Hi Ang, I thought I'd follow up my earlier comment with pictures of before and after of pine cupboards I specified to be painted in a budget makeover. My clients tell me people presumed they had purchased brand new cabinetry, so startling was the makeover. Somehow I have put the "after" on the left and "before" image on the right!

Get the professional sander guys in to repair the living areas and kitchen but don't go too dark with the stain as it will kill the lovely grain in the matai. I'm thinking a couple of tones richer than the timber knots showing in your photo, definitely no yellow tone at all. In NZ stepping on to carpet especially in a kiwi winter is so much nicer than a cold floor board shock!!! A nice area rug for the lounge and you're done.

The roof will be a dark grey/charcoal colour. The gutters are an off white colour, windows are white and we have cream brick all the way around. I am unsure what colour to paint it. I want to keep away from green because my house is surrounded by a sea of green. My husband thinks a light grey along with a new timber front door.

Looking at the bench , I assume that aged look is what you are going for ? How artistic are you ? I'm thinking you'd carry on in a similar vein -- paint the trim in white , but while its still damp ( so within say 30 minutes ) dab on some off-white and even buttery cream , using a sponge , in a bit of a 'rub' pattern . Likewise , I quite like the faded blue jeans look on the sill -- thats a bit harder to do , but maybe a cream base , then thin the blue with turps or water , and also sponge it on , but basically in solid rubs , like you were nuggetting your shoes .