessings to you! Amy

I don't know how hot it gets in Auckland in summer (I've only ever been to NZ in winter!) but if it gets hot, then go for a pale colour. Dark roofs should be kept for cold places!

Something like this would be great!